There’s something truly satisfying about the perfect bite-sized slider bursting with flavor. This Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe is a total game-changer — crispy, spicy chicken paired with a creamy, tangy sauce that keeps you reaching for more. It’s the kind of crowd-pleaser that’s fun to make and impossible to forget.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m always on the lookout for recipes that balance ease with impressive flavor. This Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe nails that balance perfectly. It brings together crispy chicken, creamy sauce, and soft rolls for a combination that’s both comforting and exciting — a real treat at any gathering.
- Crispy Chicken That Holds Up: The double-dredge technique with flour and panko ensures a crunchy exterior without sogginess.
- Flavor-Packed Bang Bang Sauce: The mix of sweet chili, mayo, and hot sauce gives a perfect sweet-spicy tang that makes the sliders addictive.
- Perfect Slider Size: Mini Hawaiian rolls give just the right bite, making these sliders perfect for parties, lunches, or casual dinners.
- Quick and Satisfying: Ready in under an hour, it’s an impressive recipe you can pull together without stress.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe plays an important role to ensure the perfect balance of texture and flavor. Here’s what I focus on when shopping and prepping to make sure everything comes together beautifully.
- Chicken breast: Butterflying and pounding it thin helps the chicken cook quickly and evenly, plus it makes for perfect slider-sized pieces.
- Egg and water: This combo acts as the glue for the coating to stick well—don’t skip the double dip for that extra crisp!
- Flour and spices: Garlic powder, cayenne, coriander, salt, and pepper bring the base flavors upfront for a nicely seasoned crust.
- Panko bread crumbs: They’re lighter and crunchier than regular crumbs, giving the coating a satisfyingly crispy texture.
- Avocado oil or vegetable oil: Use a neutral oil with high smoke point for perfect frying without burning.
- Mayonnaise: It forms the creamy base of the bang bang sauce, creating richness and moisture.
- Sweet chili sauce and hot sauce: The sweet and spicy combo makes that signature bang bang kick.
- Rice wine vinegar: A splash balances the sweetness and fattiness with a subtle tang.
- Hawaiian rolls: Slightly sweet and soft, these rolls are the perfect slider bun to complement the spicy chicken.
- Lettuce leaves: They add a fresh, crisp crunch that cuts through the sauce and fried chicken.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love most about this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often play around with the spiciness level or breading to tailor it to whoever I’m cooking for. Feel free to get creative!
- Variation: I’ve swapped regular mayo for spicy sriracha mayo a few times — it adds a nice depth and heat that my family can’t get enough of.
- Gluten-Free: Try almond flour and gluten-free panko to make these sliders work for gluten-sensitive guests.
- Vegetarian Version: Use crispy fried tofu or cauliflower bites instead of chicken for a fun twist that still pairs perfectly with the bang bang sauce.
- Extra Crunch: Mix crushed up rice crackers or seasoned cornflakes with panko for even more crunch and complexity.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Chicken Like a Pro
Start by butterflying your chicken breasts — this means slicing them open horizontally and then pounding them to an even thinness, about ½ inch thick. It helps the chicken cook quickly and evenly, which is key for juicy, tender bites. Then cut the chicken into roughly 12 slider-sized pieces. Trust me, taking this extra step makes the cooking process so smooth and your sliders perfectly sized.
Step 2: Set Up Your Dredging Station
In one shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and water—that’s your “egg wash.” In another bowl, mix all the dry ingredients: flour, garlic powder, cayenne, coriander, salt, and black pepper. Finally, pour the panko crumbs into a third bowl. The secret here is the double dip: dip the chicken piece into egg wash, then flour mixture, then egg wash again, and finally panko. This double coating creates that unbeatable crunch.
Step 3: Chill the Coated Chicken
Once all pieces are coated, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and pop them in the fridge for about 15 minutes. This chilling step keeps the breading intact when frying, which I’ve learned the hard way makes a huge difference to the final texture.
Step 4: Mix Your Bang Bang Sauce
While the chicken chills, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, and rice wine vinegar in a small bowl. I like to pour it into a squirt bottle for easy application later, but a spoon works just fine too. This sauce is the soul of the recipe—creamy, tangy, and just a bit spicy.
Step 5: Perfectly Fry the Chicken
Heat your oil over medium heat in a cast iron skillet — about 1 to 2 cups depending on the pan size. You want enough oil to cover about half the chicken thickness for a nice crisp without deep frying. Carefully add one piece at a time; don’t overcrowd the pan or the temperature will drop. Fry the chicken for about 3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for 165°F or poke to make sure the juices run clear.
Step 6: Build Your Sliders and Dig In
Slice your Hawaiian rolls in half, toast them lightly for a bit of warmth and crunch, then spread a generous amount of bang bang sauce on the bottom half. Layer on two crisp lettuce leaves, a piece of your golden chicken, and drizzle more sauce on top before closing with the bun. The first bite is always my favorite — that perfect combo of crunchy chicken, saucy heat, and fluffy roll.
