If there’s one dish that never fails to wow a crowd and makes even a weeknight dinner feel seriously special, it’s the Bang Bang Chicken Bake: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Everyone. Every bite brings the bold, irresistible flavors of creamy, spicy-sweet Bang Bang sauce over impossibly crispy baked chicken strips, so you get all the fun of your favorite takeout classic with a lightened-up, oven-baked spin. This dish isn’t just a feast for your taste buds—it’s as gorgeous on the platter as it is simple to make, so it’ll quickly become your go-to for impromptu dinners, meal prep, or any time you want a centerpiece meal that never disappoints!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Bang Bang Chicken Bake: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Everyone uses a refreshing blend of pantry staples and a few key ingredients to deliver crunch, heat, tang, and creaminess all in one dish. Every ingredient here does a little something magical to bring together the vibrant flavors and signature textures that make this recipe stand out.
- Chicken breasts: Lean, juicy, and perfect for soaking up flavors, chicken breasts are sliced into strips for maximum crunch and easy serving.
- Buttermilk: Adds tender juiciness to the chicken and helps the coating stick beautifully.
- Panko breadcrumbs: The secret to ultra-crisp texture, panko gives every bite a satisfying crunch.
- Plain breadcrumbs: Blends with panko for a fuller, golden crust with just the right bite.
- Garlic powder: Infuses the coating with a subtle savory note that’ll have people asking for your secret ingredient.
- Paprika: Adds a pop of smoky color and rounds out the spice blend for the perfect crust.
- Salt and black pepper: Brings out all the other flavors—don’t skimp!
- Olive oil: A drizzle before baking helps the coating turn super crispy and golden.
- Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of that iconic Bang Bang sauce.
- Sweet chili sauce: Gives the sauce its signature sweet-heat flavor—absolutely essential!
- Sriracha: Brings the fire; add more or less depending on your heat preference.
- Honey: A drizzle of honey balances the heat and ties the whole sauce together.
- Lime juice: Fresh and zesty, lime brightens and balances out the richness of the sauce.
- Chopped green onions: For color and a fresh, mild oniony crunch at the finish.
- Sesame seeds: Sprinkle on top for visual appeal and a lovely nutty aroma.
- Extra Bang Bang sauce: Don’t forget more for drizzling—every bite deserves some!
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bake: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Everyone
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by slicing your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into hearty strips—just the right size for crunching into later. Submerge these strips in a bowl of buttermilk, seasoned generously with salt and black pepper. Let them soak for 10–15 minutes; this step tenderizes the chicken and ensures every piece is juicy and flavorful, giving your Bang Bang Chicken Bake: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Everyone the best possible start.
Step 2: Prep the Crispy Coating
While your chicken marinates, combine panko breadcrumbs, plain breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, and another pinch of salt in a shallow bowl. This golden mix will create that coveted crunch and infuse the chicken with nuanced flavor from the first bite to the last.
Step 3: Dredge and Arrange
Take your marinated chicken strips from the buttermilk, letting any excess drip off, then firmly press each piece into the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure every surface is coated—pressing is key! Arrange each crusted strip neatly on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between so they crisp up beautifully in the oven.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Drizzle olive oil over the coated chicken to help the crust turn golden and extra crispy as it bakes. Slide the tray into your preheated 400°F oven and bake for 22–25 minutes, flipping the strips halfway through for even cooking. If you want insanely crunchy bits (and who doesn’t?), pop the chicken under the broiler for the last 1–2 minutes.
Step 5: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
While the chicken bakes, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and fresh lime juice in a small bowl. Adjust the sriracha to match your favorite heat level. This sauce should be creamy, sweet, spicy, and just a little tangy—absolutely signature for the Bang Bang Chicken Bake: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Everyone!
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Once the chicken strips are golden and cooked through, either drizzle the Bang Bang sauce generously over top or toss the chicken in the sauce to coat. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for a visually stunning and flavor-packed finish.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Bake: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Everyone
Garnishes
Garnishing is more than just prettying up your plate—it adds crunch and color to every bite. Shower your Bang Bang Chicken Bake: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Everyone with a generous handful of sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for freshness and that signature takeout look. A final flourish of extra sauce will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully over fluffy steamed rice, a bed of noodles, or tucked into crisp lettuce wraps for lighter fare. Complement the sweet-spicy flavors with simple stir-fried veggies, a cool cucumber salad, or even some roasted broccoli for a plate that’s as balanced as it is satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re feeling playful, serve Bang Bang Chicken Bake: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Everyone family-style on a big platter or thread chicken strips onto skewers for a party appetizer. You can even pile them into sliders, add to grain bowls, or arrange on a vibrant salad for a punchy lunch that keeps everyone coming back for more.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Bang Bang Chicken Bake: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Everyone in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 days—just be sure to keep the sauce and chicken separate if you want to preserve the crispness of the coating for later.
Freezing
The baked chicken strips freeze very well. Lay them out on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just reheat straight from frozen—though saving the sauce to add fresh is a pro move for the best flavor and texture.
Reheating
To keep the coating extra crisp, reheat chicken strips in a 375°F oven or toaster oven for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it tends to soften the crunchy coating. Add the Bang Bang sauce after reheating for the ultimate taste and texture.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work just as well in the Bang Bang Chicken Bake: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Everyone—they’re actually a bit juicier and add more flavor, though you may need to adjust the cook time slightly since thighs take a touch longer to bake through.
Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, swap the panko and plain breadcrumbs for gluten-free versions and double-check your sweet chili sauce’s label for hidden gluten. You’ll still get all the crunch and flavor without any wheat.
Can I prepare the chicken ahead of time?
Definitely! You can marinate and bread the chicken strips ahead, then cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours before baking. This is especially helpful if you’re hosting or meal prepping for the week.
How spicy is the Bang Bang sauce?
The beauty of this sauce is that you can dial up or down the heat. One tablespoon of sriracha gives a mild-medium spice, so feel free to add more or less depending on your taste and who you’re feeding.
What else can I do with the Bang Bang sauce?
The sauce is a superstar! Use leftovers as a dip for fries, a drizzle for roasted veggies, or slathered over fish or shrimp for an instant flavor upgrade—it’s the star ingredient in the Bang Bang Chicken Bake: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Everyone for a reason.
Final Thoughts
Once you try Bang Bang Chicken Bake: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Everyone, you’ll see just how easily you can bring restaurant-quality flavor to your kitchen, any night of the week. It’s irresistible, straightforward, and truly fun to make and share—so go ahead, gather your loved ones, and create some culinary memories over this ultimate comfort food favorite!
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Bang Bang Chicken Bake: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for Everyone Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Bang Bang Chicken Bake recipe is a crowd-pleaser! Juicy chicken strips coated in a crispy breadcrumb crust, baked to perfection, and drizzled with a sweet and spicy bang bang sauce. It’s a flavorful and satisfying dish that’s easy to make for any occasion.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (sliced into strips)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for drizzling)
Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Garnish:
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Extra sauce for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Marinate the chicken: Combine buttermilk with salt and pepper, add chicken strips, coat, and marinate for 10–15 minutes.
- Prepare breadcrumb mixture: Mix panko, plain breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, and salt in a bowl.
- Coat the chicken: Dredge marinated chicken in breadcrumb mixture, press to adhere, and arrange on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake: Bake for 22–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden, crispy, and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Make the sauce: Whisk together all bang bang sauce ingredients in a bowl.
- Finish and serve: Drizzle chicken with sauce, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot.
Notes
- For extra crunch, broil the chicken for the last 1–2 minutes.
- Adjust sriracha in the sauce for more or less heat.
- Serve over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps for a full meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
