Get ready to meet your new favorite lunch: the Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich. This bold, crispy, saucy creation brings together golden fried chicken cutlets, creamy-spicy bang bang sauce, and crunchy lettuce all nestled inside a fluffy toasted bun. Every bite delivers that irresistible mix of sweet heat and crave-worthy crunch, making this sandwich an absolute crowd-pleaser. Perfect for impressing guests or simply treating yourself, the Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich takes weeknight dinners or weekend lunches to the next level.

**Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich** Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every element in this recipe plays a starring role, delivering flavor, texture, and color to your Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich. Gather these simple but essential ingredients—each one is key to creating that signature taste and irresistible crunch!

Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for juicy, tender cutlets that fry to crispy perfection.
Buttermilk: This not only tenderizes the chicken but also helps the coating stick for an ultra-crispy finish.
Salt and Black Pepper: Seasoning the marinade ensures the chicken is flavorful all the way through.
All-Purpose Flour: Flour gives the chicken its signature golden crust.
Cornstarch: The secret to extra crispiness—don’t skip this!
Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle, savory depth to the breading.
Vegetable Oil: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point for perfect frying.
Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the bang bang sauce—full-fat mayo is best for richness.
Sweet Chili Sauce: Brings a sweet, tangy kick to the sauce.
Sriracha: Adds heat—adjust up or down to suit your spice preference.
Honey or Sugar: Just a touch balances the sauce’s flavors beautifully.
Lime Juice: Brightens up the sauce for a zesty finish.
Sandwich Buns: Toasting your buns is a game-changer for texture and flavor.
Shredded Lettuce or Cabbage: Brings fresh crunch and color to every bite.
Sliced Pickles or Cucumber (optional): For extra tang and texture—totally customizable!
Extra Sauce: Because more bang bang sauce is always a good idea for drizzling.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by mixing your buttermilk with salt and black pepper in a bowl. Add your chicken cutlets and let them soak up all that tangy, seasoned goodness for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours if you have the time). This step is essential for juicy, flavorful chicken and a tender bite in your Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich.

Step 2: Make the Bang Bang Sauce

While the chicken marinates, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey (or sugar), and lime juice until smooth. This sauce is the heart of the Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich—creamy, sweet, tangy, and just the right amount of spicy. Taste and adjust the heat to your liking, then pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble.

Step 3: Bread and Fry the Chicken

Combine your flour, cornstarch, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl. Take the chicken out of the marinade, let the excess drip off, and dredge each piece in the flour mixture until totally coated. Heat about an inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then fry the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s deeply golden, crispy, and reaches 165°F inside. Drain on paper towels to keep that crust extra crunchy.

Step 4: Assemble the Sandwiches

To build your Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich, generously spread some bang bang sauce on the bottom of each toasted bun. Add a layer of shredded lettuce or cabbage for crunch, then place a hot, crispy chicken cutlet on top. Drizzle with more sauce, pile on pickles or cucumber if you like, and crown it with the top bun. Serve immediately for maximum crunch and flavor!

How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich

Garnishes

A final drizzle of bang bang sauce is a must, but don’t stop there! Sprinkle with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or even a handful of fresh cilantro for an extra pop of color and flavor. These little touches make every Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich feel restaurant-worthy.

Side Dishes

This sandwich pairs beautifully with classic sides—think crispy fries, tangy coleslaw, or sweet potato chips. For a lighter touch, serve with a simple cucumber salad or a pile of Asian-inspired slaw to balance all that bold flavor. Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich night is a great excuse to get creative!

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re serving a crowd, slice each Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich in half and arrange them on a platter with extra sauce for dipping. For mini party bites, make sliders using small buns and cutlets. Or, turn the sandwich into a deconstructed salad bowl with rice, lettuce, and pickled veggies—spoon sauce over everything for that signature zing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover chicken or assembled Bang Bang Chicken Sandwiches, wrap them tightly and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. For best results, keep the chicken, buns, and toppings separate to prevent sogginess. The sauce can be kept in a covered container in the fridge for up to a week.

Freezing

You can freeze the fried chicken cutlets on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, reheat from frozen in the oven or air fryer. Avoid freezing assembled sandwiches, as the lettuce and sauce won’t hold up well.

Reheating

To bring leftover chicken back to crispy perfection, reheat in a 375°F (190°C) oven or air fryer until hot and crunchy. Avoid microwaving, as it will soften the breading. Assemble your Bang Bang Chicken Sandwiches just before serving for the best texture and flavor.

FAQs

Can I make the Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich healthier?

Absolutely! Try baking or air-frying the chicken instead of deep-frying, and swap Greek yogurt for some or all of the mayo in the sauce. Serve with extra veggies or on a whole grain bun for an even lighter twist.

How spicy is the Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich?

It’s got a gentle kick, but you control the heat! Adjust the Sriracha in the bang bang sauce to make your sandwich as mild or as fiery as you like. For milder palates, start with less and add more to taste.

What’s the best way to marinate the chicken?

Marinate in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes; a few hours is even better for maximum tenderness and flavor. Don’t skip this step—it makes a big difference in your Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich!

Can I make the Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich gluten-free?

Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour and check that your sweet chili sauce and Sriracha are gluten-free. The results are just as delicious.

How do I keep the chicken crispy after frying?

Let the fried chicken rest briefly on a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil. If you’re making several sandwiches, keep the chicken warm in a low oven (around 200°F) until you’re ready to assemble.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something crispy, saucy, and truly unforgettable, give this Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich a try. It’s easy enough for a weeknight but bold enough to impress, and I promise, it never disappoints. Grab your ingredients and get ready to make sandwich magic at home!

Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich features crispy, juicy chicken cutlets coated in a flavorful batter, topped with a spicy and sweet bang bang sauce, fresh lettuce or cabbage, and optional pickles or cucumber all nestled in a toasted bun. Inspired by Asian flavors with an American twist, it’s perfect for a satisfying main meal with a kick.

Ingredients

Scale

For the chicken:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into cutlets or pounded thin)
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Vegetable oil for frying

For the bang bang sauce:

1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
1 tablespoon Sriracha (or to taste)
1 teaspoon honey or sugar
1 teaspoon lime juice

For assembling:

4 sandwich buns (toasted)
Shredded lettuce or cabbage
Sliced pickles or cucumber (optional)
Extra bang bang sauce for drizzling

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Instructions

Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, mix buttermilk with salt and pepper. Add the chicken cutlets and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator to tenderize and infuse flavor.
Make the bang bang sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and lime juice until fully combined and smooth. Adjust the spiciness according to your preference. Set aside or keep refrigerated until assembling.
Bread and fry the chicken: In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and garlic powder. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating. Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken cutlets for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown, crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Assemble the sandwiches: Spread a generous amount of bang bang sauce on the bottom half of each toasted sandwich bun. Top with shredded lettuce or cabbage, then place the crispy chicken cutlet on top. Drizzle with additional bang bang sauce, add sliced pickles or cucumber if desired, and cover with the top bun. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.