Bang Bang Chicken makes dinner exciting! Perfectly seasoned chicken and a 4-ingredient sauce that’s next-level delicious.
Bang Bang Chicken
“Bang Bang” sauce became a hit after Bonefish Grill’s Bang Bang Shrimp made it famous. That sweet, creamy, spicy combo was so good, I had to make my own easy chicken version—and it’s a total winner!
I’ve 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. It’s quick to toss together while the chicken cooks and is the perfect finishing touch!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make Bang Bang Chicken:
- 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. Don’t skip it!
What To Serve With Bang Bang Chicken
Here’s what to serve with Bang Bang Chicken:
- Coconut Rice: Sweet and creamy, it’s so perfect with the chicken and sauce.
- Asian Cucumber Salad: 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.
Recipe Tips
Here are some quick tips for the best Bang Bang Chicken:
- Don’t overcrowd: Leave space in the air fryer for even cooking and to help the chicken get a nice crisp.
- Check temp: Cook to 160°F; it’ll rise to 165°F 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: 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 Easy Dinner Recipes
- Beef Burrito Bowl Recipe with a creamy cilantro sauce
- Honey Garlic Chicken made in one skillet!
- Chicken Gnocchi Soup Olive Garden copycat
- Chili Mac made in one pot!
- Lemon Parmesan Chicken with crispy chicken
Bang Bang Chicken
Bang Bang Chicken is a flavor-packed dinner! Juicy, seasoned chicken topped with the ultimate 4-ingredient bang bang sauce.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1-1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon oilve oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts thinly sliced (2 small breasts)
Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
For Serving
- 1 batch coconut rice or plain rice
- 1/2 batch Asian cucumber salad optional, see note 1
- 1 large lime optional
Instructions
- 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 400°F for 8–12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (carryover heat will raise it to 165°F). 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.
Video
Recipe Notes
Note 1: A fresh cucumber-avocado salad takes this dish to the next level! If you don’t want to make a whole separate salad, try this: Toss together 1 ripe diced avocado with 1-1/4 cup diced English cucumber. Drizzle in a touch of honey, olive oil, and lime juice plus a pinch of salt and pepper.
Storage: Cooked chicken is best fresh but keeps in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer. Store coated (uncooked) chicken in the fridge and air fry within 24 hours. Keep the sauce in the fridge for 5 days and stir before using.
Nutrition: Nutrition facts include the chicken and bang bang sauce only. Calories for rice and toppings will vary.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.9g | Protein: 26.1g | Fat: 16.9g | Cholesterol: 88.5mg | Sodium: 651.9mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.7g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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 don’t have an air fryer please.
Hey Sandy! Follow these instructions: https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/baked-chicken-breast/ with this seasoning mix! Hope that helps!
Do not have air fryer, how would you make in oven
Hey Karen, I haven’t tested this in the oven yet. I’ll put that on my list of things to do and get back to you when I can!