Description
Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Bites are golden fried, tender chicken pieces coated in a crispy flour and cornstarch mixture, then tossed in a creamy, spicy-sweet Bang Bang sauce. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer or snack, these chicken bites are quick to make and sure to please any crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
Garnish
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the dry coating mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined to create the crispy coating.
- Coat the chicken: Dip each bite-sized chicken piece into the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off, then fully coat the chicken in the flour mixture by pressing gently so the coating adheres evenly.
- Heat the oil: Pour enough vegetable oil into a skillet to cover the bottom by about 1/2 inch and heat over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking—ideal frying temperature is about 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the chicken: Working in batches to avoid crowding, fry the coated chicken pieces for 4-5 minutes per batch until they turn golden brown and crispy, and the chicken is cooked through. Remove and drain on a wire rack or paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Make the Bang Bang sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until smooth and well combined, adjusting sriracha to your preferred spice level.
- Toss chicken with sauce: Transfer the crispy chicken to a large bowl and pour the Bang Bang sauce over it. Gently toss until each piece is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions and optional sesame seeds over the coated chicken bites. Serve immediately with extra Bang Bang sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier bites or chicken breasts for leaner texture.
- Frying in batches prevents the oil temperature from dropping, ensuring crispy chicken.
- You can substitute sweet chili sauce with honey or a mild chili sauce for a different flavor profile.
- For less spicy sauce, reduce or omit the sriracha.
- Make sure chicken pieces are uniformly sized for even cooking.
- Storing leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator is best eaten within 2 days; reheat in an air fryer or oven to retain crispiness.
