Sweet Heat Easy Bang Bang Chicken Tenders
Sweet Heat Easy Bang Bang Chicken Tenders are crispy, juicy, and packed with bold flavors. Coated in a crunchy breading and tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce, these chicken tenders offer the perfect balance of sweet and heat. Great for a family dinner or as a party snack, they’re quick to make and impossible to resist. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra burst of flavor!
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 860kcal
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1 Cup Mayo
- ½ Cup Sweet Chili Sauce
- 1 Tsp Sriracha
- 2 Tbsp Honey
Chicken Marinate Ingredients:
- 3 lbs. Chicken Tenderloin (chicken breasts cut into strips)
- 1 Cup Buttermilk
- ¾ Cup Flour
- ½ Cup Cornstarch
- 1 Egg (beaten)
- 1 Tbsp Hot Sauce (or Sriracha)
- 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ Tsp Kosher Salt
- ¼ Tsp Black Pepper
Breading Ingredients:
- 2 Cups Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1 Cup Flour
- 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tsp Onion Powder
- ½ Tsp Salt
- ¼ Tsp Black Ground Pepper
- ½ Cup Vegetable Oil (for frying)
- Parsley or Green Onion (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup of mayo, ½ cup sweet chili sauce, 1 tsp sriracha, and 2 tbsp honey until smooth. Set aside for later.
- Chicken Marinade: Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup buttermilk, ¾ cup flour, ½ cup cornstarch, 1 beaten egg, 1 tbsp hot sauce (or sriracha), 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp kosher salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper. Fill and zip top bag with 3 lbs. of chicken tenderloins (or breast strips) into the marinade. Refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours to allow the chicken to absorb the flavors.
- Prepare Breading: In a shallow dish, mix 2 cups panko breadcrumbs, 1 cup flour, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black ground pepper. Remove the marinated chicken from the fridge. Coat each piece in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing down lightly to ensure the breading sticks well.
Air Fryer Instructions:
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and preheat for 3 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, then place the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer. Lightly spray the top of the tenders with more cooking spray.
- Cook: Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is crispy and golden brown. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Brush on Sauce: Once cooked, brush or dip the tenders in the Bang Bang sauce or serve with sauce on the side for dipping.
Oil Frying Instructions:
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat ½ cup vegetable oil over medium heat until it reaches about 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the breaded chicken tenders into the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy, ensuring the chicken is cooked through.
- Drain: Once fried, remove the chicken and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Brush on Sauce: Brush or dip the crispy chicken in the Bang Bang sauce, or serve it on the side for dipping.
- Optional Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped parsley or green onions for added flavor and a pop of color before serving.Enjoy your crispy, flavorful Bang Bang Chicken Tenders!
Nutrition
Calories: 860kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 55g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 193mg | Sodium: 1475mg | Potassium: 981mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 203IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 4mg