Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

You've probably heard of Bang Bang Chicken, but do you know its true magic? This Sichuan street food classic transforms simple ingredients into a crispy, saucy sensation that'll make your taste buds dance. With its perfect balance of crunchy chicken and creamy, spicy sauce, you're about to discover why this dish has become a crowd favorite. Want to learn how to create restaurant-quality magic in your own kitchen? Let's uncover the secrets behind this irresistible recipe.

Recipe Highlights

• Crisp chicken pieces are coated in cornstarch and fried until golden brown, creating a crunchy exterior perfect for absorbing the signature Bang Bang sauce.
• The signature sauce combines mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and honey, delivering a creamy, sweet, and spicy flavor profile that defines the dish.
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are sliced into 1-inch pieces and seasoned with salt and pepper before being coated and fried for optimal texture.
• Cooking involves maintaining oil temperature at 350°F and frying chicken in small batches for 5-7 minutes to ensure even, crispy golden-brown results.
• Garnish with finely sliced green onions and optional sesame seeds to add freshness, visual appeal, and an extra layer of flavor to the dish.

History

Though Bang Bang Chicken might sound like a modern fusion dish, its roots stretch deep into Chinese culinary tradition, specifically the Sichuan province.

You'll discover this dish originally emerged as a street food, where skilled vendors would literally "bang" chicken with wooden mallets to tenderize the meat. This traditional preparation method not only broke down muscle fibers but created a unique texture that became integral to the recipe's character.

Street cooks would typically serve the chicken cold, dressed in a complex sauce featuring sesame, chili oil, and soy components.

As Chinese cuisine spread globally, the recipe transformed, adapting to local tastes while maintaining its core flavor profile. Today's western versions might differ from the original, but they still honor the dish's vibrant Sichuan heritage.

Recipe

Bang Bang Chicken is a beloved Sichuan-inspired dish that perfectly balances crispy chicken with a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce. Originating as a street food in China, this modern adaptation offers a delightful twist on the traditional recipe, making it an easy and delicious meal for home cooks.

The key to this dish lies in its irresistible sauce and perfectly crispy chicken coating, which combines the rich flavors of sweet chili, honey, and mayonnaise. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking techniques, you can create a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup cornstarch
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• Vegetable oil for frying

Begin by cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and seasoning them with salt and pepper. Coat each piece thoroughly in cornstarch, shaking off any excess.

Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pan to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the oil is at the correct temperature for crispy, golden chicken. Carefully fry the chicken pieces in batches for 5-7 minutes, or until they're golden brown and cooked through.

Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and honey in a large mixing bowl to create the signature Bang Bang sauce.

For the best results, toss the hot, crispy chicken pieces in the sauce immediately after frying, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. The warmth of the chicken will help the sauce adhere and create a delicious, glossy finish.

If you prefer extra crispiness, consider double-coating the chicken in cornstarch before frying, and don't be afraid to adjust the sauce ingredients to suit your taste preferences.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by seasoning your chicken pieces with salt and pepper, creating a flavorful base for your bang bang chicken.

Next, coat the chicken thoroughly in cornstarch, ensuring each piece is evenly and completely covered for that signature crispy exterior.

Fry the coated chicken until it turns a beautiful golden brown, then finish by drizzling the tangy sauce over the top and garnishing with fresh green onions for a pop of color and flavor.

Step 1. Season Chicken Pieces

First, grab your boneless, skinless chicken breasts and slice them into uniform, bite-sized pieces about 1-inch in length.

You'll want each chunk to be roughly the same size to ensure even cooking and consistent texture. Salt and pepper the pieces generously, making sure to distribute the seasonings evenly across the chicken.

Use kosher salt for better flavor penetration and freshly ground black pepper for a more robust taste.

• Sprinkle seasonings from about 6 inches above the chicken
• Gently toss pieces to coat thoroughly
• Press seasonings into the meat's surface

Your goal is creating a well-seasoned foundation before the crispy cornstarch coating.

Tap off any excess salt and pepper, preparing the chicken for its upcoming cornstarch dredge, which will ultimately create that irresistible crunch.

Step 2. Coat Chicken in Cornstarch

Dive into the crispy transformation of your seasoned chicken by generously coating each piece in cornstarch, creating a delicate, even layer that will become the secret to achieving that irresistible crunch.

Pour your measured cup of cornstarch into a shallow dish, ensuring it's spread evenly across the surface.

Pick up each seasoned chicken piece, carefully rolling and pressing it into the cornstarch, rotating to guarantee complete, uniform coverage.

Gently tap off excess cornstarch, preventing clumping during frying.

Pro tip: use one hand for dry ingredients, another for wet, to keep your coating technique clean and precise.

The goal is a light, even dusting that will turn golden brown and create a satisfyingly crisp exterior when fried.

Your patience in this step determines the ultimate texture of your Bang Bang Chicken.

Step 3. Fry Chicken Until Golden

Heat your skillet or deep fryer to a precise 350°F (175°C), creating the perfect environment for transforming your cornstarch-coated chicken into golden, crispy perfection.

You'll want to maintain a consistent oil temperature, which ensures even cooking and prevents greasy results. Work in small batches to avoid overcrowding, which can dramatically lower the oil's temperature and lead to soggy chicken.

• Gently lower coated chicken pieces into hot oil
• Fry for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally
• Watch for a uniform, golden-brown exterior
• Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety

The key is patience and attention. Use tongs to carefully turn pieces, allowing each side to develop that irresistible crispy texture.

Once golden and crisp, remove chicken and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Step 4. Drizzle With Sauce

Unleash the tangy magic by generously coating your golden-brown chicken pieces with the luscious Bang Bang sauce. Grab a large mixing bowl and carefully drizzle the sauce over the crispy chicken, ensuring each piece gets an even, glistening layer of flavor.

Use a spatula or tongs to gently toss the chicken, creating a uniform coating that'll make each bite irresistible.

• Aim for complete sauce coverage
• Rotate pieces carefully to distribute evenly
• Shake off excess sauce if desired

Let the sauced chicken rest for 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the coating to slightly set.

The result? A mouthwatering dish where crispy meets creamy, and spicy dances with sweet. Your Bang Bang Chicken is now ready to serve and devour.

Step 5. Garnish With Green Onions

After coating your Bang Bang Chicken in that irresistible sauce, you'll want to add a pop of fresh color and flavor with green onions.

Finely slice 2-3 green onions on a diagonal, creating thin, elegant strips that will beautifully garnish your dish. The bright green color provides visual contrast against the golden-brown chicken, while the subtle onion flavor complements the sauce's sweet and spicy profile.

• Slice from white root to green tip
• Use a sharp knife for clean cuts
• Sprinkle onions evenly across the chicken
• Aim for thin, uniform pieces

These delicate green onion ribbons not only enhance the dish's appearance but also introduce a mild, crisp element that cuts through the richness of the fried chicken and creamy sauce.

Your Bang Bang Chicken is now restaurant-worthy.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting to explore Asian-inspired cuisine, Bang Bang Chicken offers a delightful culinary adventure that's both simple to prepare and incredibly satisfying.

You'll find this recipe allows for easy customization while maintaining its core flavor profile. Consider experimenting with different chili sauces or adding a sprinkle of sesame seeds for extra texture and visual appeal.

The key is maintaining the balance between crispy chicken and the signature sweet-spicy sauce. Practice will help you perfect your technique, so don't get discouraged if your first attempt isn't restaurant-quality.

Remember that cooking is about enjoyment and learning. Each time you make this dish, you'll become more confident in your skills, transforming a seemingly complex recipe into a weeknight dinner staple that'll impress family and friends.