If you love bold, spicy flavors packed into a perfect handheld bite, then you are absolutely going to adore this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe. Imagine crispy, juicy chicken coated in a crunchy crust, slathered in a creamy, sweet-spicy bang bang sauce, and nestled inside soft slider rolls—this combo is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. These sliders manage to be both comfort food and a little adventurous twist all in one, making them perfect for game day, family dinners, or anytime you want to treat yourself and your loved ones to something spectacular. Trust me, once you try this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe, it’ll quickly become a favorite go-to in your recipe rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting all the ingredients together for this recipe is straightforward, and each one plays an important role in balancing flavor, texture, and color. The key is fresh chicken and simple pantry staples combined with a special bang bang sauce that packs a punch without overpowering the palate.
- Thin-sliced chicken breasts: Perfect for quick cooking and fitting inside slider buns with ease.
- Kosher salt, fresh black pepper, garlic powder: Essential seasonings to enhance the chicken’s natural flavor.
- Flour and cornstarch: Creates the base for a crispy coating that stays crunchy even after frying.
- Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken while adding a subtle tang that brightens flavors.
- Hot sauce: Adds a controlled kick both in the batter and in the bang bang sauce.
- Large egg: Helps bind the breading for a perfect crust.
- Panko bread crumbs: The secret to extra crunch and an irresistible golden texture.
- Vegetable or canola oil: Ideal for frying to achieve crispiness without heavy greasiness.
- Mozzarella cheese slices: Melts beautifully on hot chicken adding gooey indulgence.
- Slider rolls: Soft and slightly sweet rolls that hold everything together perfectly.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base for the bang bang sauce that balances the heat.
- Sweet chili sauce: Adds the sweet and spicy flavor characteristic of bang bang dishes.
- Honey: Sweetens the sauce gently, rounding out the flavors.
- Rice vinegar: Gives a little tang that lifts the entire sauce.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce
Start by mixing together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, honey, and rice vinegar in a small bowl. This sauce is the heart of the recipe because it brings together creaminess, sweetness, and a spicy kick all in one. Stir everything until smooth and set aside. If you prefer it spicier or sweeter, feel free to tweak the hot sauce and honey amounts to your liking.
Step 2: Season the Chicken
Season each thin-sliced chicken breast generously with kosher salt, fresh black pepper, and garlic powder on both sides. Proper seasoning at this stage infuses the chicken with flavor that stays throughout the cooking process, so don’t be shy with the spices.
Step 3: Set Up Your Breading Stations
In one shallow dish, combine the flour and cornstarch—this mix will give you that coveted crispy exterior. In a separate dish, whisk together buttermilk, hot sauce, and egg; this is the wet batter that tenderizes and flavors your chicken. Finally, pour the Panko bread crumbs into a third dish for that crunch-packed coating.
Step 4: Bread the Chicken
Now the fun part—dredge each piece of seasoned chicken first in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Then dip it into the buttermilk mixture, making sure it’s fully coated. Lastly, press the chicken into the Panko bread crumbs, covering it thoroughly. This triple-step breading process is what makes the chicken exceptionally crispy and delicious.
Step 5: Fry the Chicken
Heat your vegetable or canola oil in a large skillet until it reaches about 350°F (175°C). Fry the breaded chicken pieces in batches—don’t overcrowd the pan—to keep the oil temperature steady. Cook each side for approximately 4 to 5 minutes, or until the chicken turns golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Remove the cooked chicken and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil, keeping that perfect crunch intact.
Step 6: Assemble the Bang Bang Chicken Sliders
While the chicken is still warm, top each piece with a slice of mozzarella cheese to melt just slightly. Toast your slider rolls lightly—either in the same skillet or in the oven for added flavor and texture. Spread a generous spoonful of the bang bang sauce on the bottom halves of the rolls, then place the cheesy chicken on top. Add another drizzle of sauce if you’re feeling saucy, then crown with the top halves of the buns. There you have it—Bang Bang Chicken Sliders ready to dazzle!
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
Garnishes
Add some fresh garnishes to elevate your sliders even more. A little crisp shredded lettuce, thinly sliced cucumber, or a sprinkle of chopped green onions are perfect for adding crunch and brightness. These simple touches contrast beautifully with the richness of the chicken and sauce.
