Description
Bang Bang Chicken is a flavorful and crispy dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces coated in cornstarch, pan-fried to a golden brown, then baked to finish cooking. The chicken is tossed in a tangy, sweet, and spicy sauce made with mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, and spices, and garnished with fresh green onions. This recipe blends Asian-inspired flavors with crispy texture for a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken after initial frying.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to form a smooth, flavorful sauce.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season them with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Coat Chicken: Dredge each chicken piece thoroughly in cornstarch until fully coated, ensuring a crispy outer layer after frying.
- Heat Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot enough for frying.
- Pan-Fry Chicken: Add the coated chicken pieces to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden brown and crispy.
- Bake Chicken: Transfer the browned chicken pieces to a baking dish. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Cool Slightly: Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to cool slightly for easier handling and better sauce absorption.
- Toss with Sauce: Drizzle the prepared sauce over the warm chicken and toss gently to coat all pieces evenly.
- Garnish: Sprinkle thinly sliced green onions on top for a fresh, crisp garnish and added flavor.
- Serve: Serve the Bang Bang Chicken hot as a delicious main dish, perfect alongside steamed rice or a fresh salad.
Notes
- For extra crunch, you can double coat the chicken by dipping it back into the cornstarch after the first fry.
- Adjust the amount of Thai sweet chili sauce to control the level of sweetness and spiciness.
- If you prefer, substitute vegetable oil with peanut oil for a nuttier flavor.
- To make this dish gluten-free, confirm the Thai sweet chili sauce contains no gluten or use a gluten-free variety.
- Leftover Bang Bang Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
