This Bang Bang Chicken Recipe makes dinner exciting! Perfectly seasoned chicken and a 4-ingredient sauce thatโs next-level delicious.
Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
โBang Bangโ sauce became a hit after Bonefish Grillโs Bang Bang Shrimp made it famous. That sweet, creamy, spicy combo was so good, I had to make my own easy chicken versionโand itโs a total winner!
Iโve been loving quick air fryer meals, so I simplified the spice blend from my chicken fajita bowls to make this recipe even easier. The sauce? Just 4 ingredients and done in minutes.
For the ultimate combo, I serve the chicken over coconut rice with a quick cucumber avocado salad. Itโs quick to toss together while the chicken cooks and is the perfect finishing touch!
Ingredients
Hereโs what youโll need to make this Bang Bang Chicken Recipe:
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 small, about 1 pound). Slice horizontally into thin pieces for even cooking and crisp, flavorful edges.
- Spices: Paprika adds flavor and color, while garlic and onion powder bring a nice savoriness.
- Cornstarch: Helps the spices stick and adds a slight crispiness.
- Olive oil: Keeps the chicken juicy and ensures it cooks evenly.
Bang Bang Sauce
- Mayo: Makes the sauce creamy. Choose a good-quality brand.
- Sweet chili sauce: Adds sweetness and mild heat. Add Sriracha for extra spice.
- Garlic powder: For a touch of garlic flavor.
- Soy sauce: Brings salty, savory flavor. Donโt skip it!
Serve Bang Bang Chicken Recipe With
Hereโs what to serve with Bang Bang Chicken:
- Coconut Rice: Sweet and creamy, itโs so perfect with the chicken and sauce.
- Asian Cucumber Salad or Asian Slaw: Fresh and crunchy for a nice balance.
- Steamed Veggies: Broccoli, snap peas, or carrots work great.
- Quinoa: Soaks up the sauce and adds a nutty flavor.
- Flatbread: Perfect for scooping up extra sauce.
- Lime Wedges: A little squeeze makes everything pop.
Featured Comment
โThis was a major hit in our house tonight (even with my picky toddler!). The power even went out mid-cooking so I pivoted to the blackstone and it still came out great. This will be a new permanent addition to our meal rotation.โ
โ Jenni
Recipe Tips
Here are some quick tips for the best Bang Bang Chicken Recipe:
- Donโt overcrowd: Leave space in the air fryer for even cooking and to help the chicken get a nice crisp.
- Check temp: Cook to 160ยฐF; itโll rise to 165ยฐF as it rests.
- Let it rest: Rest chicken for 5 minutes to lock in juices and make cutting easier.
- Serve fresh: Enjoy it hot for the best texture and flavor!
Storage
- Cooked chicken: This Bang Bang Chicken Recipe is best fresh, but store in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer.
- Uncooked chicken: Keep coated chicken in the fridge and air fry within 24 hours.
- Sauce: Store in the fridge up to 5 days and stir before using.
More Flavorful Chicken Recipes:
Bang Bang Chicken
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts thinly sliced (2 small breasts)
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 batch coconut rice or plain rice
- 1/2 batch Asian cucumber salad optional, see note 1
- 1 large lime optional
Instructionsย
- Start with the rice. Follow directions for coconut rice or plain rice.
Chicken
- Thinly slice chicken breasts lengthwise into thinner pieces. I cut each breast in half then half again to get 4 thin pieces from each breast. Pat chicken dry.
- In a large bowl, mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cornstarch. Add the chicken and toss with a spatula until evenly coated. Drizzle with olive oil and toss again to coat evenly.
- Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space for air circulation (no overlapping). Air fry at 400ยฐF for 8โ12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160ยฐF (carryover heat will raise it to 165ยฐF). Let chicken rest for 5 minutes, then thinly slice.
Bowl Toppings
- Sauce: Whisk together mayo, sweet chili sauce, garlic powder, and soy sauce in a small bowl until smooth.
- Salad: If desired, whip together Asian-Cucumber salad or a simpler version found in note 1.
- Divide cooked rice evenly among 4 bowls. Top each bowl with sliced chicken and Asian cucumber salad (if using). Drizzle or brush the sauce over the top. Serve promptly.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thanks for a delish and easy recipe. We have been making this nearly weekly for a year now. Itโs a huge fav of everyone in our fam and now itโs a regular on one of my friendโs weekly meal planning too.
Yay! Iโm so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Elle!
How would I cook this if I donโt have an air fryer
Hey Jane, you can follow my instructions for baked chicken breasts here.
I would like to know how to cook the chicken in the oven since I donโt have an air fryer.
I have this bang bang chicken skewers recipe that is baked! You can check it out here: https://axis-framework.live/bang-bang-chicken-skewers/%3C/a%3E.%3C/p%3E
This was a major hit in our house tonight (even with my picky toddler! pro-tip: call the bang bang sauce yum yum sauce). The power even went out mid-cooking so I pivoted to the blackstone and it still came out great. This will be a new permanent addition to our meal rotation.
Wahoo, what a win! Thanks Mary!
Thanks for the delish recipe! Found this recipe through a comment in Cup of Jo and itโs been on almost weekly rotation in our house ever since :). We often sub shredded red cabbage for rice or add a quick pickled carrot salad as a side in addition to the cucumber salad. Also pairs great with coconut rice.
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much!
Made this for dinner tonight with the avocado cucumber salad to accompany, we gobbled it all up! The chicken was very flavorful, the salad and sauce great as well. Will definitely make again, quick and easy weeknight dinner using my air fryer which I love.
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Jeni!
How do you book the chicken if you donโt have an air fryer please.
Hey Sandy! Follow these instructions: https://axis-framework.live/baked-chicken-breast/%3C/a%3E with this seasoning mix! Hope that helps!
Do not have air fryer, how would you make in oven
Hey Karen, I havenโt tested this in the oven yet. Iโll put that on my list of things to do and get back to you when I can!