There’s something about the crispy, creamy kick in this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe that just brightens up any meal. The perfect balance of crunchy, spicy, and sweet flavors makes these sliders unforgettable and totally worth the little effort they require.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made these Bang Bang Chicken Sliders more times than I can count, and every single time they disappear quickly. They’re a total crowd-pleaser, simple to put together, and that bang bang sauce? It’s addictive—sweet, spicy, and creamy all at once.
- Crispy Perfection: The double coating and panko breadcrumbs create a deliciously crunchy chicken that stands up perfectly in a slider.
- Flavor Explosion: The homemade bang bang sauce balances heat and sweetness brilliantly without being overpowering.
- Easy Entertaining: These sliders are great for parties or casual dinners because they’re bite-sized and finger-friendly.
- Customizable: You can tweak the spice levels and add your own garnish twists to make these your signature sliders.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe lies not just in the steps but in the ingredients that work so harmoniously. Choosing fresh chicken and good-quality bread crumbs really makes a difference on texture, while the bold spices bring flavor without complicated prep.
- Chicken breast: Butterflied and pounded thin, it cooks quickly and crisps up nicely without drying out.
- Egg and water: Acts as a sticky base so the coatings adhere well to the chicken.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the first dry layer to create that extra crisp texture when combined with panko.
- Garlic powder: Adds a warm, savory depth to the coating.
- Cayenne: Gives a gentle spicy kick, perfectly balanced in the seasoning.
- Ground coriander: Brings a subtle citrus note that brightens the flavor.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning inside and out.
- Panko bread crumbs: Unlike regular crumbs, they make the chicken extra crunchy and light.
- Avocado oil (or vegetable oil): Great for frying due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor.
- Mayonnaise: Creates the creamy base for the bang bang sauce and adds richness.
- Sweet chili sauce: Brings sweetness and a little heat to the sauce, balancing the flavors well.
- Hot sauce (Tabasco or similar): Adds a sharp kick for those who enjoy some heat.
- Rice wine vinegar: Offers a subtle tang that brightens the sauce.
- Hawaiian rolls: Soft, slightly sweet, and perfectly sized for sliders.
- Lettuce leaves: Adds a fresh crunch and balances the spicy, creamy chicken.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts about this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe is how easily you can adjust it to suit your taste or what you have on hand. I love making it spicier or swapping out sauces depending on the vibe I’m going for that day.
- Variation: I’ve tried swapping mayo for Greek yogurt in the sauce for a lighter feel, and it still packs plenty of flavor.
- For less heat: Reduce the cayenne or hot sauce, or go easy on the sweet chili sauce to keep things mild but tasty.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free panko and flour blends—it works just as well, trust me!
- Add crunch: A slice of crisp cucumber or pickled veggies inside the slider always makes it pop in texture.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Chicken and Coatings
Start by butterflying your chicken breasts and pounding them to an even thickness. This helps them cook evenly and get that perfect crispiness. Then cut the chicken into 12 slider-sized pieces. Set up your dredging station with three shallow bowls: one with egg and water, one with seasoned flour, and one with panko breadcrumbs. This “double dip” method – egg, flour, egg, panko – creates an incredible crunchy shell that I deeply love.
Step 2: Chill Before Frying
Once coated, pop the chicken pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for about 15-20 minutes. I learned this trick to keep the coating crisp and firmly attached during frying. It really makes a difference, so don’t skip this step!
Step 3: Whip Up the Bang Bang Sauce
While the chicken chills, mix your mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, and rice vinegar in a small bowl. I like to put mine in a squirt bottle—it makes assembling the sliders so much easier and keeps things neat.
Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection
Heat avocado or vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Fry the chicken carefully, one piece at a time, until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Make sure the internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s juicy and fully cooked. I never skip testing with a thermometer because undercooked chicken isn’t worth it!
Step 5: Build Your Sliders
Slice Hawaiian rolls in half and toast them lightly for a nice texture contrast. Spread a good amount of bang bang sauce on the bottom bun, place two lettuce leaves, add your fried chicken piece, drizzle more sauce on top, and finish with the other half of the bun. That first bite? Pure joy.
Top Tip
After making these sliders several times, here are the key tips that helped me achieve the best results — and I’m passing these along to save you some trial and error too!
- Chilling is Crucial: Allowing the breaded chicken to chill sets the crust for frying, which means less crumb loss and more crunch.