Top Tip
From making this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe more times than I can count, here are a few insider tips that really helped me nail it every time:
- Double Dip for Crunch: Don’t skip dipping the chicken back into the egg wash before the panko — it creates an extra-thick crust that stays crispy even after sitting for a bit.
- Oil Temperature Matters: Maintain medium heat so the chicken cooks through without burning the coating; if the oil’s too hot, the exterior burns before the inside is done.
- Chill That Chicken: After breading, refrigerate before cooking to help the coating set — it prevents the breading from falling off while frying.
- Use a Thermometer: It’s the surest way to get juicy cooked-through chicken every time without guesswork.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with fresh crisp lettuce because it adds a lovely crunch and balances out the richness of the sauce and fried chicken. Sometimes I add thinly sliced cucumbers or a sprinkle of chopped green onions for a little extra brightness — it really wakes up the flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
These sliders pair perfectly with classic sides like crispy sweet potato fries, a fresh coleslaw to add tang, or even a simple cucumber salad. I’ve also brought them to summer cookouts alongside grilled corn and lemonade for a well-rounded meal that everyone loved.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like lining up the sliders on a wooden board and adding small bowls of extra bang bang sauce on the side for dipping. Another fun idea is serving mini bamboo skewers through each slider — it keeps them neat and adds a festive touch. It’s these little extras that get guests excited to dig in!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually keep the sauce and lettuce separate so the chicken doesn’t get soggy. The rolls stay fresh when stored in a zip-lock bag at room temp or wrapped tightly.
Freezing
I’ve frozen cooked fried chicken before by laying pieces flat on a baking sheet first, then transferring them to a freezer bag after they’re solid. Keeps well for up to a month. Just thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in a skillet or oven to revive that crispness before assembling sliders.
Reheating
My go-to reheating method is warming the chicken in a hot skillet with a little oil—this helps refresh the crispy crust. I avoid microwaving because it tends to make the breading soggy. Toast the rolls fresh right before serving and add sauce and lettuce after reheating for the best experience.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! While frying delivers the crispiest texture, you can bake the coated chicken pieces in a 400°F oven for 20-25 minutes until golden and cooked through. Just spray with a bit of oil before baking to help crisp up the coating.
To prevent sogginess, keep sauce and lettuce separate until just before serving. Toasting the rolls also helps create a moisture barrier. Assembling sliders last-minute guarantees they stay fresh and crunchy.
Absolutely! The bang bang sauce can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Just give it a good stir before serving.
These sliders go great with crispy fries, fresh slaws, pickles, or simple green salads. For a party, you can add chips and dips to keep things casual but tasty.
Final Thoughts
This Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe holds a special place in my recipe book because it’s just so darn satisfying and fun to share. The crispy chicken paired with that creamy, spicy sauce never fails to bring smiles to the table. I can’t wait for you to try it out — whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or just craving something delightfully different, these sliders are sure to become a favorite in your kitchen too!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Bang Bang Chicken Sliders feature crispy pan-fried breaded chicken breasts coated in a spicy, creamy bang bang sauce, served on soft Hawaiian rolls with fresh lettuce. Perfect for a fun summer appetizer or main course, they combine bold flavors and satisfying crunch in every bite.
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 and pounded chicken breasts into about 12 pieces, ensuring they are uniform for even cooking.
- Prepare Coatings: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and water. In a second shallow bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, cayenne, coriander, salt, and black pepper. Place panko bread crumbs in a third shallow bowl.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the egg wash, then into the flour mixture, back into the egg wash again, and finally into the panko crumbs to fully coat. Place coated pieces on the prepared baking sheet and chill them in the refrigerator to set the breading.
- Make Bang Bang Sauce: While the chicken chills, combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, and rice wine vinegar in a small bowl. Stir well and transfer to a squirt bottle for easy application if desired.
- Heat Oil and Fry Chicken: Heat avocado oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Prepare a plate lined with paper towels to drain cooked chicken. Remove chicken from refrigerator, fry chicken pieces one at a time in hot oil for about 3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F or 74°C). Drain on paper towels and repeat for all pieces.
- Toast Rolls: Horizontally slice the Hawaiian rolls and lightly toast both sides.
- Assemble Sliders: Spread or squeeze some bang bang sauce on the bottom half of each roll. Add two lettuce leaves, place one piece of fried chicken on top, drizzle additional bang bang sauce over the chicken, then top with the top half of the roll.
- Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful Bang Bang Chicken Sliders!
Notes
- For extra crispiness, chill the coated chicken before frying to help the breading adhere better.
- If desired, substitute avocado oil with vegetable or canola oil for frying.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the bang bang sauce to suit your spice preference.
- Hawaiian rolls provide the perfect soft and slightly sweet base, but other soft slider buns can be used.
- Use a thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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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