Description
Crispy, bite-sized pieces of chicken coated in a sweet and spicy bang bang sauce. These Bang Bang Chicken Bites are incredibly addictive, perfect for an appetizer, snack, or even a light meal. The combination of crunchy chicken and a creamy, flavorful sauce makes them irresistible.
Ingredients
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1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon paprika
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1 large egg, beaten
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1/2 cup milk
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1 cup panko breadcrumbs
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1/2 cup vegetable oil, for frying
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For the Bang Bang Sauce:
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1/2 cup mayonnaise
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2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
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1 tablespoon sriracha (or more, to taste)
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1 teaspoon rice vinegar
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup as a substitute)
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Instructions
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Prepare the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Set aside.
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In another shallow bowl, whisk the egg and milk.
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Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl.
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Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken cube into the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, dredge the chicken in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to adhere.
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Fry the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot (a small piece of breadcrumb should sizzle immediately), carefully place the coated chicken pieces in the skillet in a single layer. Do not overcrowd.
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Fry for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
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Remove the fried chicken from the skillet and place them on a wire rack to drain any excess oil.
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Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and honey (or maple syrup).
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Toss the Chicken: Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce bowl and toss gently until each piece is evenly coated in the bang bang sauce.
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Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Variations: For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture or more sriracha to the sauce. You can also try using other types of breadcrumbs or coating for different textures. For a richer flavor, add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to the flour mix.
Preparation Tips: Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the chicken for optimal crispiness, otherwise, the coating will become soggy. Don’t overcrowd the pan, fry in batches if necessary, to ensure even cooking and avoid lowering oil temperature. Use a meat thermometer to guarantee internal temperature, which is a safety recommendation to consume the meat well cooked.
Serving Suggestions: Serve immediately as an appetizer, snack, or part of a main course with a side of rice or vegetables. These bites also pair well with a cool, refreshing dip like ranch or blue cheese.
Intolerances/Allergies: This recipe contains gluten and dairy. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. For a dairy-free option, substitute the mayonnaise with a plant-based version and ensure the sweet chili sauce is dairy free. Be aware of cross-contamination.
Taste Adjustments: Adjust the sweetness and spice level of the bang bang sauce by increasing or decreasing the honey and sriracha to your preference. You can substitute honey with maple syrup, agave nectar, or even a sugar substitute.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course (as a light meal)
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Bang Bang Chicken, Chicken Bites, Appetizer, Fried Chicken, Spicy Chicken, Sweet and Spicy, Easy Recipe, Chicken Recipe, Party Food, Snack, Homemade Sauce