If you love Bang Bang Shrimp, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Bang Bang Chicken! Crispy panko-crusted chicken tenderloins are deep-fried to golden perfection and drizzled with a creamy, sweet, and spicy homemade bang bang sauce. Whether served as an appetizer or over rice for a satisfying meal, this recipe is always a hit!
Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Chicken
- Crispy outside, juicy inside – thanks to panko breadcrumbs and a flavorful buttermilk coating.
- Customizable heat – turn up the spice with extra Sriracha or cayenne.
- Versatile serving options – great for dinner, game day snacks, or party platters.
- Air fryer and oven-friendly – healthier alternatives without sacrificing crunch.
What is Bang Bang Chicken?
Inspired by the wildly popular Bang Bang Shrimp, this version uses chicken tenderloins coated in a seasoned batter and panko, then fried until crisp. The real star is the bang bang sauce—a crave-worthy combo of mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, and Sriracha that brings tang, heat, and sweetness to every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
(or slice chicken breasts into strips) - 1 cup buttermilk (full-fat preferred)
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 2 cups plain panko breadcrumbs
- Canola oil, for frying
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha (or more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons honey
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken
1. Make the Bang Bang Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey until smooth. Set aside or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
2. Prep the Chicken
In a mixing bowl, combine buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, egg, Sriracha, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Whisk until smooth. Add the chicken and toss to coat completely.
Place panko breadcrumbs on a shallow plate. One at a time, remove each chicken tender from the batter, shake off the excess, and press into the panko to coat. Set aside on a clean plate.
3. Fry the Chicken
Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to 365°F. Working in batches, fry the chicken tenders for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden and fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
4. Serve
Drizzle or toss the crispy tenders in bang bang sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately—over rice, in wraps, or as-is!
Air Fryer Instructions
Want a lighter version? Air fry instead!
- Follow the same coating instructions.
- Spray chicken with cooking spray and place in the air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd).
- Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Drizzle with bang bang sauce and enjoy!
Oven-Baked Instructions
You can also bake the chicken:
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Place coated chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until cooked through (165°F internal temp).
Note: Baking won’t give you quite the same crisp, but it’s still delicious!
Storage Tips
- Fridge: Store cooled chicken in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a zip-top bag or container for up to 6 months.
- Reheat: Use an oven or air fryer to keep that crispy texture!
More Bang Bang Variations
If you love the sauce, try it with:
- Bang Bang Shrimp
- Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
- Bang Bang Salmon
It’s a versatile sauce that upgrades everything it touches!
More Chicken Recipes to Try
- Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
- Cheesy Bacon Chicken Stuffed Shells
- Jerk Chicken
- Chicken Cacciatore
- Butter Chicken
- Cheesy Chicken Casserole
Bang Bang Chicken Recipe Card
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 6 mins
Total Time: 26 mins
This crispy Bang Bang Chicken is deep-fried, air-fried, or baked to golden perfection, then smothered in a bold sweet-and-spicy bang bang sauce. Perfect for dinner or sharing!