If you are craving a snack that bursts with bold flavors and fun textures, this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe is your new best friend. Imagine crispy, tender chicken cutlets coated in a perfect crunchy shell, nestled inside soft slider rolls, then topped with a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce that lingers delightfully on your palate. This recipe perfectly balances heat, creaminess, and crispness, making every bite an absolute joy. Whether you’re serving friends at a casual get-together or just treating yourself to something special, these sliders are guaranteed to steal the show and have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is key to capturing the irresistible essence of the Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe. Each component brings its own magic—crispy coatings, tender chicken, and that signature spicy sauce—coming together like a flavor symphony on your plate.
- Thin sliced chicken breasts: These cook quickly and stay juicy, perfect for slider-sized portions.
- Kosher salt, fresh black pepper, garlic powder: Simple seasonings that elevate the chicken’s natural flavor.
- Flour and cornstarch: A combo that creates an extra crispy crust when fried.
- Buttermilk, hot sauce, and egg: This wet mixture not only tenderizes but adds tang and subtle heat.
- Panko bread crumbs: Essential for that light, airy crunch on the chicken.
- Vegetable or canola oil: For frying—neutral oil that gets nice and hot for a perfectly crispy finish.
- Mozzarella cheese slices: Melts beautifully on warm chicken, adding creamy texture without overpowering.
- Slider rolls: Soft and slightly sweet, the perfect base to hold all the delicious fillings.
- Bang Bang Sauce: The star of the show—a creamy, spicy sauce that ties everything together with a zesty kick.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
Step 1: Season and Set Up Your Breading Station
Start by seasoning your chicken breasts thoroughly with kosher salt, fresh black pepper, and garlic powder. This simple seasoning creates a flavorful foundation that shines through even after frying. Next, prepare your breading station: mix flour and cornstarch in one bowl for that extra crisp coating, blend your buttermilk with hot sauce and egg in another for tenderizing and flavor, and prepare your panko breadcrumbs in the third bowl to add crunch.
Step 2: Bread the Chicken Cutlets
Take each seasoned chicken breast and dredge it first in the flour-cornstarch mix, shaking off any excess. Then dip it carefully in the buttermilk-hot sauce-egg mixture, allowing any extra liquid to drip off so you don’t get soggy breading. Last, press the chicken firmly into the panko crumbs to get a thick, even coating that will fry up beautifully. Repeat this process with the remaining pieces. Trust me, this layering is what ensures each bite is crunchy and satisfying.
Step 3: Fry to Crispy Perfection
Heat a thin layer of vegetable or canola oil in a skillet over medium heat until it’s hot but not smoking. Carefully place your breaded chicken cutlets in the skillet, making sure not to crowd the pan—this helps keep the coating crisp. Cook each piece for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees for safety. Once cooked, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil but keep that crunch intact.
Step 4: Whisk Together the Bang Bang Sauce
While your chicken is frying, take a moment to whisk together the bang bang sauce in a small bowl. This sauce brings all the elements together with its creamy texture and bright, spicy flavor that is nothing short of addictive. Having it ready when you assemble makes the whole process seamless and enjoyable.
Step 5: Assemble Your Sliders
Cut the crispy chicken cutlets into smaller slider-sized pieces then place each piece on the soft slider buns. Add a slice of mozzarella while the chicken is still warm so it melts just right, followed by a generous drizzle of your freshly whisked bang bang sauce. Serve immediately for that perfect contrast of warm, crispy, creamy, and spicy in every bite.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh garnishes elevates these sliders to another level of flavor and texture. Thinly sliced green onions provide a mild onion crunch and beautiful color contrast. Crisp shredded lettuce adds refreshing freshness and crunch. A few pickled jalapeño slices are great for those who want an extra kick of heat. Each garnish brings a little something special that complements the bold bang bang sauce without overpowering it.
