Bang bang chicken is juicy chicken thigh bites tossed in a creamy, sweet and spicy sauce of mayo, sweet chili sauce and sriracha, then air fried at 375°F for 12 minutes. Dinner is done in about 22 minutes, with zero breading and zero deep frying.
This is the base recipe behind my Bang Bang Chicken Bowls and Bang Bang Chicken Skewers. Same sauce, same seasoning, just bite-size pieces straight into the air fryer basket. This is one of my favorite flavors ever. It's not spicy, it has a kick but not enough to scare my kids away. They love this chicken recipe so much.
No marinating needed. A quarter cup of the bang bang sauce goes on the raw chicken and the rest stays clean for drizzling. That one move keeps it safe and keeps the finish creamy.
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How long do you air fry bang bang chicken?
- Step 1: Whisk the mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha and lime juice. Set ¼ cup aside for the chicken.
- Step 2: Season the chicken thighs. Toss the chicken with oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper and the ¼ cup of bang bang sauce.
- Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes. Air fry in a single layer at 375°F for 12 to 15 minutes, flippng the chicken halfway, until 165°F inside. Drizzle with the rest of the bang bang sauce, top with green onions and serve.
What to serve
- Turn it into Bang Bang Chicken Bowls with rice, salad and corn
- Steamed jasmine rice (or garlic fried rice) and a crunchy cucumber salad
- Butter lettuce wraps with shredded carrots
- A plain green salad, with extra bang bang sauce as the dressing
Similar recipes
Want more bang bang? Make the Bang Bang Chicken Crispy Rice Salad next. Air fryer obsessed? Here are all my air fryer chicken recipes. Or try these:
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Bang Bang Chicken Air Fryer
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha and lime juice in a bowl. Set ¼ cup aside for the chicken and keep the rest clean for serving.½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sweet chili sauce, 2 tablespoons sriracha, ½ lime
- Toss the chicken pieces with the oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper and the reserved ¼ cup of sauce.1 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, 1 tablespoon neutral oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes.
- Air fry the chicken in a single layer at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, flip halfway, until the thickest piece reaches 165°F. Cook in batches if needed.
- Drizzle with the remaining bang bang sauce, top with green onions and sesame seeds, and serve right away.2 green onions
Notes
- Set the ¼ cup of sauce aside for the raw chicken before anything else, and never reuse sauce that touched raw chicken.
Nutrition
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Hi, I'm Carmen!
I'm the creator of Eat With Carmen, where I share Filipino and other Asian recipes I love and grew up eating, made simple for everyday cooking.
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Frequently Asked Questions for Bang Bang Chicken
Bang bang chicken is juicy chicken coated in bang bang sauce, a creamy mix of mayo, sweet chili sauce and sriracha. This version uses boneless thigh bites in the air fryer, with no breading.
Air fry bang bang chicken at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway. It is done when the thickest piece reaches 165°F.
Yes, chicken breast works, but start checking it at 9 minutes so it does not dry out. Thighs stay juicier and are more forgiving.
Yes, bake it on a lined sheet pan at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway, until it reaches 165°F.
Bang bang chicken is mild to medium. The mayo and sweet chili sauce balance the sriracha, so add more sriracha if you want more heat.
Store the chicken and the sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken in the air fryer at 375°F for 3 to 4 minutes, then add the sauce.
Alexis K says
This recipe is incredible! Thanks, Carmen
Veronica Hui says
This bang bang chicken is the best I've ever had!! I can't believe how good it turned out in the air fryer and how easy it was to make. ❤️
Chad Butler says
BANG!!! New household favorite!!