CRISPY BANG BANG CHICKEN
Crispy Bang Bang Chicken is a popular appetizer or light meal known for its incredible combination of textures and flavors. Crispy, golden-brown chicken pieces are tossed in a sweet, spicy, and creamy sauce, creating a perfect balance of heat and sweetness.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon ginger grated
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Breading:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Bang Bang Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons sriracha or hot sauce, to taste
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- Optional Garnish: Chopped green onions or cilantro
Instructions
- Marinate chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with soy sauce, cornstarch, egg white, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably longer in the refrigerator.
- Prepare breading: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Bread chicken: Dredge each piece of marinated chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring it's fully coated. Shake off any excess flour.
- Fry chicken: Heat oil in a deep fryer or large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Make bang bang sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha (or hot sauce), and honey (or maple syrup) until smooth. Adjust the amount of sriracha to your spice preference.
- Toss chicken in sauce: In a large bowl, toss the crispy fried chicken with the bang bang sauce until it's evenly coated.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Chicken: You can use chicken breasts or thighs. Thighs tend to be more moist and flavorful.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of sriracha or hot sauce to your spice preference.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Sweet chili sauce adds a touch of sweetness and balances the heat from the sriracha.
- Frying: Be careful when frying the chicken. Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the chicken, and don't overcrowd the pan.
- Baking: For a healthier option, you can bake the breaded chicken instead of frying it. Toss the chicken with a little oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and crispy. Then toss with the sauce.