Ingredients
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- 1.5 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
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- 1/2 cup Buttermilk
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- 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour & 1/4 cup Cornstarch
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- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
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- 1 tsp Garlic Powder, Paprika, Salt, and Black Pepper
For the Signature Bang Bang Sauce:
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- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
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- 1/4 cup Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
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- 1–2 tbsp Sriracha
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- 1 tbsp Honey
Instructions
Cut your chicken breasts into uniform 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking. Place the chicken in a bowl, pour over the buttermilk, and add half of your salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Let it marinate at room temperature for 10 minutes (or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours).
While the chicken marinates, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce, sriracha, and honey in a small bowl until completely smooth. Taste and adjust the heat levels if desired. Set aside half of the sauce for dipping later to prevent cross-contamination.
Set up a shallow breading station. In one bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, and remaining seasoning. Place the panko breadcrumbs in a second bowl. Remove chicken pieces from the buttermilk, dredge them first in the flour mixture, dip quickly back into the buttermilk, and finally coat firmly in the panko breadcrumbs.
Heat 1 inch of neutral oil (like canola or peanut oil) in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C). Carefully drop the chicken pieces in batches, taking care not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side until the crust turns a rich golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Transfer to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Transfer the hot, crispy chicken bites to a large stainless steel mixing bowl. Drizzle half of the prepared Bang Bang sauce over the top and gently fold with a spatula until every piece is coated. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
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- Refrigeration: Store leftover plain fried chicken and sauce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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- Reheating for Maximum Crunch: Avoid using the microwave, which makes the coating rubbery. Instead, place un-sauced chicken in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3 to 4 minutes, or reheat in a conventional oven at 400°F (200°C) for 8 minutes until warm and crisp. Toss with fresh sauce right before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: DINNER
- Method: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Bang Bang Chicken Recipe