Crispy Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs Recipe That Sizzles

Craving a skillet bang bang chicken thighs dish that promises to electrify your taste buds?

Saucy flavors dance across tender meat, creating a culinary experience that surprises and delights.

Marinades infuse each bite with zesty character, turning an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Kitchen experiments rarely feel this rewarding when ingredients combine with such passionate precision.

Layers of spice and creamy sauce whisper seductive promises of comfort and excitement.

Simple techniques help you craft a meal that looks impressive and tastes even better.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe and make it a weekly staple.

Why Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs Are So Bold

• Supercharge Flavor Infusion: Buttermilk marinade and bang bang sauce deliver an explosive taste explosion that transforms ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering sensation.
• Master One-Pan Magic: Simple skillet cooking technique ensures minimal cleanup while producing perfectly golden, juicy chicken with minimal kitchen equipment and effort.
• Customize Spice Adventure: Adjust sriracha levels to create a personalized heat profile that suits every family member's taste preferences, making this dish adaptable for mild to wild spice lovers.
• Restaurant-Quality Home Cooking: Professional-style technique and glossy sauce coating elevate this recipe from basic meal to gourmet-level dish that impresses dinner guests and satisfies home cooks' culinary ambitions.

What Goes Into Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs

• Chicken Thighs: Bone-in and skin-on cuts that provide rich flavor and juicy texture for the dish.

• Buttermilk: Helps tenderize the chicken and adds a subtle tangy flavor to the meat.

• Sriracha, Mayonnaise, Honey: Create a balanced and spicy bang bang sauce with sweet and creamy undertones.
• Garlic Powder, Paprika, Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance the overall seasoning and depth of flavor in the sauce.

• Olive Oil: Provides a perfect medium for searing and cooking the chicken thighs with a light, clean taste.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Add fresh color, mild onion flavor, and a pleasant nutty crunch to the final dish.

Easy Steps For Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs

Step 1: Marinate Chicken

Place chicken thighs in buttermilk inside a sealed container. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to help tenderize and infuse deep flavor into the meat.

Step 2: Create Spicy Bang Bang Sauce

• Sriracha sauce
• Mayonnaise
• Honey
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk everything together until smooth and well integrated.

Step 3: Prepare Chicken for Cooking

Remove chicken thighs from buttermilk. Allow excess liquid to drip off completely. Use paper towels to pat chicken dry, ensuring a crispy exterior during cooking.

Step 4: Heat Skillet

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and let it heat until it becomes shimmering and hot.

Step 5: Cook Chicken

Carefully place chicken thighs into the hot skillet. Cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 6: Apply Bang Bang Sauce

During the final 2 minutes of cooking, generously brush the prepared sauce over the chicken. This creates a glossy, spicy coating that caramelizes beautifully.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Transfer chicken to a serving plate. Drizzle with additional sauce for extra flavor.

Step 8: Garnish

Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the chicken to add texture and visual appeal.

Step 9: Rest and Enjoy

Allow chicken to rest for 3-4 minutes. This helps redistribute juices, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor in every bite.

Quick Tips For Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs

• Buttermilk Tenderizing Trick: Marinate chicken thighs in buttermilk to break down proteins, resulting in incredibly juicy and soft meat.
• Manage Sauce Heat Level: Adjust sriracha quantity to control spiciness, making the dish mild or fiery based on personal preference.
• Perfect Skillet Technique: Ensure skillet is hot before adding chicken to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior without sticking.
• Temperature Precision Matters: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked meat.
• Resting Magic: Allow chicken to rest after cooking so internal juices redistribute, keeping the meat moist and tender.

Tasty Twists On Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs

• Spicy Korean Gochujang Chicken: Replace sriracha with gochujang paste for a deeper, more complex Korean-inspired flavor profile with increased heat intensity.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Swap bang bang sauce with a blend of olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, and fresh rosemary for a lighter, herb-infused Mediterranean version.
• Coconut Curry Chicken: Modify the sauce using coconut milk, yellow curry powder, and a touch of turmeric to create a creamy, aromatic Indian-style rendition.
• Smoky Bourbon Glazed Chicken: Substitute honey with bourbon whiskey and add smoked paprika for a rich, caramelized southern-style coating with deep smokiness.

Pairing Ideas For Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs

• Pair Zesty Wine: Select a crisp, slightly sweet Riesling to balance the spicy bang bang sauce and complement the chicken's richness.
• Refresh with Craft Beer: Choose a hoppy pale ale or wheat beer that cuts through the creamy sauce and provides a refreshing contrast to the bold flavors.
• Serve Cooling Side: Prepare a cucumber and mint salad as a light, fresh accompaniment that soothes the palate and neutralizes the spicy kick of the chicken.
• Match Tangy Cocktail: Mix a citrus-based cocktail like a ginger mojito or lime margarita to enhance the dish's vibrant and spicy profile.

How To Store Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs Right

• Transfer leftover chicken thighs to an airtight container, ensuring they cool completely before sealing. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days, maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
• Wrap individual chicken thighs tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat to prevent drying out. Add a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and restore the sauce's glossy appearance.
• Store remaining bang bang sauce in a separate sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Stir well before reusing to recombine ingredients.

Answers To Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs Questions

• Why buttermilk for marinating?

Buttermilk contains lactic acid that breaks down protein, making chicken thighs incredibly tender and adding subtle tangy flavor to the meat.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Chicken thighs work best because they have higher fat content, ensuring juicier and more flavorful results compared to leaner chicken breasts.

• How spicy is the bang bang sauce?

The sauce offers a mild to medium heat level from sriracha, which can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount of sauce used.

• What if I don't have a skillet?

A cast-iron pan or heavy-bottomed pan works perfectly as an alternative for achieving golden brown chicken with crispy edges.

Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs Recipe

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4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 46-48 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Bang Bang Chicken Thighs deliver a spicy-sweet symphony of flavors that dance across your palate. Crispy, golden chicken meets zesty sauce in this crowd-pleasing Southern-style dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein

• 4 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
• 1/2 cup buttermilk

Sauce and Seasonings

• 1/4 cup sriracha sauce
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Cooking and Garnish

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Marinate chicken thighs in buttermilk for 30 minutes in the refrigerator to tenderize and enhance flavor.
2. Whisk sriracha, mayonnaise, honey, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl to create a vibrant bang bang sauce.
3. Remove chicken from buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off, and pat dry with paper towels.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot.
5. Carefully place chicken thighs in the skillet, cooking for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
6. Generously brush the bang bang sauce over the chicken during the last 2 minutes of cooking, creating a glossy and spicy coating.
7. Transfer chicken to a serving plate and immediately drizzle with additional sauce.
8. Garnish with chopped green onions and sprinkle sesame seeds over the top for added texture and visual appeal.
9. Let chicken rest for 3-4 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and ensure maximum tenderness.

Notes

• Buttermilk Magic: Marinating chicken in buttermilk helps break down proteins, resulting in incredibly tender and juicy meat that melts in your mouth.
• Sauce Adjustment: Customize the bang bang sauce’s heat level by adding more or less sriracha, making it perfect for spice-sensitive or heat-loving palates.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Replace regular mayonnaise with a gluten-free version and use tamari instead of soy sauce to make this recipe completely gluten-free friendly.
• Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare the bang bang sauce and marinate chicken up to 24 hours in advance for deeper flavor infusion and easier weeknight cooking.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 16-18 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg