Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
If you’re craving the perfect balance of crispy, spicy, creamy, and fresh all packed into one hand-held bite, look no further than Bang Bang Chicken Sliders. This playful, party-ready recipe features tender bites of juicy chicken, golden fried and tossed in a tangy-sweet bang bang sauce, then nestled into soft slider buns with crisp lettuce and zingy pickles. Each slider bursts with flavor and texture, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for game day, backyard barbecues, or simply jazzing up your weeknight menu.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Bang Bang Chicken Sliders is their eye-catching simplicity. Every ingredient pulls its weight—whether adding crunch, punch, or a pop of color—so nothing feels fussy or extraneous. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless breasts or thighs give you juicy, easy-to-bite pieces perfect for sliders.
- Buttermilk: This classic marinade keeps the chicken ultra-moist and imparts a subtle tanginess.
- All-purpose flour: The start of a crisp, golden coating that sticks beautifully when paired with buttermilk.
- Cornstarch: Essential for a light, shatteringly crisp crust on the fried chicken.
- Paprika: Adds mild heat and a pretty warmth of color to your dredge.
- Garlic powder: Bold savory note that penetrates the crust and meat alike.
- Onion powder: Provides a subtle, sweet sharpness that deepens flavor.
- Salt: Brings every other flavor to life.
- Black pepper: Adds just a touch of mellow heat to the mix.
- Vegetable oil: Neutral flavor and high smoke point make this ideal for frying.
- Mayonnaise: Creamy backbone for the signature bang bang sauce.
- Sweet chili sauce: Infuses the sauce with gentle heat and sweetness—totally irresistible.
- Sriracha: Brings spicy depth and a little garlicky kick to the sauce.
- Honey: Rounds out the sauce with a floral sweetness that tames the spice.
- Slider buns: Soft, pillowy buns are the best canvas for all that saucy chicken.
- Shredded lettuce: Gives refreshing crunch and keeps things light.
- Sliced cucumbers or pickles: Zippy and cool—your choice offers a snappy contrast.
- Sliced green onions: A crisp, oniony finish that perks up every bite.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Sliders
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken into bite-sized pieces so every slider is easy to eat. Place the chicken in a bowl and pour over the buttermilk, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes—this simple step is the secret to juicy, flavorful chicken that stays tender after frying.
Step 2: Set Up the Dredge
While your chicken marinates, grab another bowl and whisk together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. This combo makes your coating extra crispy with just enough savory spice to amp up the chicken flavor without overwhelming the bang bang sauce.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken
Pour about two inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet and heat to 350°F (175°C). Working in batches, remove the chicken from the buttermilk and dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture. Gently shake off excess, then lower into the hot oil. Fry for 4 to 5 minutes per batch until the crust is golden and the meat is cooked through. Drain the pieces on a plate lined with paper towels to keep them crisp.
Step 4: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey until smooth. This sauce is what transforms these chicken sliders into Bang Bang Chicken Sliders—creamy, fiery, sweet, and completely craveable. Taste and adjust the spice level with more or less sriracha as you like.
Step 5: Coat the Chicken
When all of the chicken has finished frying, gently toss the warm pieces in the bang bang sauce until every bite is deliciously coated. The sauce clings to the hot, crunchy chicken for maximum flavor impact in every mouthful.
Step 6: Build the Sliders
Toast the buns lightly if you like that extra hint of crunch. Pile each bottom bun with shredded lettuce, top with a generous mound of sauced chicken, then tuck in some sliced cucumbers or pickles for extra snap. Sprinkle everything with green onions before capping it off with the top bun. Assemble right before serving so each slider stays fresh and vibrant.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Sliders
Garnishes
Add a flourish to your Bang Bang Chicken Sliders by topping each with extra sliced green onions, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, or a drizzle of extra bang bang sauce. These easy garnishes add freshness, color, and a little hint of drama to the plate—making them as fun to look at as they are to eat.
Side Dishes
Pair your Bang Bang Chicken Sliders with crisp, refreshing sides to balance out their rich, spicy-sweet flavor. Think of crunchy slaw, classic potato chips, sweet potato fries, or a bright Asian cucumber salad. Anything cool and crisp will help cut through the savoriness while rounding out your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Serving these sliders at a party? Try arranging them on a platter topped with colorful cocktail picks, or set them up as a build-your-own station with little bowls of pickles, lettuce, and bang bang sauce. For a playful twist, serve each Bang Bang Chicken Slider in a crisp lettuce cup instead of a bun for a lighter, lower-carb option that still delivers all the punchy flavors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store the chicken, sauce, and buns separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The chicken will keep for up to 3 days. This keeps everything fresh and prevents the buns from getting soggy before your next slider craving hits.
Freezing
For longer storage, flash-freeze the fried chicken pieces on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating so they stay moist inside and crisp outside.
Reheating
To bring your Bang Bang Chicken Sliders back to glory, reheat the chicken in a 375°F oven or air fryer until hot and crispy again—about 8 to 10 minutes. Avoid microwaving, which can make the coating soggy. Toss with fresh sauce right before assembling for that “just made” taste and texture.
FAQs
Can I make Bang Bang Chicken Sliders without deep frying?
Absolutely! For a lighter twist, bake the coated chicken pieces at 425°F on a greased rack for 18–20 minutes or air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway. The result is still crispy and delicious with far less oil.
How spicy are Bang Bang Chicken Sliders?
The heat level depends on your sriracha and sweet chili sauce. If you prefer a milder slider, start with a teaspoon or two of sriracha and adjust to taste. The honey and mayo both help mellow out the spice for balance.
Can I prepare Bang Bang Chicken Sliders ahead of time for a party?
You can definitely prep ahead! Fry and cool the chicken, then store it and the sauce separately. Reheat and toss with sauce just before assembling the sliders so everything is fresh and crisp for your guests.
What’s the best substitute for buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, simply stir 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar into 1 cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes. This quick hack adds the tang and tenderness needed for juicy sliders.
Can I use rotisserie or leftover chicken instead of frying fresh?
Sure! Shred or dice cooked chicken and toss with bang bang sauce. While you won’t get the same crispy coating, you can still achieve all the signature flavor and cut down on prep time.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend Bang Bang Chicken Sliders enough if you want bold flavor in an irresistibly snackable package. They come together without fuss, dazzle on any table, and always get rave reviews from anyone lucky enough to grab one. Give these sliders a try—you’ll be delighted at just how easy and unforgettable homemade street-food-inspired bites can be!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Bang Bang Chicken Sliders are a delicious fusion of crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet and spicy sauce, served on soft slider buns with crunchy toppings. Perfect for parties or a fun family dinner!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons sriracha
- 1 tablespoon honey
For Serving:
- 12 slider buns
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumbers or pickles
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken in a bowl with buttermilk and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Coating: In another bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet, dredge marinated chicken in flour mixture, and fry until golden and cooked through.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey.
- Coat the Chicken: Toss fried chicken in the sauce until coated.
- Assemble Sliders: Toast buns, layer with lettuce, saucy chicken, cucumbers/pickles, and green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter version, bake or air-fry the chicken instead of deep frying.
- The spice level of the sauce can be adjusted by varying the amount of sriracha used.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 30 minutes marinating)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Sandwiches
- Method: Frying, Assembly
- Cuisine: American-Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
