Bang Bang Chicken—a crispy, spicy-sweet dish that’s incredibly popular in many Asian-American fusion restaurants. The crispy chicken is tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce made with mayonnaise and sriracha, giving it a perfect balance of heat and richness.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (or thighs)
1 cup buttermilk (or milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp paprika (optional for color)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
2 tbsp sriracha (adjust to your spice preference)
1 tbsp rice vinegar (optional, for a bit of tang)
Garnish (optional):
Chopped green onions
Sesame seeds
Fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions:
Prepare the Chicken:
Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, about 1 to 1.5 inches each.
Place the chicken in a bowl and pour the buttermilk over it. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes in the fridge (or up to 2 hours for better flavor).
Prepare the Breading:
In a shallow dish, combine the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika (if using), salt, and black pepper.
Once the chicken has marinated, remove it from the buttermilk and dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure it’s coated evenly.
Fry the Chicken:
Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or a large pot over medium-high heat. The oil should be around 350°F (175°C).
Working in batches, fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side, depending on size. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Make the Bang Bang Sauce:
In a bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar (if using) until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust the level of heat by adding more sriracha if desired.
Toss the Chicken:
Once all the chicken pieces are fried, transfer them to a large bowl and pour the Bang Bang sauce over the top. Toss gently to coat the chicken in the sauce.
Serve:
Serve the Bang Bang Chicken immediately. Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro if desired
