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