Bang Bang Chicken is panko-crusted chicken tenderloins deep-fried to a crispy golden brown, drizzled with homemade bang bang sauce.
Bang Bang Chicken
Yes, we all know about Bang Bang Shrimp, but with the sauce being a sweet and spicy delight, it’s a shame not to use it on other foods!
Crispy chicken tenders before coating. Can be served this way instead of coated!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken: Look for boneless skinless chicken tenderloins (tenders). Or, you could cut chicken breasts into strips, although that would not actually be chicken tenderloins, which are smaller pieces of meat located on the underside of the chicken breast. Either way, this recipe will be your new favorite way to serve chicken!
Bang Bang Sauce: The simple sauce is both sweet and spicy. And I have both homemade mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce you can use in the sauce. Depending on how hot you want the sauce, you can always add more Sriracha. You can make the sauce ahead of time; it will last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
buttermilk:Look for full-fat buttermilk to use to coat the chicken pieces. I have a homemade buttermilk recipe you could use if you don’t have any on hand. To make the breading a little spicier, add more cayenne pepper and Sriracha sauce to the buttermilk mixture.
Panko: Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb that is lighter and will stay crispier longer. Look for plain panko in the Asian food aisle of the grocery store. You could get away with using regular breadcrumbs or cornflakes, but the texture and crunch will be different.
Oil: After frying the chicken in canola or vegetable oil, don’t throw out the oil.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken in the Air Fryer
If you would rather use your air fryer for this recipe, you will still get crispy chicken, but with no mess from oil. Follow the same instructions up to deep-frying. Then, spray each coated chicken tender with cooking spray. Place a few into the basket of your air fryer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping the tenders over halfway through. And then, drizzle with bang bang sauce and enjoy!
Can I Bake the Chicken in the Oven?
Sure! A third option would be to bake the chicken in the oven. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the coated chicken tenders onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spray with cooking spray and bake for 12-15 minutes, flipping them over halfway through baking. The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. They will not be as crispy as frying them in oil or cooking in an air fryer, but they are still delicious!
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