Description
Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Bites feature tender chicken pieces coated in a flavorful spiced batter, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a creamy, spicy-sweet Bang Bang sauce. This quick and easy appetizer or snack packs a satisfying crunch with a kick of heat, garnished with fresh green onions and sesame seeds for an irresistible finish.
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 coating: In a bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined to create the seasoned flour mixture.
- Coat the chicken: Dip each chunk of chicken into the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure it adheres well for a crispy coating.
- Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a skillet to a depth suitable for frying and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot, approximately 350°F if using a thermometer.
- Fry the chicken: Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches, avoiding overcrowding the pan, for about 4-5 minutes per batch until they are golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. Transfer cooked chicken to a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Toss chicken in sauce: Place all fried chicken pieces in a large bowl and pour the Bang Bang sauce over them. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat each bite-sized piece evenly 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
- For extra crispiness, you can double-dip the chicken by repeating the buttermilk and flour coating steps.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha to control the heat level in the Bang Bang sauce.
- Use a digital thermometer to maintain oil temperature for perfectly crispy chicken.
- This recipe works great with either chicken breasts or thighs, depending on your preference for leaner or juicier bites.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and are best enjoyed the same day for optimal crispiness.
