– Advertisement –
The Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich is a modern classic that fuses the flavors of crispy fried chicken with a creamy, spicy sauce that’s both sweet and tangy. It’s a dish that hits all the right flavor notes—crunchy, spicy, savory, and satisfying. This recipe makes for a restaurant-quality sandwich that you can easily recreate at home, with all the right balance of flavor, texture, and heat.
– Advertisement –
What Makes Bang Bang Chicken Sandwiches So Special?
- Crispy Chicken: The chicken breast is coated in a seasoned batter and fried until golden and crunchy. This crispy exterior contrasts perfectly with the juicy, tender interior of the chicken.
- Bang Bang Sauce: The star of the show is the Bang Bang Sauce, a creamy yet spicy sauce that combines the sweetness of honey, the heat of sriracha, and a bit of creaminess from mayo and sour cream. It’s a flavorful sauce that pairs perfectly with crispy chicken.
- Customization: You can make these sandwiches as spicy as you like, and you can also play around with different types of bread or toppings to suit your taste. Add some pickles, lettuce, or even coleslaw for a touch of freshness and crunch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant-Quality: You can recreate a restaurant-style sandwich at home with simple ingredients and steps.
- Versatile: Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, weekend BBQs, or even for a casual party with friends.
- Easy to Customize: Adjust the spice level of the sauce or switch up the toppings to match your preferences.
- Crispy, Spicy, and Delicious: The contrast of crispy fried chicken with the spicy and tangy sauce makes for a sandwich that is hard to beat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Breasts
Start by preparing the chicken breasts. If the chicken breasts are thick, consider butterflying them or pounding them to an even thickness to ensure they cook evenly. Chicken thighs also work great for this recipe as they tend to stay juicier and more flavorful.
– Advertisement –
To make the breading adhere better, season the chicken breasts lightly with salt and pepper. In a shallow bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg. In another shallow bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. In a third shallow bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
Step 2: Bread the Chicken
Coat each chicken breast first in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to adhere the flour to the chicken. Then dip the chicken into the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess liquid to drip off. Finally, coat the chicken in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs stick well.
– Advertisement –
Once all the chicken breasts are breaded, set them aside and let them rest for a few minutes. This helps the coating stick better when frying.
Step 3: Heat the Oil and Fry the Chicken
In a large skillet, add enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom of the pan by about 1/2 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the oil by dropping a small piece of bread into it. If it sizzles and browns within a few seconds, the oil is ready.
Carefully add the chicken breasts to the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken for about 4-5 minutes per side until the coating is golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). You may need to work in batches if your skillet isn’t large enough to fit all the chicken breasts at once.
Once the chicken is cooked through, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes while you prepare the sauce.
Step 4: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sour cream (if using). Whisk until the sauce is smooth and well-combined. Taste the sauce and adjust the level of sriracha or honey depending on how spicy or sweet you like it. For extra heat, add more sriracha; for a milder sauce, reduce the sriracha and increase the honey.
Step 5: Toast the Buns
While the chicken is resting, toast your sandwich buns. You can toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 1-2 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Toasting the buns adds a slight crunch and helps prevent them from becoming soggy when you add the sauce.
Step 6: Assemble the Sandwiches
Now that everything is ready, it’s time to assemble your sandwiches.
-
Spread the Bang Bang Sauce: Take the bottom half of each toasted bun and spread a generous amount of Bang Bang sauce on it. If you like more sauce, feel free to spread it on both the top and bottom buns.
-
Add the Chicken: Place one fried chicken breast on top of the bottom bun. The crispy, golden chicken should fit perfectly on the bun.
-
Add the Toppings: If desired, add some fresh lettuce leaves for crunch, pickles for tang, or a few slices of tomato for freshness. You can also add coleslaw for an extra texture and flavor contrast to the crispy chicken and creamy sauce.
-
Top with the Bun: Place the top half of the bun on top of the chicken and toppings.