- Use a Thermometer: Cooking chicken just right is everything. I always check the temperature to avoid dryness or undercooking.
- Squirt Bottle Sauce: Using a squirt bottle for the bang bang sauce makes assembly cleaner and ensures every slider is proportioned perfectly.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Fry chicken in small batches to keep the oil temperature steady and promote even browning.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
Garnishes
I personally love adding a thin slice of cucumber or pickled jalapeños on top of the chicken for a fresh snap and a little heat boost. Sometimes a dash of chopped green onions adds a nice pop of color and flavor. Lettuce is a must for crunch and freshness, no question about it.
Side Dishes
These sliders pair perfectly with crispy sweet potato fries or a tangy, refreshing coleslaw. I like to keep the sides light and crisp since the sliders themselves are rich and flavorful.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like serving these on a large wooden board with small bowls of extra bang bang sauce and assorted pickles around. It creates a fun, shareable vibe that always gets people talking (and eating).
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover chicken pieces separately from the sliders to keep the buns from getting soggy. Place the chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked chicken pieces on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag to prevent clumping. They keep well for up to a month and reheat nicely from frozen.
Reheating
To keep that crispy crust, I reheat chicken in a hot oven or toaster oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes instead of the microwave. This restores the crunch way better.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Just swap the all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs for gluten-free alternatives. The texture may vary slightly but the flavor stays amazing.
The sauce has a gentle heat thanks to cayenne and hot sauce, balanced by sweetness from the chili sauce and creaminess of mayo. You can always adjust to your spice tolerance.
Yes, baking is possible for a lighter version. I recommend coating the chicken well and baking at 425°F on a wire rack for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to crisp evenly.
Toast the Hawaiian rolls lightly and spread a thin layer of sauce just before serving. Keeping the chicken separate until assembly also helps maintain bun texture.
Final Thoughts
This Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it brings people together effortlessly. Whether it’s a casual weekend meal or a fun gathering, these sliders always shine with their perfect balance of crisp, creamy, sweet, and spicy. I really hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do—it feels like a little celebration in every bite.
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Bang Bang Chicken Sliders are a delicious and fun summer dish featuring crispy pan-fried breaded chicken breast topped with a creamy and spicy homemade bang bang sauce, served on soft Hawaiian rolls with fresh lettuce leaves.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1.5 pounds chicken breast, butterflied and pounded thin
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 1 to 2 cups avocado oil or other vegetable oil
Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco
- 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
Assembly
- 1 (12 count) package Hawaiian rolls
- 12 lettuce leaves, rinsed and patted dry
Instructions
- Prepare and cut chicken: Gather all ingredients. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Cut the butterflied and pounded chicken breasts into approximately 12 pieces.
- Make dredging stations: In a shallow bowl, combine the egg and water to create an egg wash. In a second shallow bowl, mix flour, garlic powder, cayenne, ground coriander, salt, and black pepper. Place panko bread crumbs in a third shallow bowl.
- Coat chicken pieces: Dip each chicken piece first into the egg wash, then coat with the flour mixture. Dip it again into the egg wash, then thoroughly coat it with panko breadcrumbs. Place coated pieces on the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate to chill while preparing sauce.
- Prepare bang bang sauce: In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, and rice wine vinegar until well combined. Transfer to a squirt bottle if desired, and set aside.
- Fry chicken pieces: Heat avocado or vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Place a platter lined with paper towels near the stove for draining. Remove chicken from refrigerator and carefully add pieces one at a time to the hot oil. Fry until golden brown on one side, about 3 minutes, then flip and fry another 3 minutes until cooked through. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) when checked with an instant-read thermometer. Remove fried chicken pieces to paper towels and repeat with remaining pieces.
- Assemble sliders: Slice the Hawaiian rolls horizontally and lightly toast them. Spread or squeeze some bang bang sauce on the bottom half of each roll, place two lettuce leaves on top, then add one piece of fried chicken. Add more bang bang sauce over the chicken and top with the remaining half of the roll. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double dredge the chicken using the egg wash and panko steps again before frying.
- You can substitute the avocado oil with any neutral vegetable oil suitable for frying, such as canola or peanut oil.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the bang bang sauce to your preferred spice level.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet when frying to maintain oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
- These sliders are perfect for casual gatherings and can be served with additional dipping sauce on the side.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 251 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 406 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 33 mg
Leave a Reply