The Best Bang Bang Chicken Recipe to Spice Up Your Dinner

Crispy, zesty bang bang chicken dances with a playful sauce that tingles your taste buds.

Layers of crunchy texture mix perfectly with creamy, spicy coating.

Inspiration comes from street food traditions across Asia, blending bold flavors into one irresistible dish.

Chefs love this recipe for its simplicity and wow factor.

Home cooking reaches new heights with these vibrant, punchy ingredients.

Quick preparation means you can whip up this crowd-pleaser in minutes.

Dive into a culinary adventure that promises to become your new favorite weeknight meal.

Ingredients for Bang Bang Chicken

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken: Tender, bite-sized meat cubes for the base of the crispy dish.

• Potato Starch, All-Purpose Flour: Provide a crispy, golden exterior for the chicken.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Shichimi Togarashi: Add seasoning and subtle spice to the coating.

• Milk, Egg: Help create a smooth, adherent base for the flour coating.

• Mayonnaise, Honey, Sweet Chili Sauce, Gochujang: Create a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce that coats the fried chicken.

• Oil: Used for deep-frying the chicken to achieve a crispy texture.

Instructions for Bang Bang Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Marinade

Whisk milk and egg together in a large bowl. Dunk chicken cubes into the liquid mixture, making sure each piece gets fully covered.

Let the chicken sit in the marinade for 15 minutes, then drain away the liquid.

Step 2: Create Crispy Coating

• Potato starch
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Shichimi togarashi

Transfer this dry mix to a large plastic bag.

Add drained chicken cubes, seal the bag, and shake vigorously until chicken is completely covered with the flour blend.

Step 3: Heat Cooking Oil

Warm oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat until it reaches 325°F.

Step 4: First Fry Chicken

Drop chicken pieces into the oil in small groups of 5-8. Fry for about 90 seconds.

Remove chicken and place on paper towel-lined plate to catch extra oil.

Step 5: Second Fry for Crispiness

Raise oil temperature to 350°F.

Return first batch of chicken to hot oil and fry another 90 seconds. Repeat with remaining chicken batches.

Step 6: Whip Up Spicy Sauce

• Mayonnaise
• Honey
• Sweet chili sauce
• Gochujang

Stir until sauce becomes smooth and well combined.

Step 7: Coat Chicken in Sauce

Toss fried chicken pieces in the prepared sauce, ensuring each piece gets a generous sauce coating.

Expert Tips for Bang Bang Chicken

Marinate chicken in milk and egg for maximum tenderness and extra flavor absorption. Drain thoroughly before coating to prevent soggy batter and ensure crispy results. Maintain precise oil temperatures for perfectly golden, crunchy exterior without burning the chicken – use a kitchen thermometer for accuracy. Double-frying technique guarantees an incredibly crisp texture that stays crunchy even after sauce coating. Balance sweet and spicy sauce by adjusting gochujang and honey ratios to suit personal taste preferences.

Variations on Bang Bang Chicken

• Gluten-Free Crunch Chicken: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and use cornstarch instead of potato starch for a celiac-friendly version.
• Spicy Korean Kick Chicken: Increase gochujang quantity and add extra red pepper flakes for more intense heat profile.
• Low-Carb Almond Coated Chicken: Substitute potato starch and flour with ground almond meal and crushed pork rinds for a keto-friendly alternative.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut milk instead of regular milk in marinade and swap mayonnaise with vegan cashew-based mayo for dairy-sensitive individuals.

Pairing Suggestions for Bang Bang Chicken

• Crisp Korean soju or light rice beer perfectly cuts through the rich, spicy Bang Bang chicken, balancing its creamy heat with refreshing coolness.
• Cucumber kimchi or pickled daikon radish provides a tangy, crisp counterpoint to the chicken's creamy, spicy sauce, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Steamed jasmine rice or light coconut rice absorbs the sauce's complex flavors, offering a neutral base that enhances the chicken's spicy-sweet profile.
• Fresh green salad with sesame vinaigrette adds crunch and lightness, offsetting the chicken's deep-fried richness and providing a fresh, zesty element.

