Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken (lower calories and healthy)
There is something dangerously addictive about bang bang chicken. Juicy pieces of chicken coated in a creamy, sweet and spicy sauce make this one of those meals that disappears very quickly.
This air fryer bang bang chicken is my lower calorie and healthy version that comes together in about 30 minutes. The chicken breast gets seasoned with paprika, garlic powder and a little cornstarch, then air fried until golden and juicy before getting tossed in a simple homemade bang bang sauce.
The best part is that you can eat it straight from the bowl as a snack, or serve it over hot rice with vegetables for a quick weeknight dinner!
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What Is Bang Bang Chicken?
Bang bang chicken is a popular dish made with crispy chicken tossed in a creamy, sweet and spicy sauce.
The sauce usually has a mayonnaise base combined with sweet chili sauce and a spicy ingredient like sriracha. It has that perfect combination of creamy, sweet, tangy and spicy flavors.
For this air fryer bang bang chicken recipe, I keep the chicken really simple. There is no complicated breading. The chicken breast cubes are seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, salt and cornstarch, then cooked in the air fryer until the edges are golden.
Once the chicken is cooked, it gets tossed in the bang bang sauce while it is still hot.
A Lighter Bang Bang Chicken
Traditional bang bang chicken is usually deep fried, often with a flour or breadcrumb coating and plenty of oil. I wanted something that gave me all the creamy, sweet and spicy flavor without making such a heavy meal.
This air fryer version uses just a light spray of cooking oil instead of deep frying the chicken. Air frying uses much less added oil than deep frying, which can help reduce the calories and fat from the cooking process.
I also keep the chicken simple with a small amount of cornstarch instead of a thick breading. The result is juicy chicken with lightly golden edges and plenty of bang bang sauce.
For an even lighter meal, serve the chicken with steamed vegetables and a moderate portion of rice. You still get that creamy, sweet and spicy bang bang chicken experience while keeping the overall meal lighter.
Why I Love This Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken
This recipe is perfect when you want something quick that still feels like a proper meal.
It is ready in about 30 minutes. The chicken only needs 15 minutes to marinate and about 14 minutes in the air fryer.
The chicken stays juicy. Cutting the chicken into bite sized pieces helps it cook quickly while keeping the inside tender. With that said, chicken breast will never be as juicy as chicken thighs. Feel free to substitute with chicken thighs if you want a juicier bite, but chicken breast is definitely the healthier, lower fat option.
The sauce takes one minute. Mix everything together in a bowl and you are done. Making that addictive creamy, sweet and spicy sauce is that easy!
It works as a snack or dinner. Eat the chicken by itself or serve it with rice and vegetables.
The air fryer does most of the work. Once the chicken is seasoned and on the rack, you can work on the sauce while it cooks.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken
Cut the Chicken Into Even Pieces
- Try to cut your chicken into similar sized pieces. This helps everything cook at the same speed.
- If you have a mixture of tiny pieces and large chunks, the smaller pieces can cook much faster.
Give the Chicken Some Space
- Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the air fryer rack.
- Air needs to circulate around the chicken so the outside can brown properly. If you are making a larger batch, cook it in batches instead of packing everything onto the rack.
Spray the Chicken Before and After Flipping
- A light coating of cooking oil spray helps the chicken develop golden edges.
- You only need a little bit. Give it a spray before cooking and another light spray after flipping.
Toss the Sauce With the Chicken Right Before Serving
- I recommend tossing the chicken with the bang bang sauce right before you eat.
- The longer the chicken sits in the sauce, the softer the outside becomes. Freshly cooked chicken tossed in freshly mixed sauce gives you the best combination of juicy chicken and creamy sauce.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For the best texture, store the chicken and bang bang sauce separately when possible.
Reheat the chicken in the air fryer until hot, then toss it with the sauce before serving.
Other Great Meal Prep Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you cook bang bang chicken in the air fryer?
Cook the chicken at 380°F for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken, spray it with cooking oil and cook for another 4 minutes.
The exact cooking time depends on the size of your chicken pieces and your air fryer, so make sure the chicken is fully cooked before serving.
Can I use chicken thighs for bang bang chicken?
Yes. Boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and give you juicy, flavorful chicken. Cut them into bite sized pieces and follow the same cooking method
What is bang bang sauce made of?
My bang bang sauce is made with low fat mayonnaise, sriracha, Thai chili sauce and honey. It is creamy, sweet and spicy and takes about a minute to mix together.
Is bang bang chicken spicy?
The sauce has a mild to medium amount of heat from the sriracha. You can easily adjust the spice level by adding more or less sriracha.
Ingredients
Chicken
1 lb boneless chicken breast, cubed
1/2 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cornstarch
Cooking oil spray
Bang Bang Sauce
3 tbsp low fat mayonnaise
1 tsp sriracha
1 1/2 tbsp Thai chili sauce
1 tsp honey
Step by step instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
Cut the chicken breast into bite sized cubes. Add the chicken to a bowl with paprika, garlic powder, salt and cornstarch. Mix well until all the chicken is evenly coated.
Let the chicken marinate for 15 minutes.
2. Air Fry the Chicken
Place the chicken pieces on the air fryer rack in a single layer. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking oil spray. Air fry at 380°F for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and spray lightly with cooking oil again. Air fry for another 4 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.
3. Make the Bang Bang Sauce
While the chicken is cooking, add the mayonnaise, sriracha, Thai chili sauce and honey to a small bowl. Mix well until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
4. Toss the Chicken
Transfer the cooked chicken to a bowl. Pour the bang bang sauce over the chicken and toss well until every piece is coated. Serve immediately with hot rice and vegetables, or enjoy it on its own as a snack.
Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken (lower calories and healthy)
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast cubed
- 1/2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- Cooking oil spray
Bang Bang Sauce
- 3 tbsp low fat mayonnaise
- 1 tsp sriracha
- 1 1/2 tbsp Thai chili sauce
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- Cut the chicken breast into bite sized cubes. Add the chicken to a bowl with paprika, garlic powder, salt and cornstarch. Mix well until all the chicken is evenly coated.
- Let the chicken marinate for 15 minutes.
Air Fry the Chicken
- Place the chicken pieces on the air fryer rack in a single layer. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking oil spray. Air fry at 380°F for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and spray lightly with cooking oil again. Air fry for another 4 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.
Make the Bang Bang Sauce
- While the chicken is cooking, add the mayonnaise, sriracha, Thai chili sauce and honey to a small bowl. Mix well until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Toss the Chicken
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a bowl. Pour the bang bang sauce over the chicken and toss well until every piece is coated. Serve immediately with hot rice and vegetables, or enjoy it on its own as a snack.
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