How to Make Delicious Bang Bang Chicken Sliders at Home

Have you ever craved a handheld treat that combines the perfect balance of crispy, spicy, and creamy all in one bite? These Bang Bang Chicken Sliders are the answer to your cravings! Creating this crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish in your kitchen delivers restaurant-quality results without the takeout price. The Bang Bang Chicken Recipe transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary flavor experience with its signature creamy, sweet-and-spicy sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients & Kitchen Tools

For the Chicken:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (preferred for juiciness, but breasts work too)
– 1 cup buttermilk (helps tenderize the chicken)
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 tablespoon garlic powder
– 1 tablespoon paprika
– 1 teaspoon salt
– ½ teaspoon black pepper
– Vegetable oil for frying (about 2 cups)

For the Bang Bang Sauce:
– ½ cup mayonnaise
– ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
– 2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust to your heat preference)
– 1 tablespoon honey
– 1 teaspoon lime juice

For Assembly:
– 8 slider buns (brioche preferred for richness)
– 2 cups shredded lettuce
– 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
– Pickles (optional)

Kitchen Tools Needed:
– Large mixing bowls
– Whisk
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Deep frying pan or Dutch oven
– Cooking thermometer
– Tongs
– Paper towel-lined plate
– Small saucepan (for warming buns)

Prep Time & Cooking Schedule

– Prep Time: 20 minutes (including marinating chicken in buttermilk)
– Cook Time: 15 minutes
– Total Time: 35 minutes
– Servings: 8 sliders

Plan to marinate the chicken in buttermilk for at least 20 minutes before cooking for best results, though overnight in the refrigerator is ideal for maximum tenderness.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken thighs into slider-sized pieces. Place in a bowl with buttermilk, cover, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.

2. Make the Bang Bang sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice until smooth. Set aside half for coating the chicken and reserve the other half for serving.

3. Set up your dredging station: In a shallow bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

4. Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep pan to a depth of about 1 inch. Heat to 350°F (175°C).

5. Fry the chicken: Remove chicken pieces from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Fry in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Transfer to paper towel-lined plate.

6. Coat with sauce: While still hot, toss the fried chicken pieces in half of the Bang Bang Chicken Recipe sauce until evenly coated.

7. Assemble sliders: Lightly toast the slider buns. Place a piece of sauce-coated chicken on each bottom bun, top with lettuce, tomato, and optional pickles. Drizzle with remaining sauce and cap with top buns.

Nutritional Benefits & Advantages

These Bang Bang Chicken Sliders provide a good source of protein from the chicken, which supports muscle health and satiety. Using chicken thighs adds iron and zinc to your diet. The lettuce and tomatoes add vitamins A and C, along with dietary fiber. For a lighter version, you can bake or air-fry the chicken instead of deep-frying.

Tips, Variations & Cooking Advice

– For a spicier version, add more sriracha or a dash of cayenne to the bang bang sauce
– Make it gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with rice flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs
– For a healthier option, use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise in the sauce
– Add avocado slices for creaminess and healthy fats
– Try using different buns like pretzel rolls or Hawaiian sweet rolls for flavor variation

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Oil temperature too low: Results in greasy, soggy chicken. Keep oil consistently at 350°F.
2. Overcrowding the pan: Fry in batches to maintain oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
3. Under-seasoning: Don’t forget to season both the buttermilk marinade and the flour mixture.
4. Applying sauce too late: Coat the chicken while still hot for better sauce absorption.
5. Skipping the buttermilk: This key step ensures tender, juicy chicken.

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

– Store assembled sliders separately from sauce for up to 2 days in the refrigerator
– For meal prep, keep fried chicken (unsauced) in an airtight container for up to 3 days
– Freeze cooked chicken (before adding sauce) for up to 1 month
– Reheat chicken in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to restore crispiness before assembling
– The bang bang sauce can be prepared up to 5 days ahead and stored refrigerated

Conclusion

These irresistible Bang Bang Chicken Sliders bring together crispy, tender chicken and creamy, spicy sauce in perfect handheld portions. Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering or looking for an exciting family dinner, this Bang Bang Chicken Recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with simple home cooking techniques. The combination of textures and flavors makes these sliders a guaranteed hit for any occasion!

FAQs

Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes! Bake the breaded chicken at 425°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Is there a dairy-free alternative to buttermilk?
Mix 1 cup non-dairy milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice and let sit for 5 minutes before using.

How can I make these sliders less spicy?
Reduce or eliminate the sriracha in the bang bang sauce and increase the sweet chili sauce slightly.

Can I prepare any components ahead of time?
Yes! The bang bang sauce can be made up to 5 days ahead, and chicken can be marinated overnight for convenience.

What sides pair well with these sliders?
Asian slaw, sweet potato fries, or a simple cucumber salad complement these sliders perfectly.

Best way to grow your party with 12 Bang Bang Chicken Sliders

These Bang Bang Chicken Sliders are a crowd-pleaser, featuring crispy chicken tossed in a spicy and sweet Bang Bang sauce, served on soft slider buns.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 12 sliders

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• Large bowl
• Shallow dish
• Large skillet
• Wire rack
• Tongs
• Whisk

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• vegetable oil for frying

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

• 0.5 cup mayonnaise
• 0.25 cup sweet chili sauce
• 1 tbsp Sriracha or to taste
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp rice vinegar

For Assembly:

• 12 slider buns
• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• 0.25 cup green onions sliced, for garnish

Instructions

 

Prepare the Chicken:

• Cut chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces and marinate in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes.
• Combine flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
• Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.

Fry the Chicken:

• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet to 350°F (175°C).
• Fry chicken in batches for 4-6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
• Transfer cooked chicken to a wire rack to drain excess oil.

Make the Sauce:

• Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar in a medium bowl.
• Toss the fried chicken with the bang bang sauce until evenly coated.

Assemble the Sliders:

• Lightly toast slider buns, if desired.
• Place a spoonful of shredded lettuce on the bottom half of each bun.
• Top with bang bang chicken and garnish with sliced green onions before serving.

Notes

For extra heat, add more Sriracha to the Bang Bang sauce. You can also marinate the chicken overnight for deeper flavor and tenderness.