Description
This Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich features crispy fried chicken cutlets coated in a flavorful blend of spices and paired with a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce. Served on toasted brioche buns with fresh lettuce, tomato, and optional pickles, it’s a satisfying and vibrant American-Asian fusion sandwich perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise (to make 4 thin cutlets)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or lime juice
For the Sandwiches:
- 4 brioche or sandwich buns, toasted
- Lettuce leaves
- Sliced tomato
- Sliced pickles (optional)
- Extra bang bang sauce for spreading
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the chicken cutlets, making sure they are fully submerged, and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator for best flavor and tenderness.
- Prepare the Coating: In another bowl, mix together flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Remove the chicken cutlets from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure a thorough, even coating.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat about one inch of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry the chicken cutlets for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey (or sugar), and rice vinegar (or lime juice) until smooth and creamy. Adjust the spice level to your preference by adding more sriracha if desired.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread a generous amount of bang bang sauce on both the top and bottom halves of the toasted buns. Layer with fresh lettuce leaves, sliced tomato, the crispy fried chicken cutlets, and pickles if using. Drizzle extra sauce over the chicken, then close the sandwich and serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- For a lighter version, try baking or air-frying the chicken instead of frying.
- The bang bang sauce doubles as a delicious dipping sauce for fries or a flavorful slaw dressing.
- Marinating the chicken overnight intensifies the flavor and tenderizes the meat more effectively.
- Adjust the spice level by varying the amount of sriracha and hot sauce used.
