Bang Bang Chicken

Crispy, crunchy, sweet-heat perfection! Bang Bang Chicken features panko-crusted chicken tenderloins fried until golden brown, then drizzled (or tossed!) in a creamy, spicy-sweet homemade bang bang sauce. It’s irresistible as an appetizer, main dish, or party favorite.

Ingredients

Chicken

1½ lb (700 g) chicken tenderloins (or chicken breast cut into strips)
½ cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
2 tbsp milk or water
1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
Oil, for deep frying (vegetable or canola)

Bang Bang Sauce

½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sweet chili sauce
1–2 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
1 tbsp honey or sugar
1 tsp rice vinegar or lime juice (optional, for balance)

Instructions

1. Prep the Chicken

Pat chicken dry.
Set up a dredging station:
1. Bowl 1: flour + salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika
2. Bowl 2: eggs whisked with milk
3. Bowl 3: panko breadcrumbs

2. Bread the Chicken

Coat chicken in flour → dip in egg → press into panko until fully coated.
Place on a tray and rest 5–10 minutes (helps coating stick).

3. Fry

Heat oil to 350°F / 175°C.
Fry chicken in batches for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
Drain on paper towels.

4. Make the Bang Bang Sauce

Whisk all sauce ingredients until smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust spice or sweetness.

5. Serve

Drizzle sauce over chicken or toss lightly for full coating.
Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Flavor Tips

Extra spicy: add more sriracha or a pinch of cayenne
Sweeter sauce: add more honey
Tangier: add extra vinegar or lime juice

Serving Ideas

Over jasmine rice or coconut rice
In tacos or wraps
With fries, slaw, or a crisp cucumber salad

Storage & Reheating

Store: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days
Reheat: Air fryer or oven at 375°F (190°C) for best crispiness
Sauce: Keep separate for best texture

Nutrition (Approx. per serving)

Calories: ~480
Protein: ~32 g
Fat: ~28 g
Carbs: ~32 g

Q & A

Can I bake or air-fry instead?
Yes!

Air fryer: 380°F (193°C), 10–12 min, flip halfway
Bake: 425°F (220°C), 18–22 min, flip once

Can I use shrimp instead of chicken?
Absolutely—adjust cooking time to 2–3 minutes per side.

Is Bang Bang Chicken very spicy?
It’s mildly spicy. You control the heat with sriracha.

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.