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- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces - 1 cup buttermilk - 1 cup all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste - Oil for deep frying (about 1 inch deep) Crispy Bang Bang Chicken needs juicy chicken thighs. They stay moist and tender. I use buttermilk for marinating. It adds flavor and makes the chicken soft. The coating is key. Flour mixed with spices gives great taste and crunch. - 1/2 cup mayonnaise - 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce - 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to spice level) - 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice - Sliced green onions, for garnish The sauce is creamy and sweet with a kick. Mayonnaise forms the base. Sweet chili sauce adds a nice touch. Sriracha boosts the heat. Lime juice gives a fresh twist. Green onions make it pretty on the plate. You can swap chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer. They cook faster but may dry out. Buttermilk can be replaced with regular milk mixed with vinegar. For the sauce, Greek yogurt works well instead of mayonnaise. Adjust spice levels by adding more or less sriracha. Enjoy mixing flavors to fit your taste! {{ingredient_image_2}} First, take 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Cut them into bite-sized pieces. Place these pieces in a mixing bowl. Pour 1 cup of buttermilk over the chicken. Stir well to coat all the pieces. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes. For the best flavor, you can marinate it overnight. In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1 teaspoon of onion powder. Then, mix in 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika. For some heat, add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Whisk everything together until it is well mixed. Next, heat oil in a deep skillet. Pour in enough oil to reach about 1 inch deep. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. To test if the oil is ready, drop a small bit of the flour mixture into the oil. If it sizzles, it’s hot enough. Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the oil in small batches. Fry them for about 5 to 7 minutes on each side. They should turn golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove them. Place the chicken on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. While the chicken fries, prepare the Bang Bang sauce. In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of sweet chili sauce, and 1 tablespoon of sriracha. Add 1 teaspoon of fresh lime juice for a zesty touch. Stir the mixture until it is smooth. Taste it and adjust the spice level if you like. Once the chicken is crispy and the sauce is ready, it’s time to serve. You can toss the fried chicken pieces in the Bang Bang sauce until they are well coated. Alternatively, serve the sauce on the side for dipping. For a nice presentation, arrange the chicken on a large platter. Garnish with sliced green onions and lime wedges for extra color and zest. Enjoy your delicious meal! To get your chicken nice and crispy, start with marinating. Use buttermilk for at least 30 minutes. This helps tenderize the meat. Next, coat the chicken well with the seasoned flour. Press the flour onto the chicken. This gives it a thicker crust. Fry the chicken in hot oil. The oil should be about 350°F. Fry in small batches to avoid steaming. This keeps the chicken crispy. Lastly, let the fried chicken rest on paper towels. This will remove extra oil and keep it crunchy. Choosing the right oil matters for frying. Use oils with high smoke points. Good options include: - Vegetable oil - Canola oil - Peanut oil These oils can handle high heat without burning. They also add a neutral taste. Avoid olive oil for frying. It can burn easily and change the flavor. You can adjust the spice in your Bang Bang Chicken. Start with the cayenne pepper. Use less for a milder dish. If you want more heat, add extra sriracha to the sauce. Taste as you mix. Lime juice helps balance the heat. For those who love spice, add chopped fresh jalapeños or red pepper flakes. Always taste and adjust to your liking! Pro Tips Marination Time Matters: Allowing the chicken to marinate in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes enhances tenderness and flavor. For the best results, marinate overnight. Perfect Oil Temperature: Use a thermometer to ensure your oil is between 350°F to 375°F. This ensures that the chicken cooks quickly, resulting in a crispy crust without absorbing too much oil. Batch Frying: Fry the chicken in small batches to maintain the oil temperature and achieve even cooking. This prevents the chicken from steaming and ensures maximum crispiness. Customize Your Sauce: Feel free to adjust the levels of sriracha and sweet chili sauce in the Bang Bang sauce to cater to your taste preferences. Adding a touch of honey can also balance the flavors beautifully. {{image_4}} You can enjoy Bang Bang Chicken without frying. For a baked version, follow these steps: - Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). - After marinating, coat the chicken pieces in the flour mix. - Place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. - Spray the chicken lightly with cooking oil. - Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown. This method cuts down on oil and calories while still giving you that crispy texture. You can make a vegetarian version using cauliflower. Here’s how: - Cut a head of cauliflower into bite-sized florets. - Marinate the florets in buttermilk for 30 minutes. - Follow the same coating process as for chicken. - Fry or bake until crispy. You’ll get the same great flavor, but with a veggie twist! The sauce is key to Bang Bang Chicken. You can change it up easily: - For a sweeter sauce, add more sweet chili sauce. - For a tangy kick, increase the lime juice. - To make it smoky, add smoked paprika to the sauce. - If you love garlic, mix in garlic powder. Try these tweaks to find your favorite flavor! To store leftover Bang Bang chicken, let it cool down first. Place the chicken in an airtight container. Make sure to separate the chicken from the sauce if you have any left. This method keeps the chicken crisp. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. When you're ready to enjoy the leftovers, use the oven for best results. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the chicken pieces on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 10-15 minutes. This method helps keep the chicken crispy. You can also use a microwave for quick reheating but it may not keep the crunch. For longer storage, you can freeze Bang Bang chicken. Place the cooled chicken in a freezer-safe bag or container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. Frozen chicken can last up to three months. When you're ready to eat it, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Bang Bang Chicken is a tasty dish made from fried chicken pieces. The chicken is crispy and coated in a spicy, creamy sauce. This dish is popular for its bold flavors and crunchy texture. It is great as an appetizer or a main dish. Yes, you can use chicken breasts. However, chicken thighs are juicier and more flavorful. If you use breasts, watch the cooking time closely. They may cook faster and dry out if overcooked. Serve Bang Bang Chicken hot and crispy on a platter. You can toss it in the sauce or serve the sauce on the side. Garnish with sliced green onions for extra flavor and color. Lime wedges add a zesty touch too. You can keep leftover Bang Bang Chicken in the fridge for up to three days. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. Reheat it in the oven for the best crispiness. Yes, you can make Bang Bang Sauce ahead of time. Store it in a sealed jar in the fridge. It stays fresh for about a week. This makes it easy to whip up the dish quickly when you need it. You learned about the key ingredients in Bang Bang Chicken and its sauce. We discussed step-by-step instructions to make it right. I shared tips for extra crispiness and customizing spice levels. You can explore healthier and vegetarian options too. Finally, I provided storage advice and answered common questions. Try making Bang Bang Chicken for your next meal. You’ll enjoy the crunch and flavor!

Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

Deliciously crispy chicken thighs coated in a flavorful seasoning and tossed in a spicy Bang Bang sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • approximately 1 inch depth Oil for deep frying
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
  • for garnish Sliced green onions

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, add the chicken pieces and pour the buttermilk over them. Stir well to ensure all the chicken is evenly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to overnight for enhanced flavor.
  • In another medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. Whisk thoroughly to mix all the ingredients evenly.
  • After marinating, remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing any excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure a good coating adheres to the chicken pieces.
  • In a deep skillet or frying pan, pour in enough oil to measure about 1 inch in depth. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. To test if the oil is ready for frying, drop a small amount of the flour batter into the oil; if it sizzles immediately, the oil is hot enough.
  • Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil in batches, being cautious not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken until golden brown and crispy, approximately 5-7 minutes per side. Use a slotted spoon to remove each piece from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
  • While the chicken is frying, prepare the Bang Bang sauce. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lime juice. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the spiciness according to your preference.
  • Toss the crispy chicken pieces in the Bang Bang sauce until they are well coated, or serve the sauce on the side for dipping, allowing guests to control their own heat levels.

Notes

For an elegant presentation, arrange the crispy Bang Bang Chicken on a large decorative platter. Garnish with a generous sprinkle of sliced green onions for a vibrant touch. Include lime wedges on the side for an extra zesty kick!
Keyword bang bang, chicken, fried chicken, spicy