Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Thighs cook up perfectly moist and juicy, all without any breading or deep frying. It’s an incredibly easy and delicious chicken featuring a lip-smacking bang bang sauce and can also be transformed into a variety of meals for dinner.
What is bang bang chicken? It features tender, succulent chicken drizzled or tossed in a mouthwatering creamy and spicy sauce made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. This dish is celebrated for its perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors and is often breaded and deep-fried to achieve a delightful crunch.
As with all boneless chicken thigh recipes, I streamlined this recipe by using chicken thighs, which eliminates the need for chopping or slicing. With no breading involved, it’s naturally gluten-free and incredibly easy to prepare. Simply marinate the chicken thighs and air fry it, and you’ll have dinner ready in under 30 minutes with minimal effort! If you are looking for a vegetarian version, then you will love this baked bang bang cauliflower.
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Why you'll love it?
- Easy 30 minute chicken recipe
- Harmonious blend of spicy, creamy, and sweet
- Easy chicken dinner
- No breading or deep frying
- Moist and juicy thighs
- Ideal to be made into a plethora of dishes
- No chopping or dicing - Just mix, cook and serve
Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Chicken thighs - As I mention in my boneless chicken thighs recipes round up post, they cooks up juicy and tender. Refer notes to use boneless breasts.
- Garlic powder - Garlic powder adds convenience and ease to the recipe, eliminating the need to chop fresh garlic. It also helps the sauce adhere to the chicken.
- Paprika - Use either regular or smoked paprika.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base of a classic restaurant style bang bang sauce.
- Sweet chili sauce: Also referred to as Thai or Asian sweet chili sauce, it’s a sweet, savory, tangy and spicy sauce made using red chilies, garlic, ginger, sugar and vinegar. I prefer to use Mae Ploy sweet chili sauce which can be easily found in most major super markets and Amazon.
- Sriracha: For the bang in bang bang! Feel free to use according to your heat tolerance.
- Honey: Elevates the sweetness and also makes the sauce a little sticky.
How to make bang bang chicken?
You can find the full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
How long does Bang Bang Sauce last in the fridge?
How to serve?
Air fried bang bang chicken thighs make an outstanding main course, elegantly drizzled with sauce or served alongside for dipping. For an added touch of flavor and color, garnish with chopped scallions or cilantro and a sprinkle of toasted white sesame seeds. Pair the dish with a bed of rice or noodles, along with a light side salad, for a complete air fryer dinner.
Creative serving suggestions
- Lettuce wraps -Similar to chickpea lettuce wraps, chop the chicken and serve it in crisp lettuce leaves. Top with the sauce, diced cucumber, scallions, shredded carrots, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added crunch and flavor.
- Tacos: Fill soft or crispy tortillas with the meat and the sauce, adding toppings like avocado, cilantro, and slaw.
- Rice bowls: Layer it over a bed of cooked jasmine rice or quinoa, along with fresh green vegetables and a drizzle of sauce for a hearty bowl.
- Sandwich: Inspired by tandoori chicken sandwiches, serve it on toasted buns topped with crunchy coleslaw and a generous spread of sauce.
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Recipe tips
- Adjust sriracha based on your spice tolerance
- To use boneless chicken breasts, lightly pound the breasts to flatten it and even out the thickness. Marinate, then cook it smooth side down at 375°F for 4 minutes. Flip and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes, or until fully cooked through.
- To prepare bang bang skewers, cut the thighs or breasts into 1-inch chunks, marinate them, then thread onto skewers and air fry until cooked through.
More air fryer chicken recipes
Bang Bang Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
Sauce
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- ¾ tablespoon Sriracha sauce use more if you like it spicy
- ½ tablespoon honey
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Make sauce - Add all sauce ingredients into a small bowl and mix to combine.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and place in a medium bowl. Add ¼ cup of the prepared sauce, paprika, garlic powder and salt. Mix to combine.(Refrigerate remaining sauce until serving time)
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F. When hot, place chicken thighs, smooth side down into the air fryer basket and cook for 6 minutes.
- Use kitchen tongs to flip the chicken over, and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes on the second side, or until chicken is cooked through and deep golden in color.
- Serve with the bang bang sauce!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
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Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats
Mmmm looks so yummy Maria! Perfect vegetarian taco or meatless Monday dinner!
Maria Doss
Totally!! Thank you Kelly:)
Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes
That cauliflower looks perfectly fried 😛 I know its baked, but its too crispy and crunchy to be baked!! Love these tacos!! Delightful!
Maria Doss
That's the best part Deepika, thanks:)
jenny
That looks delicious! I love cauliflower!
Maria Doss
Thank you Jenny:)