Storage Guidelines for Bang Bang Chicken

• Store leftover Bang Bang Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Separate the chicken from the sauce to maintain crispiness.
• Wrap individual portions tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Avoid freezing sauced chicken to prevent soggy texture.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet to restore crispiness. Heat for 10-12 minutes, turning once halfway through for even warming.

FAQs

• Why is milk used in the marinade?

Milk helps tenderize the chicken by breaking down proteins, making the meat softer and more flavorful while helping the coating stick better.

• What does potato starch do in the coating?

Potato starch creates an extra crispy exterior and helps the flour mixture adhere more effectively to the chicken, resulting in a crunchier texture.

• Why are there two frying stages at different temperatures?

The first fry at a lower temperature cooks the chicken internally, while the second fry at a higher temperature creates a crispy, golden-brown exterior without overcooking the meat.

• What does shichimi togarashi add to the recipe?

Shichimi togarashi is a Japanese spice blend that introduces a complex, slightly spicy flavor profile to the chicken coating, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

Bang Bang Chicken Overview

• Crunch into Perfection: Achieve a golden, crispy exterior that delivers a satisfying crackle with every bite, making this chicken an irresistible treat for texture lovers.
• Flavor Explosion: Blend of sweet chili sauce, honey, and gochujang creates a dynamic sauce that transforms ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering sensation with complex, bold flavors.
• Adaptable Crowd-Pleaser: Versatile recipe works brilliantly for casual gatherings, game nights, or as a delightful appetizer that appeals to both kids and adults with its approachable yet exciting taste profile.
• Master-Level Technique: Double-frying method ensures maximum crispiness and perfectly cooked chicken, allowing home cooks to elevate their culinary skills with professional-grade results.

Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Chinese-inspired bang bang chicken brings together crispy, tender meat with a spicy, tangy sauce that delights taste buds. Zesty flavors and simple ingredients create a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) milk
• 2 cups (480 ml) vegetable oil (or as required for frying)
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) potato starch
• 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) mayonnaise
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) honey
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) sweet chili sauce
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp shichimi togarashi
• 1 tsp gochujang

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Instructions

1. Prepare a rich marinade by whisking milk and egg in a large bowl. Immerse chicken cubes completely, allowing flavors to penetrate for 15 minutes. Drain excess liquid thoroughly.
2. Create a crispy coating blend using potato starch, all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, and shichimi togarashi. Transfer mixture to a large resealable bag. Add drained chicken pieces and shake vigorously until uniformly coated.
3. Heat oil in a deep saucepan to 325°F. Carefully fry chicken in small batches of 5-8 pieces for approximately 90 seconds. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
4. Elevate oil temperature to 350°F. Return first batch of chicken to hot oil, frying for an additional 90 seconds until golden and crisp. Repeat process for remaining chicken batches.
5. Craft a vibrant sauce by blending mayonnaise, honey, sweet chili sauce, and gochujang until smooth and well-integrated.
6. Generously coat each crispy chicken piece in the prepared sauce, ensuring complete and even coverage.
7. Serve immediately while chicken remains hot and sauce is freshly applied.

Notes

• Choose chicken breast for a leaner protein option that keeps the dish light and healthy.
• Ensure marinade completely covers chicken for maximum flavor penetration and tender meat texture.
• Use a thermometer to accurately monitor oil temperature, preventing undercooked or burnt chicken.
• Shake coating bag vigorously to create an even, crispy exterior that locks in moisture.
• Pat chicken dry before marinating to help coating adhere better and achieve crispier results.
• Replace all-purpose flour with rice flour or gluten-free flour blend.
• Add sesame seeds or chopped green onions as a final garnish for extra crunch and visual appeal.
• Adjust spice levels by modifying shichimi togarashi or gochujang quantities to suit personal preference.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 420 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 470 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg