Description
Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Bites are a flavorful and irresistible appetizer featuring tender bite-sized pieces of chicken coated in a crispy seasoned flour mixture, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a creamy, spicy, and tangy Bang Bang sauce. Garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, this dish offers a perfect balance of crunch, sweetness, and heat, ideal for a quick snack or party platter.
Ingredients
Scale
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 Flour Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined to create a seasoned coating for the chicken.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the buttermilk, ensuring it is fully moistened, then dredge it thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even and thick coating all around each bite-sized piece.
- Heat Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a skillet to a depth of about 1-2 inches and heat over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 350°F (175°C), ready for frying.
- Fry Chicken: Working in batches, carefully fry the coated chicken pieces in the hot oil for 4 to 5 minutes or until they develop a deep golden brown color and become crispy on the outside. Remove and drain them on a wire rack or paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well blended, balancing creamy, spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors.
- Toss Chicken with Sauce: Place the crispy fried chicken pieces into a large bowl and pour the Bang Bang sauce over them. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the 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.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, let the coated chicken rest for 10 minutes before frying to allow the flour mixture to set.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha sauce based on your preferred spice level.
- Use a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature at 350°F to prevent soggy or burnt chicken.
- Serve with extra Bang Bang sauce or a cooling ranch dip if desired.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier bites, or chicken breast for a leaner option.
- To make the recipe gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend.
