Description
Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Bites are golden fried chicken pieces coated in a crunchy coating and tossed in a creamy, spicy, and sweet Bang Bang sauce. This flavorful appetizer or snack is quick to make and perfect for sharing with family or friends.
Ingredients
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 mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined to create a flavorful coating for the chicken bites.
- Coat the chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the buttermilk to moisten, then dredge it in the prepared flour mixture, pressing firmly to ensure a thick, even coating that will crisp up when fried.
- Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a skillet and heat it over medium-high heat until it reaches the proper frying temperature, around 350°F (175°C), ideal for frying the chicken to a crispy golden brown.
- Fry the chicken: Fry the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each batch for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is crispy and golden brown. Remove and drain on a wire rack or paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Bang Bang sauce: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until smooth and well combined, creating the signature creamy and spicy Bang Bang sauce.
- Toss chicken with sauce: Place the crispy fried chicken bites into a large bowl, pour the Bang Bang sauce over them, and toss gently until each piece is evenly coated with the flavorful sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the coated chicken bites for added flavor and a pop of color. Serve immediately with extra Bang Bang sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent soggy coating.
- Adjust the spiciness of the Bang Bang sauce by varying the amount of sriracha according to your taste preference.
- Use a wire rack to drain the fried chicken for crispier results instead of paper towels if possible.
- For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and verify cornstarch is gluten-free.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container and reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.
