Description
Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Bites are tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken coated in a flavorful crispy batter and fried to golden perfection. Tossed in a creamy, spicy-sweet Bang Bang sauce, these chicken bites make a perfect appetizer or snack that’s quick to prepare and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 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
For the 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
For Garnish:
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the dry coating mix: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. This mixture will give the chicken its crispy texture and burst of flavor.
- Coat the chicken pieces: Dip each chicken bite into the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off, then thoroughly coat them in the flour mixture. Press the coating onto the chicken to ensure an even, thick layer.
- Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a skillet to a depth suitable for frying and heat it over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking, ideal for crisp frying.
- Fry the chicken: Fry the chicken pieces in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the skillet. Cook each batch for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and crispy on the outside and cooked through inside. Remove and drain on a wire rack or paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Bang Bang sauce: In a separate small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy, adjusting the sriracha to suit your preferred level of spiciness.
- Toss chicken with sauce: Place the fried chicken bites in a large bowl, pour the Bang Bang sauce over them, and toss gently but thoroughly to evenly coat each piece with the flavorful 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 to enjoy the perfect crispy, creamy texture.
Notes
- Use fresh vegetable oil heated to the right temperature to ensure a crispy texture and avoid greasy chicken.
- Adjust the sriracha quantity to control the spiciness level of the Bang Bang sauce.
- For a lighter version, you could bake the coated chicken at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, but frying gives the best crispiness.
- Serve these bites as a fun appetizer, game day snack, or paired with steamed rice and vegetables for a meal.
- Make sure to drain the chicken on a wire rack rather than paper towels for better crisp retention.
