If you are craving a dish that perfectly balances spicy, sweet, and crispy textures in every bite, this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe will become your new favorite go-to. Imagine tender, thin-sliced chicken breasts, breaded to golden perfection and fried until irresistibly crunchy, all smothered in a homemade Bang Bang Sauce that has just the right kick of heat and sweetness. Served on soft slider rolls with melty mozzarella, these sliders are not only a crowd-pleaser but also quick to prepare, making them perfect for everything from casual weeknight dinners to game day celebrations.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the flavors just right starts with simple but essential ingredients, each one contributing to the wonderful taste, texture, and vibrant look of these sliders. From the crispy Panko crust to the creamy and tangy Bang Bang Sauce, every component plays a delicious role.
- Thin-sliced chicken breasts: The star of the dish, thin slices cook evenly and stay juicy under the crunchy coating.
- Kosher salt, fresh black pepper, garlic powder: These seasonings boost the chicken’s natural flavor without overpowering it.
- Flour and cornstarch: Combined for a light, crisp crust that holds up well during frying.
- Buttermilk, hot sauce, and egg: This mixture tenderizes the chicken and adds a subtle tang and spicy undertone.
- Panko bread crumbs: Known for their flaky texture, Panko breadcrumbs create that signature crunch.
- Vegetable or canola oil: Perfect for frying because of its high smoke point.
- Mozzarella cheese slices: Melts beautifully over the hot chicken for an irresistible gooey topping.
- Slider rolls: Soft and slightly sweet rolls hold everything together just right.
- Mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, honey, rice vinegar: These ingredients come together to make the unforgettable Bang Bang Sauce, packed with creamy heat and a touch of sweetness.
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 until smooth. This sauce is the heart of the dish, perfectly balancing spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors. Adjust the amount of hot sauce and honey based on how spicy or sweet you like it. Once made, set it aside to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 2: Season the Chicken
Take your thin-sliced chicken breasts and season both sides generously with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a light sprinkle of garlic powder. This simple seasoning layers in savory depth before the crispy coating is applied.
Step 3: Prepare the Breading Stations
Set up three shallow dishes: one combining the flour and cornstarch, the second whisking together buttermilk, hot sauce, and egg, and the third filled with Panko bread crumbs. Having each coating mixture separate makes for an easy and efficient breading process.
Step 4: Bread the Chicken
Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour mixture, ensuring every bit is covered. Then dip it into the buttermilk mixture, letting the excess drip off, before pressing it firmly into the Panko breadcrumbs. This triple-layer breading guarantees an incredible crunch that holds up beautifully when fried.
Step 5: Fry the Chicken
Heat your vegetable or canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it reaches about 350°F (175°C). Fry the breaded chicken in batches, making sure not to crowd the pan, and cook for roughly 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked inside (internal temperature should reach 165°F/75°C). Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Step 6: Assemble the Sliders
While the chicken is still hot, place a slice of mozzarella cheese on each piece so it slightly melts into the crunchy crust. Lightly toast the slider rolls either in the pan or oven to add a bit of warmth and extra texture. Spread a generous layer of the Bang Bang Sauce on the bottom half of each roll, then top with the cheesy chicken, adding more sauce if you desire. Cap it with the top half of the slider roll and get ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
Garnishes
For extra flavor and a pop of color, consider garnishing your Bang Bang Chicken Sliders with fresh cilantro leaves, thinly sliced green onions, or even a handful of crisp shredded lettuce. These elements introduce freshness and balance the richness of the sauce and cheese remarkably well.
Side Dishes
These sliders pair wonderfully with crunchy side dishes like sweet potato fries, a crisp coleslaw, or even a light cucumber salad. Each side adds contrast in texture and helps round out the meal without competing with the bold flavors of the Bang Bang sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving at a party or want to impress your guests, consider placing the sliders on a large platter lined with lettuce leaves and drizzle extra Bang Bang Sauce artistically across the top. You can also add pickled jalapeños or a squeeze of fresh lime for those who love a spicy tang. Presentation like this turns your sliders into a stunning centerpiece everyone will want to dig into.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (which might be rare!), keep the chicken and slider rolls separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This separation helps maintain the chicken’s crispness while preventing the rolls from becoming soggy.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked chicken pieces by wrapping them well in plastic wrap and storing them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. However, slider rolls and sauce are best prepared fresh. When ready to use, thaw the chicken overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to bring back its crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the crust soggy. Toast slider rolls separately and assemble just before serving to maintain texture and flavor integrity.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Thinly slice boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful alternative that still crisps up nicely when breaded and fried.
