Crispy Bang Bang Chicken: A Delicious 30-Minute Fix

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Ever have one of those days where you just need a dinner win? You know—something easy, a little indulgent, and guaranteed to make your people pause mid-bite with that “oh wow” look? This Crispy Bang Bang Chicken is that meal. With its golden, crunchy coating and sweet-n-spicy glaze, it’s basically the Beyoncé of weeknight chicken dishes: bold, crowd-pleasing, and stealing the spotlight.

Whether you’re trying to satisfy picky kids, spice up a Friday night dinner, or just treat yourself to something better than takeout, this crispy chicken recipe has your back.

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

Let’s be honest—when it comes to chicken, we’ve all fallen into the “another baked breast” rut. But this crispy bang bang chicken? It’s your kitchen’s comeback moment. Here’s why:

Crispy Outside, Tender Inside: Thanks to a buttermilk soak and a crunchy Panko crust, each bite is juicy perfection.
That Sauce Though: Sweet, spicy, creamy, and just the right amount of kick from Sriracha—your taste buds will thank you.
Better Than Takeout: Faster than waiting on delivery and way more satisfying.

I made this once for a girls’ night, and now it’s a non-negotiable on the menu. Even my friend Lisa, who “doesn’t like spicy food,” was licking her fingers by the end.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s break it down, pantry-style:

For the Chicken:

1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins (or chicken breasts cut into strips)
1 cup buttermilk (full-fat is best—homemade works too!)
½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup cornstarch
1 large egg
1 tsp Sriracha
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (add more if you’re a spice lover)
2 cups plain Panko breadcrumbs
Canola or vegetable oil, for frying

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

½ cup mayonnaise (homemade or store-bought)
¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
1-2 tsp Sriracha (adjust for spice level)
1 tbsp honey

How to Make Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

Step 1: Mix the Magic Sauce

In a small bowl, combine mayo, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, and Sriracha. Give it a good stir, taste test (obviously), and set it aside. You can even make this a day ahead—just store it in the fridge!

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, egg, Sriracha, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Add your chicken tenders and coat them like they’re going to the spa.

Step 3: Bread It Up

Pour Panko into a shallow dish. One by one, lift the chicken from the batter, let the excess drip off, then press into the Panko. Give each piece a gentle pat so the coating sticks. Set them aside on a plate.

Step 4: Fry, Baby, Fry

In a large skillet, heat about an inch of oil to 365°F. (A kitchen thermometer helps, but you can test with a breadcrumb—if it sizzles, you’re good.) Fry the chicken in batches, about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through.

Hot tip: Don’t crowd the pan. Give those tenders room to shine.

Step 5: Sauce It Up

Drain the chicken briefly on a paper towel-lined plate, then transfer to your serving dish. Drizzle or toss in the bang bang sauce, garnish with fresh chopped parsley (or green onions for a kick), and serve immediately.

Tips & Tricks for Extra Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

Keep your oil hot: Let the oil come back to temp between batches. Cold oil = soggy crust. Nobody wants that.
No buttermilk? No problem: Mix 1 cup milk with 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice. Let sit for 5 minutes, and voilà!
Wanna make it gluten-free? Use rice flour and gluten-free Panko. The crunch stays strong.

Real Talk: Why This Recipe Stays in My Rotation

This dish earned permanent residency in my dinner lineup after a chaotic Tuesday when I had zero dinner ideas and a pack of chicken tenders staring me down. I threw this together with pantry staples, and the reaction from my family? “Can we have this every week?”

Now I keep a jar of bang bang sauce in the fridge like it’s ketchup. And yes, I’ve definitely used it on everything from roasted veggies to sandwiches. No regrets.

Crispy bang bang chicken tenders topped with spicy mayo sauce and garnished with fresh green onions, served with a creamy dip.

FAQs About Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?

Absolutely! Just cut them into thin strips. Tenderloins are naturally more tender (hence the name), but both work beautifully.

How spicy is this dish?

Mild to medium—unless you go wild with the Sriracha. You control the heat!

Can I bake or air fry it instead?

You can! It won’t be as crispy as deep-fried, but if you lightly spray with oil and bake at 425°F or air fry at 400°F, it’ll still be super tasty.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Store the chicken and sauce separately in the fridge. Reheat the chicken in an oven or air fryer to bring back the crunch, then drizzle with sauce.

Time to Make Some Chicken Magic ✨

There’s something almost therapeutic about coating and frying chicken, especially when the end result is this ridiculously satisfying crispy bang bang chicken. It’s the kind of recipe that brings people to the table fast—no fancy tricks, just crave-worthy flavor and a whole lot of crunch.

So next time you’re tempted to dial for takeout, remember: with a few pantry staples and 30 minutes, you can whip up a meal that’s better than your favorite restaurant. Go ahead, give it a try—you’ve got this, chef!

🧩 Keep the Flavor Going: Recipes You’ll Also Love

If you loved the bold flavors and irresistible crunch of Crispy Bang Bang Chicken, you’re in for a treat! Whether you’re craving something equally spicy, looking for a healthier grilled option, or want to explore new sauces and marinades, these delicious recipes will keep the dinner inspiration flowing:

Turn up the heat with these fiery and flavorful Bang Bang Chicken Skewers—perfect for summer cookouts or game day munchies.
For a tangy, creamy twist that packs protein and Mediterranean flair, try the Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken.
Looking for something sweet, savory, and tropical? You’ll fall for this easy, juicy Grilled Mango Chicken.
And if you liked the crispy coating and crave-able bite of this recipe, don’t miss the wildly popular Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken—a dreamy combo of spice and tangy cheese.

Each of these dishes is packed with bold flavor and the same approachable magic you love—because one crave-worthy chicken recipe is never enough, right?