Step 7: Serve
Serve your Bang Bang Chicken Sandwiches immediately while the chicken is hot and crispy. These sandwiches are best enjoyed right away, with all the components still crispy and fresh.
Tips for Perfect Bang Bang Chicken Sandwiches
-
Use Buttermilk for Tenderness: Soaking the chicken in buttermilk helps tenderize the meat and gives the batter a better texture when frying. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by mixing regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.
-
Control the Heat: The heat of the sauce is one of the defining features of this sandwich. Adjust the sriracha amount to suit your taste. If you like it extra spicy, add more sriracha, or for a milder version, use less or replace it with a less spicy hot sauce.
-
Use Panko Breadcrumbs: For maximum crunch, use panko breadcrumbs. They are lighter and crispier than regular breadcrumbs, giving the chicken a crunchy exterior that contrasts wonderfully with the tender meat inside.
-
Make Ahead: You can prepare the chicken and breading ahead of time. Once breaded, store the chicken in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight before frying. You can also make the sauce ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to assemble.
-
Frying Tips: Ensure the oil is hot enough before adding the chicken. If the oil is too cool, the chicken will absorb too much oil and become greasy. If it’s too hot, the outside will burn before the inside cooks through.
-
Serving Suggestions: For a complete meal, serve these sandwiches with crispy fries, onion rings, or a side of sweet potato fries. You can also add a refreshing salad to balance the richness of the fried chicken.
Variations and Customizations
-
Spicy Mayonnaise: If you prefer a more straightforward spicy mayo, you can skip the honey and rice vinegar in the sauce, just mixing sriracha and mayonnaise together.
-
Grilled Chicken: If you want a lighter version of this sandwich, consider grilling the chicken breasts instead of frying them. Simply season and grill the chicken until fully cooked and juicy.
-
Add Cheese: For a cheesy twist, add a slice of cheese (like cheddar or pepper jack) to the sandwich. You can melt the cheese on the chicken during the last minute of frying or grill it on top of the chicken.
-
Vegan Version: For a vegan version, substitute the chicken with crispy breaded cauliflower steaks or plant-based chicken tenders, and make sure to use a vegan mayonnaise alternative.
Storage and Reheating
While this sandwich is best enjoyed fresh, you can store leftovers. To keep the chicken crispy, store the chicken breasts and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to reheat, reheat the chicken in a skillet to maintain its crispiness, and reheat the sauce in a microwave or over low heat on the stove. Reassemble the sandwich just before serving.
Conclusion
Bang Bang Chicken Sandwiches are a perfect combination of crispy chicken, creamy and spicy sauce, and customizable toppings. This recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a casual dinner, making a quick meal for yourself, or serving something special to guests. With the right balance of heat, crunch, and flavor, these sandwiches are sure to satisfy your cravings for something indulgent and delicious.
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Total Time
40 minutes
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or tenders)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup buttermilk (or milk)
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste for spiciness)
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (optional, for extra tang)
- For the Sandwiches
- 4 sandwich buns (brioche or your favorite)
- Lettuce (optional, for crunch)
- Sliced tomatoes (optional)
- Pickles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
In another shallow bowl, mix the beaten egg with buttermilk.
Dip each chicken breast into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with the flour and breadcrumb mixture, pressing to make sure the chicken is well-coated. - Fry the Chicken:
In a large skillet or frying pan, heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
Once the oil is hot (you can test by dropping a breadcrumb in—it should sizzle), carefully add the coated chicken breasts.
Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
Remove the chicken from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. - Make the Bang Bang Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar (if using). Taste and adjust the heat level by adding more sriracha if you like it spicier. - Assemble the Sandwiches:
Toast the sandwich buns lightly, either in a pan or under the broiler.
Spread a generous amount of Bang Bang sauce on the bottom half of each bun.
Place a fried chicken breast on each bun, then top with lettuce, tomato, and pickles, if desired.
Drizzle more Bang Bang sauce on top, and place the top bun on each sandwich. - Serve:
Serve the sandwiches immediately, with extra sauce on the side if desired.
Notes
– Advertisement –