There’s something incredibly satisfying about biting into these crispy, spicy little wonders. This Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe brings together tender, juicy chicken with a creamy, tangy sauce that hits just the right balance of sweet and heat—perfect for sharing or enjoying all by yourself.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made a lot of sliders in my time, but there's just something about this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe that keeps me coming back. It’s crunchy, creamy, and just spicy enough to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming them—plus, it’s super easy to make anytime.
- Crispy Perfection: Double coating the chicken with flour and panko makes these sliders extra crispy, giving you that crave-worthy crunch every single time.
- Balanced Sauce: The homemade bang bang sauce is creamy with a kick of sweet chili and hot sauce, adding a ton of flavor without being too heavy.
- Quick & Easy: With just a handful of ingredients and under an hour from start to finish, it’s a fantastic recipe for weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Fun for Any Occasion: Whether it’s game day, a summer cookout, or just a simple dinner, these sliders always impress.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe plays an important role. The breading combo ensures crunch, while the sauces deliver a layered flavor profile. Here are a few tips for picking the best ingredients next time you shop.
- Chicken breast: Butterflying and pounding thin helps the chicken cook evenly and stay juicy—thicker pieces tend to dry out when frying.
- Egg & water: This simple mixture acts as the perfect binding agent for the breading to stick without being too thick or gloopy.
- All-purpose flour: Mixed with spices, it creates an initial flavorful coating that tenderizes the chicken and adds depth.
- Garlic powder, cayenne, coriander, salt, black pepper: These spices elevate the breading from bland to full of personality—don’t skip them!
- Panko bread crumbs: Their light, flaky texture is ideal for a crisp crust that stays crunchy after frying.
- Avocado oil: Great for frying because of its high smoke point and neutral flavor—substitute vegetable oil if you like.
- Mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, rice wine vinegar: Combined, these make the bang bang sauce delightfully creamy, tangy, and just the right amount of spicy.
- Hawaiian rolls: Soft and slightly sweet—perfect slider buns that balance the spicy chicken and sauce.
- Lettuce leaves: Adds crisp freshness and a nice textural contrast against the crunchy chicken and creamy sauce.
Make It Your Way
I love to switch things up depending on my mood or pantry stock. You can make the bang bang sauce milder by dialing back the hot sauce or switch out the mayo for Greek yogurt to lighten it up. It’s all about what makes you happiest on your plate.
- Variation: Once, I swapped the chicken for shrimp—breaded and fried the same way—and it was a total hit at a summer party.
- Spicy Swap: Use chipotle hot sauce instead of Tabasco for a smoky twist on the traditional bang bang sauce.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour blends to make these sliders safe for gluten sensitivities.
- Extra Veggies: Add sliced cucumber or pickled carrot ribbons inside the slider for an extra crisp, refreshing bite.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Pound Your Chicken
Start by butterflying your chicken breasts and pounding them out until they’re uniformly thin—about a quarter inch thick works perfectly. This step is a game changer because it means the chicken cooks evenly and stays tender. Cut each piece into 12 slider-sized portions so they fit your buns just right.
Step 2: Set Up Your Breading Station
In three shallow bowls, add your wet and dry ingredients: one with the egg and water, one with the flour and spices mixed well, and one with panko breadcrumbs. Dip each chicken piece in egg wash, then flour mixture, back into egg wash, and finally panko. This double-dip technique gives you that unbeatable crunch.
Step 3: Chill Before Frying
Once coated, arrange the chicken pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet and pop it in the fridge. Chilling helps the coating stick during frying—trust me, skipping this step can make the breading slide right off.
Step 4: Mix Your Bang Bang Sauce
Whisk together mayo, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, and rice vinegar in a small bowl. If you like, put the sauce in a squirt bottle for easy, controlled drizzling on your sliders—it’s a small step, but it makes assembly mess-free and a little more fun.
Step 5: Fry to Crispy Perfection
Heat 1 to 2 cups of avocado oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken one piece at a time, about 3 minutes per side until golden and no longer pink inside (an instant-read thermometer should read 165°F). Transfer to paper towels to drain and keep warm.
Step 6: Assemble Your Sliders
Slice the Hawaiian rolls open and toast lightly. Spread a generous layer of bang bang sauce on the bottom half, add two crisp lettuce leaves, top with a piece of fried chicken, finish with more sauce, and cap it with the top bun. Simple, satisfying, and dangerously good.
Top Tip
I’ve learned a few things while making this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe multiple times that helped me nail perfect crispiness and juicy chicken every single time. Here are the tips I swear by:
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Refrigerating the coated chicken before frying helps the bread crumbs stick instead of peeling off during cooking.
- Maintain Oil Temperature: If the oil isn’t hot enough, your coating will soak up oil and get soggy; too hot and it burns. Aim for medium heat and adjust as you go.
