Bang Bang Chicken Nuggets – Crispy, Saucy, and Addictively Good

These Bang Bang Chicken Nuggets are the ultimate crowd-pleaser-combining crispy golden chicken, a tender, juicy interior, and the iconic Bang Bang sauce that’s sweet, spicy, creamy, and totally unforgettable. Each nugget is bursting with flavor, delivering the perfect balance of crunch and sauciness in every bite.

Whether you’re making them for a casual weeknight dinner, putting out a platter for game-day snacks, or serving a fun appetizer for guests, these little bites always deliver big results. Trust us-they won’t last long on the plate!

Inspired by the popular Bang Bang Shrimp from restaurant menus, this recipe gives the concept a family-friendly twist using bite-sized chicken breast pieces, lightly breaded for a crisp finish, then baked, fried, or air-fried until golden. Once cooked, they’re coated or drizzled with a sweet chili and Sriracha mayo sauce that’s so good, you’ll want to dip everything in it.

They’re easy to prepare, super versatile, and perfect for dipping, stacking in sliders, adding to wraps, or enjoying straight from the tray.

Bold, saucy, and satisfying-this is one chicken nugget recipe that stands out from the rest.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Crispy & Juicy – Perfectly breaded chicken with a tender center
✔ Bold Bang Bang Sauce – Sweet, spicy, creamy, and totally crave-worthy
✔ Baked or Fried – Choose your favorite method
✔ Family-Friendly – Mild enough for kids, with optional extra heat
✔ Great for Parties or Meal Prep – Reheat well and perfect for finger food spreads

💡 Pro Tip- Serve with toothpicks or skewers and extra dipping sauce for the ultimate party snack setup!

Ingredients

For the Chicken Nuggets-

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
• ¾ cup cornstarch or all-purpose flour
• ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko for extra crunch)
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• Oil for frying, or spray for baking

For the Bang Bang Sauce-

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
• 1 tbsp Sriracha (adjust for heat preference)
• 1 tsp honey (optional, for added sweetness)
• 1 tsp rice vinegar or lime juice (for brightness)

Instructions

1️⃣ Marinate the Chicken
Soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 20 minutes (or up to overnight) to tenderize and add moisture.

2️⃣ Bread the Nuggets
In a bowl, mix cornstarch, breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Remove chicken from buttermilk and toss in the dry mix until coated evenly.

3️⃣ Cook the Chicken

• To Bake- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place nuggets on a lined baking sheet. Spray lightly with oil. Bake for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
• To Fry- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry nuggets in batches for 3–4 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.

4️⃣ Make the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and vinegar or lime juice. Taste and adjust spice/sweetness as needed.

5️⃣ Toss & Serve
Add warm chicken nuggets to a large bowl and drizzle with Bang Bang sauce. Toss gently to coat or serve the sauce on the side for dipping.

Recipe Variations

Looking to switch things up or tailor the recipe to your needs? Here are some tasty and creative ways to customize your Bang Bang Chicken Nuggets–

🔹 Air Fryer Option – Crispy with Less Oil
Want that irresistible crunch without deep frying? The air fryer is your best friend!
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the breaded chicken nuggets for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway through. They’ll come out perfectly golden and crispy with a fraction of the oil-great for a lighter version that still delivers on texture and flavor.

🔹 Extra Crispy – Double the Coating, Double the Crunch
If you love that super crunchy bite, try double-coating your chicken. After the first dredge in the flour mixture, dip the chicken back into buttermilk and coat again with flour and breadcrumbs. This extra layer creates a thicker, crunchier crust that holds up beautifully to the sauce.

💡 Tip- Let the coated chicken rest for 5–10 minutes before cooking to help the breading stick better.

🔹 Low-Carb Version – Keto-Friendly and Just as Tasty
Watching carbs? No problem! You can easily make these nuggets low-carb and keto-friendly-

• Use almond flour or a mix of almond flour and grated Parmesan instead of breadcrumbs.
• For the sauce, swap sweet chili sauce with a sugar-free chili garlic sauce or mix mayo with a touch of hot sauce and monk fruit syrup for sweetness.

This keeps all the flavor, minus the carbs!

🔹 Bang Bang Chicken Tacos – A Fun Twist for Taco Night
Turn your nuggets into the star of the taco bar! Serve them in warm tortillas (flour, corn, or low-carb) and load them up with-

• Shredded lettuce or cabbage
• Pickled red onions
• Diced cucumbers or avocado
• Extra Bang Bang sauce drizzle
• A squeeze of fresh lime for brightness

Perfect for parties, meal-prep lunches, or just switching things up on a weeknight!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

❓ Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, these nuggets are perfect for prepping in advance! You can fully cook the chicken nuggets (baked or fried) and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to serve, reheat them in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 8–10 minutes, or pop them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5–6 minutes to bring back that crispy texture.

💡 Tip- Wait to toss them in the Bang Bang sauce until just before serving. This keeps the coating crispy and prevents the nuggets from becoming soggy during storage.

❓ Is the Bang Bang sauce spicy?

The traditional Bang Bang sauce has a mild-to-medium heat level, thanks to the combination of sweet chili sauce and Sriracha. It’s flavorful and slightly tangy with just the right kick for most palates.

For a milder version- Skip the Sriracha or reduce it significantly. You’ll still get lots of flavor from the sweet chili sauce and creamy mayo.
For more heat- Add extra Sriracha, crushed red pepper flakes, or even a dash of hot sauce for those who like it spicy!

💡 Fun idea- Serve the sauce on the side so everyone can customize their heat level.

❓ Can I use store-bought chicken nuggets instead?

Absolutely! This is a great time-saving hack. If you’re in a rush or feeding a crowd, simply bake or air fry frozen store-bought nuggets and toss them in the homemade Bang Bang sauce before serving.

It’s a fast and easy shortcut that still delivers bold, restaurant-style flavor-and no one has to know you didn’t make them from scratch!

💡 Pro Tip- Choose plain or lightly seasoned nuggets to let the sauce shine.

❓ Can I freeze Bang Bang chicken?

Yes, with a small adjustment. You’ll want to freeze the cooked chicken nuggets without the sauce to maintain the best texture. Here’s how-

1. Let the cooked nuggets cool completely.
2. Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid.
3. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 2 months.

To reheat-

• Oven- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes
• Air fryer- Cook at 350°F (175°C) for 6–8 minutes

Once hot and crispy, toss them in freshly made Bang Bang sauce just before serving. This keeps the coating from going soft and ensures maximum flavor!

Conclusion- Irresistible Flavor in Every Bite

These Bang Bang Chicken Nuggets are more than just a fun twist on classic chicken bites-they’re a flavor explosion that brings together everything we love in comfort food- crispy texture, juicy chicken, and a bold, creamy-spicy sauce that hits all the right notes.

Whether you’re whipping them up for a quick family dinner, serving them as a game-day appetizer, or putting together a crowd-pleasing snack platter, they’re guaranteed to be the first thing to disappear from the table.

Their versatility makes them even better-bake, fry, or air fry depending on your vibe, and adjust the heat to suit any crowd. Pair them with rice for a full meal, toss them into wraps, or skewer them with toothpicks for a party-ready presentation.

🔥 Try them once, and you’ll be hooked. This is one of those recipes that quickly turns into a go-to favorite-easy, craveable, and downright addictive every single time.

Your next game night, potluck, or weeknight dinner just got a serious upgrade! 🍗🔥🥢

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