Side Dishes
Pair your Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe with classic sides like crispy sweet potato fries or a light Asian-style slaw for complementary flavors and textures. A cold, crisp salad with a tangy dressing also helps balance the meal, making your dinner plate exciting and well-rounded.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, serve these sliders on a decorative platter with mini skewers or toothpicks to keep everything neatly together. You can also layer the sliders with extra greens or even add avocado slices for an indulgent twist. If you want to impress, try serving them alongside small bowls of extra bang bang sauce for dipping fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the cooked chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This helps keep the chicken from becoming soggy and preserves the fresh flavors of the sauce.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked chicken pieces before assembling the sliders by placing them in a single layer on a tray, freezing until solid, then transferring to freezer bags. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating and assembling.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken in a 350°F oven on a wire rack to maintain the crispy texture—avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess. Warm the sauce separately and assemble the sliders fresh for the best experience. Toasting the rolls just before serving makes all the difference too.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Thinly sliced chicken thighs offer a bit more juiciness and flavor and work wonderfully in this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe. Just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they’re cooked through.
How spicy are these sliders?
The level of spice is quite customizable. The hot sauce in both the batter and sauce adds a mild to moderate heat, but you can increase or decrease the amount to suit your preference.
What can I use if I don’t have buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make a substitute by adding one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of milk and letting it sit for five minutes. This will provide the acidity needed to tenderize the chicken.
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?
Yes, baking is a healthier alternative. Preheat your oven to 425°F, place the breaded chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet, and spray with cooking oil. Bake for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
How do I keep the sliders from getting soggy?
To prevent sogginess, always assemble the sliders just before serving. Toasting the buns and keeping the sauce separate until the last moment helps maintain crispy textures and fresh flavors.
Final Thoughts
This Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe is one of those dishes that brings pure joy from the first crispy bite to the last lick of sauce. Whether you’re making it for a casual get-together or simply treating yourself to a delicious meal, it’s guaranteed to hit all the right notes. Don’t hesitate—grab those ingredients, get cooking, and share this deliciousness with your friends and family. You’ll be amazed at how quickly these sliders disappear!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: Sandwiches
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crispy and flavorful Bang Bang Chicken Sliders featuring tender breaded chicken breasts fried to golden perfection, topped with melty mozzarella cheese and a creamy, spicy Bang Bang Sauce. Perfect for parties or quick delicious meals, these sliders combine crunchy texture and a spicy-sweet kick in every bite.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1 ½ pounds thin-sliced chicken breasts
- Kosher salt, fresh black pepper, and garlic powder (for seasoning the chicken breasts)
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups Panko bread crumbs (or more as needed)
- Vegetable or canola oil for frying
- 12 slices mozzarella cheese
- 12 slider rolls
Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Stir well and set aside. Adjust the hot sauce and honey according to your preferred spice and sweetness levels.
- Season the Chicken: Season the thin-sliced chicken breasts on both sides with kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to enhance the flavor.
- Prepare Coating Mixtures: In a shallow dish, mix together the flour and cornstarch. In another shallow dish, whisk the buttermilk, hot sauce, and egg until combined. Place Panko bread crumbs in a third shallow dish.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour mixture, then dip into the buttermilk mixture, and finally coat thoroughly in the Panko bread crumbs. Ensure each piece has a uniform coating for crispiness.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable or canola oil into a large skillet, heating over medium heat to about 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the Chicken: Fry the breaded chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Drain Excess Oil: Remove the fried chicken from the skillet and place on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb extra oil.
- Melt Cheese: While still hot, top each chicken piece with a slice of mozzarella cheese, allowing it to melt slightly from the residual heat.
- Toast the Rolls: Lightly toast the slider rolls in the same skillet or oven to add texture and warmth.
- Assemble the Sliders: Spread a layer of Bang Bang Sauce onto the bottom half of each slider roll. Add the cheesy chicken piece atop the sauce, drizzle additional Bang Bang Sauce if desired, then cover with the top half of the slider roll.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Bang Bang Chicken Sliders immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- For extra spice, increase the amount of hot sauce in the Bang Bang Sauce or the buttermilk mixture.
- You can substitute mozzarella cheese with provolone or pepper jack for a different flavor profile.
- Ensure the oil is at the correct temperature to achieve a crispy crust without absorbing too much oil.
- Use fresh Panko crumbs for the crispiest coating.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead by making the Bang Bang Sauce and breaded chicken, then frying fresh before serving.
