Our air fryer bang bang chicken is a quick & easy crispy breaded chicken recipe made with breadcrumbs and coated in a sweet and spicy bang bang sauce!
We use a simple mix of breadcrumbs and seasonings to coat the chicken breasts and then air fry them until they’re nice and crispy!
Ingredient Notes
🔹Chicken: We’re using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this air fryer bang bang chicken! You can also use boneless chicken thighs or even chicken tenders for this instead.
🔹Breadcrumbs: A crispy Italian breadcrumb coating is the perfect base for our bang bang chicken. You can also use Panko breadcrumbs here instead, or even crushed cornflakes for extra crunch.
🔹Egg: For coating the chicken in the seasoning and breadcrumb mixture.
🔹Oil: Some olive oil or another type of cooking spray for frying.
Bang Bang Sauce Ingredients:
🔹Mayonnaise – Creates the creamy base of our sauce.
🔹Sweet Chili Sauce – Adds sweetness and a mild heat.
🔹Sriracha – Brings the spicy kick to our bang bang sauce.
🔹Honey – Balances the heat with extra sweetness.
🔹Rice Vinegar – Adds a subtle tang that pulls all the flavors together.
How to Make Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken?
🔹To begin breading the chicken, you’ll first dip a chicken breast into a shallow dish filled with beaten eggs.
🔹Next, dip the chicken into the breadcrumbs mixture, making sure to fully coat the chicken in the breading.
🔹Arrange chicken in an even layer in the air fryer basket and air fry for 12 to 15 minutes or until they are golden brown and the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees.
🔹While the chicken is cooking, whisk together all the bang bang sauce ingredients in a bowl until smooth and well combined.
🔹Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before drizzling it with the bang bang sauce.
Recipe Tips!
🔹Try to slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise; it will help them cook through quicker and more evenly.
🔹Coat the chicken generously with the breadcrumb mixture to get the best flavor and crispiness. Use panko in place of traditional breadcrumbs if you really want things crispy!
🔹You can make the bang bang sauce ahead of time and let it chill in the refrigerator; this allows the flavors to blend together better.
Serving Suggestions
Air fryer bang bang chicken can be served with a variety of side dishes! Here are some suggestions:
🔹Rice & Noodles: Try to serve over white rice, brown rice, or noodles to soak up that delicious bang bang sauce!
🔹Veggies: Either air-fried or oven-roasted vegetables make an excellent side dish to go with this bang bang chicken! You can use roasted broccoli, sugar snap peas, or a medley of stir-fried vegetables.
Freezing and Storage Instructions
🔹You can store this air-fried bang bang chicken just like you would pretty much any other chicken recipe in the refrigerator. It should keep for about 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. You can reheat it in the air fryer to make sure the breading crisps back up as much as possible.
🔹You can also store the bang bang sauce separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
FAQs
Q1: Can I make the bang bang sauce less spicy?
Absolutely! You simply need to reduce the amount of sriracha or omit it entirely. You can also add more sweet chili sauce or honey to balance the heat to your preference.
Q2: Can I use frozen chicken?
For best results, try to use thawed chicken breasts. Frozen chicken won’t hold the breading as well and won’t cook as evenly. If you’re using frozen chicken, make sure to thaw it completely before breading.
Q3: How do you keep chicken from drying out in an air fryer?
Do not overcook it! Try to use the breading to keep moisture in, and slice the breasts in half to help them cook evenly. Always let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking.
Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- Olive oil spray
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp sriracha sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, mix together breadcrumbs and ranch seasoning.
- Dip each chicken piece in beaten egg, then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
- Place breaded chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between pieces. Spray lightly with olive oil.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While chicken cooks, whisk together all sauce ingredients in a bowl.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Drizzle with bang bang sauce and serve additional sauce on the side.
Notes
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