How spicy is the Bang Bang Sauce?
The spice level is moderate and can be adjusted easily by adding more or less hot sauce according to your preference. The honey and sweet chili sauce help balance the heat with sweetness.
Is it possible to bake the chicken instead of frying?
Yes, for a lighter version, bake the breaded chicken pieces on a greased baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and cooked through.
What can I substitute for Panko breadcrumbs?
If you don’t have Panko, crushed cornflakes or regular breadcrumbs can work, but Panko is best for achieving that signature extra crunch.
Can I make the Bang Bang Sauce ahead of time?
Definitely! The sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Making it ahead allows the flavors to blend beautifully before serving.
Final Thoughts
This Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe is one of those dishes that just lights up your taste buds and brings people together. Crispy chicken with that addictive sauce and melty cheese on soft rolls simply can’t be beaten for flavor and fun. Whether it’s a casual night or a special get-together, I can’t recommend these sliders enough — go ahead, try this recipe and watch it become a new favorite in your kitchen!
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Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Bang Bang Chicken Sliders are crispy, spicy, and loaded with flavor, featuring thin-sliced fried chicken coated in Panko crumbs, topped with melted mozzarella, and drizzled with a sweet and spicy homemade Bang Bang Sauce. Perfect for game day, parties, or a fun family meal, these sliders bring a flavorful kick in a convenient bite-sized sandwich.
Ingredients
Chicken and Breading
- 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 (or more as needed) Panko bread crumbs
- 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 the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Stir well until smooth and set aside. Adjust the hot sauce and honey to your preference for spice and sweetness.
- Season the Chicken: Lightly season the thin-sliced chicken breasts on both sides with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder to enhance their flavor.
- Prepare the Dry Breading: In a shallow dish, mix together the flour and cornstarch thoroughly.
- Prepare the Wet Breading: In another shallow dish, whisk together the buttermilk, hot sauce, and the egg until fully blended.
- Set up Panko Coating: In a third shallow dish, pour the Panko bread crumbs, ready for coating the chicken.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour and cornstarch mixture, then dip it into the buttermilk mixture, ensuring it’s completely coated. Finally, press it into the Panko bread crumbs to fully cover the surface, giving the chicken a crispy crust.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable or canola oil into a large skillet and heat over medium heat to about 350°F (175°C) to prepare for frying.
- Fry the Chicken: Fry the breaded chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook each piece for 4-5 minutes per side until they turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- Drain Excess Oil: Remove the fried chicken from the skillet using tongs and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
- Melt the Cheese: While the chicken is still hot, place a slice of mozzarella cheese on each piece so it begins to melt slightly from the residual heat.
- Toast the Slider Rolls: Lightly toast the slider buns either in the skillet or oven to add a slight crisp texture and warmth.
- Assemble the Sliders: Spread a thin layer of the prepared Bang Bang Sauce on the bottom half of each slider roll for a flavorful base.
- Add the Chicken: Place one piece of fried chicken topped with melted mozzarella on each sauced slider bun bottom. Optionally drizzle more Bang Bang Sauce over the chicken for extra flavor.
- Finish and Serve: Top the sliders with the remaining bun halves and serve immediately while warm and crispy.
Notes
- For extra crispy chicken, double coat the chicken by repeating the wet and dry dredging steps before frying.
- If you prefer less spicy sliders, reduce or omit the hot sauce in the Bang Bang Sauce and batter.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Slider rolls can be substituted with small brioche buns or dinner rolls for a different texture.
- Leftover Bang Bang Sauce keeps for up to 3 days refrigerated in an airtight container.
