Are you on the hunt for a standout chicken recipe that bursts with flavour but doesn’t demand hours of your time? A dish that strikes the perfect chord between a crunchy coating and a lusciously creamy, spicy-sweet sauce? If that sounds like what you’re craving, then you’ve certainly landed in the right place. Allow us to introduce a recipe we’re confident will become a new household favourite: our sensational Bang Bang Chicken Thighs.

This recipe transforms succulent chicken thighs by giving them a seasoned, crispy coating and baking them until they’re perfectly golden. The final touch is a generous toss in that legendary, mouth-watering Bang Bang sauce. It’s the kind of meal that has everyone eagerly asking for more. Say goodbye to takeaways, because this homemade alternative is fresher, a bit healthier, and utterly delicious. Let’s head to the kitchen and make something wonderful together!

Why You’ll Adore This Recipe

• A Symphony of Flavours: The famous sauce is a beautiful harmony of creamy, sweet, and spicy notes. It’s this compelling combination that makes our Spicy sweet chicken so memorable.
• Fantastically Crispy (No Frying Needed!): We achieve that deeply satisfying crunch using a clever mix of cornflour and panko breadcrumbs, all cooked in the oven or air fryer. No messy deep-frying is necessary!
• Perfectly Quick for Weeknights: Featuring simple instructions and a cook time of less than 30 minutes, this dish is a lifesaver on busy evenings when you need something special without the stress. It’s a superb alternative to our much-loved Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls.
• Wonderfully Versatile: Enjoy these tasty chicken pieces served over rice, tucked into tacos, scattered over a fresh salad, or simply by themselves with a little extra sauce for dipping. The serving options are truly endless!

Ingredients

• boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• panko breadcrumbs
• garlic powder
• black pepper
• Cooking oil spray
• sweet chilli sauce
• honey or maple syrup
• lime juice
• spring onions
• toasted sesame seeds
• fresh coriander

How to Make Perfect Bang Bang Chicken Thighs

We’ve streamlined this recipe into a few easy-to-follow stages. By following our method, you’re guaranteed to produce tender chicken with an exceptionally crunchy exterior, ready to be coated in that incredible sauce.

Step 1: Prepare Your Breading Station

First, let’s get everything in order. A well-organised setup is the secret to a clean and efficient coating process.

1. In a shallow dish, combine the cornflour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. In a second shallow dish, give the two eggs a light whisk.
3. In a third dish, pour in the panko breadcrumbs.
4. Arrange them in sequence: seasoned cornflour, then egg, and finally panko. This creates a perfect breading production line.

Step 2: Coat the Chicken

Now we get to the hands-on part! Make sure your chicken pieces are patted completely dry with a paper towel. This step is vital for helping the coating adhere properly, giving you the ultimate Crispy chicken thighs.

1. Take one piece of chicken and dredge it completely in the seasoned cornflour, tapping gently to remove any excess.
2. After that, submerge the floured chicken in the beaten egg, letting any surplus drip away.
3. Lastly, press the chicken firmly into the panko breadcrumbs, making sure it gets a generous, even coating on all sides.
4. Set the coated chicken onto a wire rack or a prepared baking sheet and continue with the rest of the chicken.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken (Oven or Air Fryer)

We are making Baked bang Bang chicken, which is a healthier and tidier alternative to deep-frying. Both the oven and air fryer methods will give you brilliantly crispy results.

Oven Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F / Gas Mark 6).
2. Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Ensure there is space between them.
3. Give the tops of the chicken a light misting with cooking oil spray.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning them over halfway through, until the chicken is a deep golden brown, crunchy, and cooked all the way through.

Air Fryer Method:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
2. Arrange the coated chicken in the air fryer basket, ensuring it’s in a single layer. You might need to work in batches to prevent overcrowding.
3. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking oil.
4. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, giving the basket a shake at the halfway point, until it’s crisp and thoroughly cooked.

Step 4: Mix the Bang Bang Sauce

While the chicken is cooking away, it’s time to prepare the star of our dish. This sauce is what makes this Asian inspired chicken recipe so iconic. The trick is to find your perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and sweet flavours.

1. In a medium bowl, add the mayonnaise, sweet chilli sauce, Sriracha, honey, and fresh lime juice.
2. Whisk all the ingredients together until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
3. Have a taste and adjust the seasoning if you wish. Fancy more heat? A little extra Sriracha will do it. Prefer it sweeter? Add another small drizzle of honey. The story behind Sriracha is quite interesting; you can discover more about its roots from culinary experts like Bon Appétit.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

This is the moment we’ve all been working towards! As soon as the chicken is beautifully golden and crisp, it’s time to unite all the elements.

1. Place the hot, cooked chicken into a large bowl.
2. Pour over about two-thirds of your prepared Bang Bang sauce and toss gently until every piece is gloriously coated. We recommend keeping some sauce back for drizzling over the top or for dipping.
3. Serve straight away, garnished with finely sliced spring onions, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, and some fresh coriander.

Serving Suggestions

These Bang Bang Chicken Thighs are brilliantly adaptable. You can present them as a main dish, a tempting appetiser, or as part of a larger spread. Here are some of our favourite ways to serve them:

• Classic Rice Bowl: Serve the chicken over a mound of fluffy jasmine or basmati rice, accompanied by some steamed broccoli or bok choy.
• Lettuce Wraps: Spoon the saucy chicken into crisp iceberg or little gem lettuce leaves for a wonderfully fresh, lower-carb meal.
• Tacos: Fill soft tortillas with the chicken, some shredded cabbage slaw, and a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice.
• On a Salad: Liven up a simple green salad by topping it with these flavour-packed, crispy chicken bites.

If you appreciate a versatile chicken dinner, you might also fall in love with our easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe, which is another fantastic weeknight choice.

FAQ

Your New Favourite Chicken Recipe Awaits!

And there you have it—a straightforward yet truly impressive recipe for Bang Bang Chicken Thighs that ticks all the boxes. It’s crispy, succulent, and smothered in a sauce so delicious you’ll be tempted to use it on everything. This dish is proof that you don’t need complicated methods or a deep fat fryer to produce a meal that truly delights.

So, why not give it a try? Gather your ingredients and make this for dinner soon. We are sure it will be a resounding success with your family and friends. When you do make it, please leave a comment below to let us know how you got on. We always enjoy hearing from you!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• For the Chicken:
• 600g (approx 1.3 lbs) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 60g (1/2 cup) cornflour
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 110g (1.5 cups) panko breadcrumbs
• Cooking oil spray
• For the Bang Bang Sauce:
• 120g (1/2 cup) mayonnaise
• 60ml (1/4 cup) sweet chilli sauce
• 1 tbsp Sriracha (or to taste)
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• For Garnish:
• 2 spring onions, finely sliced
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
• Small handful of fresh coriander, chopped

Instructions

1. Prepare three shallow dishes. In the first, combine cornflour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In the second, lightly beat the eggs. In the third, place the panko breadcrumbs.
2. Pat the chicken chunks dry. Dredge each piece first in the seasoned cornflour, then dip in the egg, and finally press firmly into the panko breadcrumbs to coat completely.
3. To Bake: Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Arrange chicken on a lined baking tray, spray with oil, and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway. To Air Fry: Preheat air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Cook chicken in a single layer for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
4. While the chicken cooks, prepare the sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chilli sauce, Sriracha, honey, and lime juice until smooth.
5. Once cooked and crispy, transfer the hot chicken to a large bowl. Pour over most of the sauce and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately, garnished with sliced spring onions, toasted sesame seeds, and fresh coriander.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 720, Carbs: 47 g, Protein: 34 g, Fat: 42 g