Looking for a dish that delivers big on crunch, flavor, and heat? Meet the internet’s favorite: Bang Bang Chicken Bites! These crispy, juicy chicken pieces are tossed in a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce that hits all the right notes—sweet, tangy, and fiery. Whether you’re hosting a party, prepping a quick dinner, or just satisfying a craving, this viral chicken recipe is guaranteed to be a hit.
These spicy chicken bites are not only easy to make but also versatile enough to serve as an appetizer, main dish, or even part of a rice bowl or salad. If you’re chasing a recipe that’s trending across social media and still delivers real kitchen results, Bang Bang Chicken Bites are your next go-to meal.
Not only is it flavorful and visually appealing, but the preparation process is beginner-friendly and adaptable. You don’t need advanced cooking skills or fancy ingredients. Just a few simple steps, and you’re ready to wow your family, guests, or even yourself with something that tastes like it came from a restaurant.
Recipe Overview
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Cuisine: Asian-American Fusion
- Serving Size: Serves 4
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Flavor & Fuel (aka What You’re Really Eating!)
Each serving is loaded with flavor and just the right kick:
- Total Calories: ~420
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 22g
- Fat: 24g
- Sugar: 6g
- Spice Meter: Medium Heat
Tip: Dial up the heat with extra Sriracha, or keep it kid-friendly by cutting it in half.
Want to lighten it up? Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lower-fat sauce. Want it crispier? Let the breaded chicken rest for 5 minutes before frying. There are so many small tweaks that can make a big difference based on your dietary goals or taste preferences.
Why You’ll Love Bang Bang Chicken Bites
- Crispy Coating: Golden perfection with every bite.
- Creamy Heat: That sauce is EVERYTHING—sweet, tangy, and spicy.
- Quick Cook Time: Ready in under 40 minutes.
- Party-Worthy or Weeknight-Easy: Great for all occasions.
- Air Fryer Approved: Lighter but just as crispy.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal-prepping for the week, these spicy chicken bites with bang bang sauce are a total win.
They also pack well in lunch containers and reheat beautifully, making them an excellent option for next-day meals. If you’re feeding picky eaters, you can even serve the sauce on the side and let everyone dip or drizzle as they like.
Ingredients for Bang Bang Chicken Bites
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tsp white vinegar)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Vegetable oil or canola oil for frying
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1–2 tbsp Sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp honey (optional for extra sweetness)
Optional Garnishes:
- Sliced green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Lime wedges for squeezing
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
Soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk for 15–30 minutes. This helps the chicken stay moist and juicy. If you’re using milk and vinegar, mix and let it sit for 5 minutes before adding the chicken.
2. Prepare the Coating
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cornstarch is the secret to an extra-light and crispy crust.
3. Dredge the Chicken
Take the chicken out of the marinade and dredge each piece in the flour mixture. Press lightly to ensure the coating sticks well. Set aside on a plate while the oil heats.
4. Fry Until Crispy
Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches, turning to cook evenly for 3–4 minutes per side. Don’t overcrowd the pan—this ensures crispy results.
Air Fryer Method: Spray the coated chicken with oil and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through. This version is lower in fat but still delightfully crunchy.
5. Make the Bang Bang Sauce
In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey until smooth. Taste and adjust spice level to your preference. If you want a thinner sauce, add a splash of lime juice or water.
6. Sauce It Up and Serve
Toss or drizzle the chicken bites with the bang bang sauce. Serve immediately with optional garnishes. You can also serve the sauce on the side for dipping—perfect for picky eaters or keeping the bites crisp longer.
Tips for the Best Bang Bang Chicken
- Use Chicken Thighs: For maximum juiciness and flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Cornstarch: It adds extra crunch to your coating.
- Serve Immediately: The crispiness is best right after saucing.
- Double the Sauce: It’s so addictive—you’ll want extra for dipping or drizzling.
- Keep Warm in Oven: If cooking in batches, keep finished pieces warm on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven.
- Go Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend and rice flour instead of all-purpose flour.
Fun Variations and Add-Ons
Bang Bang Shrimp
Swap chicken for shrimp. Coat and cook the same way—just reduce fry time to about 2 minutes per side.
Lettuce Wraps
Spoon chicken bites into crisp butter lettuce leaves. Top with shredded carrots and cucumbers for a fresh, crunchy meal.
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Layer chicken bites over jasmine rice or cauliflower rice with shredded cabbage, avocado slices, and a drizzle of sauce.
Vegetarian Version
Substitute cauliflower florets or tofu cubes for the chicken. Follow the same breading and cooking process.
Taco Style
Tuck the chicken bites into small tortillas and top with slaw, avocado, and extra sauce for spicy bang bang tacos.
What to Serve with Bang Bang Chicken Bites
Balance the heat and richness with these side dish ideas:
- Steamed jasmine rice or garlic fried rice
- Asian cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame oil
- Stir-fried green beans or bok choy with garlic
- Crispy vegetable spring rolls or potstickers
- Cold soba noodles tossed with sesame dressing
You can also serve these bites on a party platter with toothpicks and a bowl of extra bang bang sauce for dipping—perfect finger food!
Final Thoughts
These Bang Bang Chicken Bites are everything you want in a craveable, shareable, and easy-to-make meal. Whether you fry or air-fry, serve them at parties or pack them for lunch, one thing is for sure: people will ask for the recipe.
They’re quick enough for weeknights but impressive enough for special occasions. The sweet-spicy-creamy combo of the bang bang sauce turns even the simplest chicken bite into something extraordinary.
So go ahead—pin it, print it, make it tonight. Once you taste that creamy, spicy bang bang sauce clinging to golden chicken bites, there’s no going back.
You’ve officially found your new favorite chicken recipe.
Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Bites with Spicy Sweet Sauce
Course: LunchCuisine: Asian-American Fusion, Asian, AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings20
minutes15
minutes420
kcal35
minutesThese crispy Bang Bang Chicken Bites are juicy, golden-fried chicken pieces tossed in a creamy, spicy-sweet chili mayo sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, parties, or as a crave-worthy appetizer, they’re quick to make and even better when served with rice or wrapped in lettuce. This viral recipe brings restaurant-style flavor right to your kitchen.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tsp white vinegar)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Vegetable oil or canola oil for frying
- For the Bang Bang Sauce:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
1–2 tbsp Sriracha (adjust to taste)
1 tbsp honey (optional for extra sweetness)
- Optional Garnishes:
Sliced green onions
Toasted sesame seeds
Lime wedges for squeezing
Directions
- Marinate the Chicken
- Soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk for 15–30 minutes. This helps the chicken stay moist and juicy. If you’re using milk and vinegar, mix and let it sit for 5 minutes before adding the chicken
- Prepare the Coating
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cornstarch is the secret to an extra-light and crispy crust.
- Dredge the Chicken
- Take the chicken out of the marinade and dredge each piece in the flour mixture. Press lightly to ensure the coating sticks well. Set aside on a plate while the oil heats.
- Fry Until Crispy
- Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches, turning to cook evenly for 3–4 minutes per side. Don’t overcrowd the pan—this ensures crispy results.
Air Fryer Method: Spray the coated chicken with oil and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through. This version is lower in fat but still delightfully crunchy. - Make the Bang Bang Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey until smooth. Taste and adjust spice level to your preference. If you want a thinner sauce, add a splash of lime juice or water.
- Sauce It Up and Serve
- Toss or drizzle the chicken bites with the bang bang sauce. Serve immediately with optional garnishes. You can also serve the sauce on the side for dipping—perfect for picky eaters or keeping the bites crisp longer.
Notes
- Made It? Loved It?
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