- Work in Batches: Crowding the pan lowers the oil temperature and causes uneven cooking—fry in small batches to keep everything crispy.
- Test Internal Temperature: Using a thermometer is the best way to avoid overcooking or undercooking. The chicken should hit 165°F for safe and tender results.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple—just crisp lettuce inside the sliders for freshness and crunch. But sometimes I add thinly sliced scallions or fresh cilantro for a herbal pop. A quick sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds over the sauce is an easy way to add nuttiness and a little flair if you’re serving guests.
Side Dishes
These sliders pair beautifully with classic sides like sweet potato fries or a tangy slaw. Sometimes I go for a light Asian cucumber salad to complement the bang bang sauce flavors. And a cold beer or sparkling lemonade? Absolutely perfect.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I love serving these slider bites on a large platter surrounded by small bowls of extra bang bang sauce, pickled veggies, and assorted fresh herbs. It turns the meal into an interactive and colorful spread everyone enjoys assembling.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover chicken separately in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Keep the sauce in its own small jar to preserve freshness and prevent the buns from getting soggy if you’ve already assembled sliders.
Freezing
I’ve frozen the breaded chicken pieces before frying—just freeze them on a baking sheet individually, then transfer to a ziplock bag. When ready to use, fry straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the cooking time. The slider buns don’t freeze as well, so it’s best to prepare those fresh.
Reheating
For leftovers, I reheat the fried chicken in a 375°F oven on a wire rack over a baking sheet to keep it crispy—about 8 to 10 minutes usually does it. Avoid microwaving, which can make the coating soggy. Warm the buns separately in the oven or toaster for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! While frying gives the crispiest coating, you can bake the chicken at 425°F on a wire rack for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The breading may not be quite as crunchy, but it will still be delicious.
If you don’t have sweet chili sauce, a mix of honey and a bit of sriracha works as a great substitute to keep that sweet-spicy balance in the bang bang sauce.
You can absolutely make a vegetarian version by using crispy tofu or cauliflower florets breaded and fried in the same way as the chicken. The bang bang sauce will work perfectly with these alternatives.
The spice level is moderate—there’s a little heat from the cayenne in the breading and the hot sauce in the bang bang sauce, but it’s balanced by the creamy mayo and sweet chili sauce. You can always adjust the hot sauce to your preference.
Final Thoughts
This Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe has become one of my favorite crowd-pleasers, and I’m sure you’ll see why once you give it a try. Every bite has the perfect combo of crunch, creaminess, and just enough zip to keep things exciting. So next time you want to wow friends or just treat yourself to something delicious, these sliders are a no-fail choice—you’ll want to make them again and again!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Bang Bang Chicken Sliders feature crispy pan-fried breaded chicken breasts served on soft Hawaiian rolls with a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce and fresh lettuce, making a perfect fun and flavorful summer appetizer or snack.
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 Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside for coating the chicken.
- Cut Chicken: Cut the butterflied, pounded chicken breasts into about 12 pieces to fit your slider size.
- Make Coating Stations: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and water. In another shallow bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, cayenne, ground coriander, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Place panko bread crumbs in a third shallow bowl.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken first into the egg wash, then into the seasoned flour mixture, back into the egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly with panko bread crumbs. Arrange coated pieces on the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate to chill and set the coating.
- 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 for easy application if desired.
- Heat Oil and Fry Chicken: Heat avocado or vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat to about 350°F. Place paper towels on a large platter or plate near the stove to drain the cooked chicken. Remove chicken from the refrigerator and carefully add pieces, one at a time, to the hot oil without overcrowding.
- Fry Until Golden: Fry chicken on one side for about 3 minutes until golden brown, then flip and fry an additional 3 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside; an internal temperature should read 165°F (74°C). Remove cooked chicken to paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining pieces.
- Toast Rolls and Assemble Sliders: Slice Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally and lightly toast them. Spread or squeeze bang bang sauce on the bottom half of each roll, add two lettuce leaves, place one piece of fried chicken on top, drizzle more bang bang sauce, and close with the top half of the roll.
- Serve: Serve the sliders immediately for the best crispy texture and flavor.
Notes
- To keep the chicken coating crispy, avoid overcrowding the pan while frying and maintain the oil temperature.
- If preferred, chicken can be baked but will lose some crispiness.
- Use avocado oil or any neutral vegetable oil suitable for frying to withstand medium heat without smoking.
- Sweet chili sauce adds a mild sweetness and spice that balances the hot sauce; adjust quantities to taste.
- These sliders are great for parties and can be made ahead by prepping sauce and chicken coating mixtures in advance.
- Ensure the chicken pieces are evenly pounded thin for consistent cooking.
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
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