Best Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe for Game Day

I’ll never forget the first time these little flavor bombs stole the show at my Super Bowl party. Picture this: fourth quarter, tension high, and suddenly my famous wings were being ignored for these spicy-sweet bang bang chicken sliders flying off the platter. As a culinary school grad turned game day enthusiast, I knew I’d struck gold with this easy bang bang chicken recipe. Today, I’m sharing my perfected version so you can become the MVP of your next gathering!

What Exactly is Bang Bang Chicken Sliders? A Brief History

Bang Bang Chicken traces its roots to Sichuan cuisine, named for the “bang bang” sound of tenderizing meat with a stick. My slider adaptation modernizes this tradition by pairing crispy, saucy chicken with soft brioche buns. The magic lies in the signature bang bang sauce recipe—a creamy, spicy-sweet emulsion that clings perfectly to golden chicken. These Asian inspired chicken sliders deliver explosive flavor in every bite, making them ideal quick party sliders for hungry crowds.

The Ingredients You’ll Need

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• For the Chicken:
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (chopped into 1-inch pieces; thighs stay juicier than breasts)
  • 1 cup buttermilk (for tenderizing)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch (key for extra crunch)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Vegetable oil (for frying)
• Bang Bang Sauce:
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (full-fat for best texture)
  • 3 tbsp sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tbsp sriracha (adjust for heat preference)
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp honey
• Assembly:
  • 12 slider buns (brioche recommended)
  • 1 cup shredded Napa cabbage
  • ½ cup thinly sliced scallions
  • Pickled carrots (optional for tang)

Essential Kitchen Equipment

• Heavy Dutch oven: Maintains steady oil temperature for crispy chicken
• Candy thermometer: Crucial for monitoring 350°F frying temp
• Wire rack + baking sheet: Keeps fried chicken crispy while draining
• Piping bag or squeeze bottle: For artful sauce application

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for Perfect Bang Bang Chicken Sliders

Phase 1: Prep Work

1. In a bowl, combine chicken pieces and buttermilk. Let marinate 20 minutes (or up to 4 hours refrigerated).
2. Whisk flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper in a shallow dish.
3. Prepare bang bang sauce by whisking all sauce ingredients until smooth. Refrigerate.

Phase 2: Frying the Chicken

4. Heat 2 inches of oil in Dutch oven to 350°F (use thermometer).
5. Remove chicken from buttermilk, shaking off excess. Dredge thoroughly in flour mixture.
6. Fry chicken in batches for 5-6 minutes until golden and internal temp reaches 165°F.
7. Transfer chicken to wire rack. Immediately season with salt.

Phase 3: Assembly

8. Toss fried chicken in ⅓ of bang bang sauce until coated.
9. Toast slider buns cut-side down in a dry skillet until golden.
10. Layer bottom buns with cabbage, chicken pieces, extra sauce drizzle, scallions, and pickled carrots if using. Cap with top buns.
11. Skewer each slider with a decorative toothpick for serving.

Chef Nora’s Insider Techniques

• Texture Mastery: Double-dredge chicken (flour → buttermilk → flour again) for extra-crispy crust
• Flavor Layering: Brush sauce inside buns before assembling to prevent sogginess
• Time-Saving Hack: Make sauce 3 days ahead; fry chicken 2 hours pre-game and re-crisp in 400°F oven for 5 minutes

Troubleshooting Common Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Issues

• Soggy Sliders: Assemble just before serving. Keep components separate until kickoff.
• Too Spicy: Reduce sriracha to 1 tsp and add 1 tbsp honey to sauce.
• Chicken Not Crispy: Ensure oil stays at 350°F and don’t overcrowd the pot.

Creative Variations to Try

• Korean Twist: Swap bang bang sauce for gochujang mayo + kimchi slaw
• Air Fryer Version: Spray dredged chicken with oil and air fry at 400°F for 12 minutes (flip halfway)
• Nashville Hot: Add 1 tbsp cayenne pepper and 2 tsp brown sugar to leftover frying oil, brush on chicken

The Perfect Pairings: What to Serve With Bang Bang Chicken Sliders

Beverages	Sides	Sauces
Ice-cold lager	Sweet potato fries	Extra bang bang sauce
Ginger limeade	Asian cucumber salad	Sriracha mayo
Sparkling riesling	Wonton chips	Peanut dipping sauce

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions

• Fridge: Store components separately up to 3 days. Reheat chicken on wire rack at 375°F for 8 minutes.
• Freezer: Freeze sauced chicken on parchment-lined sheet. Once solid, transfer to bags for 2 months. Reheat from frozen at 400°F for 15 minutes.
• Pro Tip: Buns freeze beautifully—thaw at room temperature and refresh in warm oven.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bang Bang Chicken Sliders

• Can I make these gluten-free? Absolutely! Use GF flour blend and cornstarch for dredging, and GF buns.
• How do I adjust spice level? Control heat via sriracha. For milder version, use ½ tsp; for extra kick, add ½ tsp chili flakes.
• Can I bake instead of fry? Yes—place on wire rack over baking sheet. Bake at 425°F for 18 minutes, flipping halfway.
• What if I don’t have buttermilk? Make DIY buttermilk: 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice/vinegar. Let sit 10 minutes.

Conclusion: Your Culinary Adventure Awaits

There you have it—my ultimate game day secret weapon! These bang bang chicken sliders deliver maximum flavor with minimum fuss, making them the best chicken slider ideas for any gathering.
👩‍🍳 Let’s keep cooking together!
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