Bang Bang Chicken: Ready in 26 Minutes

Bang bang chicken has earned a permanent spot in our weeknight rotation, and people ask about it before they even sit down. That is the whole idea behind our kitchen, simple food that earns its place on a busy table.

Bang Bang Chicken is panko-crusted chicken tenderloins deep-fried to a crispy golden brown, drizzled with homemade bang bang sauce. This recipe comes together in about 26 minutes from start to finish, which is exactly why it keeps showing up on our table. Below you will find the full ingredient list, the exact method we use, and the small details that make this dish work every single time.

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Bang Bang Chicken, freshly made and ready to serve

Why You Will Love Bang Bang Chicken

There are plenty of weeknight dinners out there. Here is why the recipe keeps winning in our kitchen.

• It actually fills you up. Panko breadcrumbs add a delightful crunch to the chicken, making each bite satisfying.
• The flavor does the work. The homemade bang bang sauce gives a sweet and spicy flavor that enhances the dish.
• It just works. This recipe is a fun and tasty way to enjoy chicken tenderloins.
• Dinner in about 26 minutes. Start to plate, including the prep.
• About 52 g of protein per serving. Enough to hold you until morning, not just until nine.

Ingredients You Will Need for Bang Bang Chicken

Everything here is an everyday ingredient. This is the exact list we use for this one, measured the way we actually cook it.

Protein

• 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken tenderloins

Base

• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs, plain

Dairy

• 1 cup buttermilk

Produce

• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• Parsley, chopped, for garnish

Seasoning

• 1/2 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, optional

Pantry

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Sriracha, or more to taste
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 tbsp Sriracha
• Canola oil, for frying

A quick word on the parts that matter most in it:

• Mayonnaise. It is an everyday ingredient doing quiet, useful work here.
• Thai sweet chili sauce. It is an everyday ingredient doing quiet, useful work here.
• Sriracha. It is an everyday ingredient doing quiet, useful work here.

Prefer metric? The recipe card below switches every amount over for you.

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Bang Bang Chicken, freshly made and ready to serve

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken

Here is exactly how we make the dish: about 20 minutes of prep and roughly 6 minutes of cooking.

What you need: Large Skillet, Whisk, Mixing Bowl, Colander.

1. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. Mix well and set aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl add buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, egg, Sriracha, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Whisk to combine. Add chicken tenders and toss to coat.
3. Add panko to a shallow plate.
4. Working one piece at a time, remove the chicken from the batter, gently shaking off any excess batter. Dredge the chicken in the panko, pressing slightly to adhere. Set on a clean plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces. Set aside while you heat the oil.
5. To a large skillet, add about an inch of oil. Heat oil over medium-high heat until it reaches a temperature of 365 F.
6. Working in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, add chicken and cook until browned, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 F. Repeat with the remaining chicken tenderloins, making sure the oil is 365 F before adding more chicken.
7. Transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain slightly before adding it to a serving plate.
8. Toss the chicken with the bang bang sauce, top with chopped parsley, and serve warm.

That is the whole method. Nothing here needs special technique, just a little attention at the right moments.

Tips for the Best Bang Bang Chicken

None of this is complicated, but these are the small habits that separate a good plate of this recipe from a great one.

• Get the pan properly hot before anything goes in. That first sear is where the flavor starts.
• Do not move the food too soon. Let it sit long enough to release on its own.
• Scrape up the browned bits when you add liquid. That is pure flavor sitting on the bottom.
• Read the steps once before you start. Knowing what is coming makes the whole thing calmer.
• Have everything measured and within reach before the heat goes on. Have everything measured and within reach before the heat goes on.

Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning at the end rather than the beginning. This dish rewards a little attention right at the finish.

Variations and Add Ins

Bang bang chicken takes changes well, so treat the recipe above as a starting point rather than a set of rules. These are the swaps we come back to most often.

• Swap the cut. Boneless thighs stay juicier than breasts and work here with no other changes.
• Make it spicier. A pinch of red pepper flakes or a spoonful of your favorite hot sauce lifts the whole dish.
• Add vegetables. Spinach, peppers or mushrooms stir in easily and stretch it further.
• Change the cheese. Anything that melts well will work, so use what is already in the refrigerator.
• Change the herbs. Fresh parsley, basil or dill at the end each send it somewhere slightly different for no extra effort.
• Make it a bigger meal. Serve it over rice or with warm bread and it stretches to feed another person or two.

Change one thing at a time rather than three. That way you find out what you actually like in the recipe instead of guessing at the end.

How to Store and Reheat Bang Bang Chicken

Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently in a skillet or in the microwave at half power, adding a splash of broth so the chicken stays tender rather than drying out.

If you are cooking ahead on purpose, prep the components and keep them separate until you are ready. It takes a few minutes off a busy evening and this one holds its texture far better that way.

What to Serve With Bang Bang Chicken

It carries a plate on its own, but a few simple things turn it into a proper dinner.

• Rice or buttered noodles. Simple, and it soaks up everything on the plate.
• A simple green salad. A little contrast keeps the whole plate from feeling heavy.
• Roasted vegetables. Easy to put together while the main event finishes.
• Warm bread for the sauce. The kind of small addition that makes dinner feel finished.

Bang Bang Chicken FAQ

Can I make Bang Bang Chicken ahead of time?

Yes. You can prep the components a day ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator, then finish the dish when you are ready to eat. It saves real time on a busy evening.

Can I use something other than mayonnaise?

You can. Use what you have and keep the quantity about the same. The cooking time may shift slightly, so go by how this recipe looks rather than the clock.

How long does Bang Bang Chicken take?

About 26 minutes from start to finish, including roughly 20 minutes of hands on prep. The first time through may run a little longer.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes. Doubling works well here. Use a larger pan so nothing crowds, and expect this dish to need a little more time in the heat.

How do I store leftovers?

Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Can I freeze Bang Bang Chicken?

It is better fresh. Freezing changes the texture more than it is worth here, so plan to eat it within a couple of days.

A Dinner Worth Repeating

If you make bang bang chicken, we hope it turns into one of those recipes you stop measuring after a while, the one you can put together on a Tuesday without thinking too hard about it. That is the best thing a recipe can become, not a special occasion dish but a reliable one.

If something worked especially well for you, or you found a swap worth passing on, we would genuinely like to hear about it. Most of the small improvements in our recipes started as somebody else’s idea.

Simple ingredients, an honest method, and a plate worth sitting down for. That is all we are ever after.