Side Dishes
The Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe pairs wonderfully with simple, crowd-pleasing sides that balance heat and crunch. Try serving with classic crispy French fries or sweet potato fries for that indulgent combo. A light coleslaw with a tangy dressing offers a cool, crisp contrast to the spicy chicken. Fresh vegetable sticks with a creamy ranch dip also make a fantastic, easy side that pleases all ages.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, turn your sliders into a party platter by stacking a colorful variety of garnishes and sauces so everyone builds their own. Wrap each slider in parchment paper tied with butcher’s twine for a charming picnic vibe. Or serve mini sliders open-faced with an additional drizzle of bang bang sauce and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro for a fresh pop of color and flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the fried chicken cutlets and buns separately in airtight containers to keep the breading from getting soggy. The bang bang sauce should be kept in a sealed jar in the fridge. This way, your sliders maintain their integrity and you can reassemble fresh-tasting bites later.
Freezing
You can freeze the breaded chicken cutlets before frying by placing them on a baking sheet and flash freezing until solid, then transferring to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, fry them straight from frozen with a couple extra minutes of cooking time. Avoid freezing the assembled sliders, as the rolls and sauce don’t freeze well together.
Reheating
For best results, reheat the chicken cutlets in a 375-degree oven on a wire rack to preserve crispiness, about 10-12 minutes. Warm your slider buns briefly in the oven or toaster. Add freshly warmed mozzarella and bang bang sauce just before serving to recreate that irresistibly fresh experience from the original Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for the Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe?
Absolutely! Boneless, thinly sliced chicken thighs can be a great alternative. They tend to be more flavorful and stay juicy, but you may need to adjust cooking time slightly due to thickness.
What makes the bang bang sauce “Bang Bang”?
The name comes from the sauce’s characteristic blend of creamy, spicy, and tangy flavors—usually made with mayo, sweet chili sauce, and hot sauce. It’s this combination that gives the sliders their signature kick.
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?
Yes, baking is a healthier option. Coat the breaded chicken with a little oil spray and bake at 425°F for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
What type of slider rolls work best?
Soft, slightly sweet rolls like Hawaiian rolls or classic white slider buns are ideal. They balance the spicy chicken and sauce perfectly without overpowering them.
How spicy is this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe?
The recipe offers a moderate spiciness that can easily be adjusted by how much hot sauce you add to the buttermilk and the bang bang sauce. It’s usually pleasantly spicy but not overwhelmingly hot.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so joyful about making and sharing this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe—it’s quick, flavorful, and brings people together with every bite. Whether it’s a busy weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, these sliders make any moment feel special. Dive in, get a little messy, and enjoy the perfect harmony of crispy, spicy, and creamy that only bang bang chicken can deliver.
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Bang Bang Chicken Sliders are crispy, spicy, and loaded with flavor. Tender thinly sliced chicken breasts are seasoned, breaded with a crunchy panko coating, and fried to golden perfection. Topped with melty mozzarella cheese and drizzled with creamy, zesty bang bang sauce, these sliders make a perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer or meal ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken and Breading
- 1 1/2 pounds thin sliced chicken breasts
- Kosher salt, fresh black pepper, and garlic powder for seasoning
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups Panko bread crumbs (or more as needed)
- Vegetable or canola oil for frying
- 12 slices mozzarella cheese
- 12 slider rolls
Bang Bang Sauce
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha or hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season both sides of the thin sliced chicken breasts generously with kosher salt, fresh black pepper, and garlic powder to enhance flavor.
- Prepare the Breading Station: In separate bowls, combine flour and cornstarch for the dry mixture; whisk together buttermilk, hot sauce, and egg for the wet mixture; place panko bread crumbs in a third bowl for the final coating.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then dip into the buttermilk mixture allowing excess to drip off, and finally press into the panko bread crumbs ensuring an even, thick coating. Set coated chicken aside on a plate.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat a thin layer of vegetable or canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken cutlets in batches without overcrowding, cooking for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey (if using), and lime juice in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Sliders: Cut cooked chicken cutlets into smaller pieces and place on slider rolls. Top each piece with a slice of mozzarella cheese while still warm to melt slightly. Drizzle generously with the prepared bang bang sauce and serve immediately.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee safety.
- Adjust the heat level of the bang bang sauce by adding more or less hot sauce to taste.
- For crispier chicken, use panko bread crumbs rather than regular bread crumbs.
- Can substitute slider rolls with mini buns or small sandwich rolls of choice.
- If preferred, oven-bake the chicken at 400°F for 15-18 minutes as a healthier alternative, flipping halfway through cooking.
