Spicy, creamy Bang Bang Chicken Sliders are perfect for parties or casual family weeknight dinners—super easy to make and packed with flavor!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Bang Bang Chicken Sliders are surprisingly simple to make, and every ingredient plays a vital role in creating that perfect combination of crisp, tenderness, and maximum flavor. From the nutty crunch of panko to the creamy heat of the sauce, nothing here is filler.
- Chicken Breasts: Thin-sliced for quick cooking and even crispiness, they’re the star of the show.
- Kosher Salt, Fresh Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Basic seasonings that wake up the chicken and add savory depth.
- Flour: Forms the sturdy base of the breading, making each bite golden and crisp.
- Cornstarch: Lightens up the flour and helps the coating shatter when you bite in.
- Buttermilk: Tenders the chicken and gives it a hint of tang, making it extra juicy.
- Hot Sauce: Adds a little kick, infusing the chicken with subtle heat before it even gets to the sauce.
- Large Egg: Binds the wet mixture and helps the coating cling perfectly to each piece.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: The secret to ultra-crunchy breading and that irresistible texture.
- Vegetable or Canola Oil: For shallow frying, giving every slider that golden, crispy edge.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts gently over hot chicken, adding creamy richness to each slider.
- Slider Rolls: Soft, fluffy buns to hold all the flavor together in every bite.
- Bang Bang Sauce: Creamy, tangy, and just a little spicy, it’s the addictive finishing touch for these sliders.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Sliders
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Begin by sprinkling your thin-sliced chicken breasts on both sides with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder. This simple combination primes the meat for maximum flavor, ensuring that every bite of your Bang Bang Chicken Sliders tastes completely seasoned from the inside out.
Step 2: Set Up the Breading Station
Next, create your breading assembly line. In one bowl, whisk together the flour and cornstarch for that light, crispy finish. In a second bowl, combine the buttermilk, hot sauce, and egg—this forms a tangy, spicy bath that will tenderize your chicken. In a third bowl, pour your panko bread crumbs, ready for the final coating.
Step 3: Bread the Chicken
Take each seasoned chicken piece and dredge it in the flour-cornstarch mixture first, giving it a light dusting. Shake off any excess, then dip the chicken into your buttermilk-hot sauce-egg blend, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Finally, press each piece firmly into the panko bread crumbs, making sure the crumbs stick well. Set your breaded chicken on a plate and repeat until every piece is coated and ready to sizzle.
Step 4: Fry the Chicken Cutlets
Heat a thin layer of vegetable or canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, carefully add the breaded chicken pieces, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry each cutlet for 2–3 minutes per side, until beautifully golden and cooked through (the internal temperature should hit 165 degrees). Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain while you finish the remaining pieces.
Step 5: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
While the chicken rests, whisk together your bang bang sauce ingredients in a small bowl. This creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet sauce will set your Bang Bang Chicken Sliders above the rest. Set it aside, letting it come to room temperature for the ultimate drizzle.
Step 6: Assemble the Sliders
Cut the crispy chicken cutlets into slider-size portions and tuck one inside each soft roll. Immediately top the chicken with a slice of mozzarella so it melts slightly from the heat. Finish strong with a generous drizzle of bang bang sauce, cap with the slider bun, and get ready to devour!
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Sliders
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped scallions or fresh cilantro drives home the color and freshness atop your Bang Bang Chicken Sliders. For a little crunch and heat, some people like to add thinly sliced jalapeños or extra panko on top. Even a dash of toasted sesame seeds can add a gorgeous finish and nutty note.
Side Dishes
Pair these irresistible sliders with classic crispy fries, sweet potato wedges, or even a light cabbage slaw for crunch and balance. If you want to keep the meal lighter, serve them alongside quick pickled veggies or a bright cucumber salad. Any way you plate it, Bang Bang Chicken Sliders play well with a whole roster of sides.
Creative Ways to Present
Set up a build-your-own slider bar with little bowls of bang bang sauce, pickled onions, extra cheese, and various greens so guests can customize their sandwiches. For parties, thread mini sliders onto skewers or serve on a wooden board with lots of garnishes—it’ll be a crowd magnet. Even for weeknight dinners, stacking the sliders on a platter with colorful napkins turns this recipe into a fun feast.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Bang Bang Chicken Sliders in an airtight container in the fridge. Store the chicken, sauce, and buns separately to preserve crispness and freshness. The chicken cutlets keep well for up to three days, making them perfect for next-day lunches or quick snacks.
Freezing
To freeze, let the cooked (ungarnished) chicken cutlets cool completely, then wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep their quality for up to a month. When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating for best results.
Reheating
The easiest way to reheat chicken cutlets is in a 325-degree oven for about 10–15 minutes, which keeps them crispy outside and hot inside. Microwaving is possible, but you’ll sacrifice some crunch. Bring your bang bang sauce to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture on your revived sliders.
FAQs
Can I make Bang Bang Chicken Sliders ahead of time?
Absolutely! The chicken can be cooked ahead and kept warm in a low oven until ready to assemble, and the bang bang sauce can be made in advance and brought to room temperature right before serving for easy entertaining.
What exactly is bang bang sauce?
Bang bang sauce is a creamy, slightly spicy blend (usually mayo, sriracha, and a touch of sweetener) that’s both tangy and addictive—it’s the signature touch that makes these Bang Bang Chicken Sliders so memorable and crave-worthy.
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?
You can, though frying gives the crispiest result. For baking, arrange breaded chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, spray lightly with oil, and bake at 425 degrees until cooked through and golden for a lighter version.
Can I use another type of cheese?
Definitely! Mozzarella is wonderfully melty and mild, but provolone, pepper jack, or even cheddar will work beautifully in Bang Bang Chicken Sliders, allowing you to put your own delicious spin on them.
Are Bang Bang Chicken Sliders spicy?
They do have a little gentle heat from the hot sauce and bang bang sauce, but you can control the spice level easily—cut back the hot sauce or choose a mild variety if you prefer a less spicy slider.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as the crispy, saucy bite of Bang Bang Chicken Sliders. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just shaking up your dinner routine, these sliders always hit the spot. I can’t wait for you to give them a try—be ready for smiles and requests for seconds!
You Might Also Like
If these Bang Bang Chicken Sliders hit the spot, you’ll love pairing them with low-carb cottage cheese cloud bread or our fluffy no-carb yogurt bread for a guilt-free twist. Craving bold flavors? Try the black pepper chicken with mushrooms for your next dinner idea. For something handheld and hearty, these ground beef tortilla wraps are a must-try. Or switch things up with lemon blueberry butter swim biscuits—a sweet and tangy side that balances the heat perfectly!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Diet: Halal
Description
These Bang Bang Chicken Sliders feature crispy fried chicken cutlets, topped with melty mozzarella cheese and drizzled with a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce, all served on soft slider rolls. Ready in just 20 minutes, they make the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack for gatherings, game days, or casual dinners.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 1/2 pounds thin sliced chicken breasts
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh black pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups (or more as needed) Panko bread crumbs
- Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
For Assembling:
- 12 slices mozzarella cheese
- 12 slider rolls
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- See instructions (typically mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey are common ingredients)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with kosher salt, fresh black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Set Up the Breading Station: In one bowl, whisk together the flour and cornstarch. In a second bowl, combine buttermilk, hot sauce, and the egg, whisking to blend. Place the Panko bread crumbs in a third shallow bowl.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each seasoned chicken breast into the flour mixture, ensuring it is coated evenly, and tap off excess. Next, dip into the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Then coat thoroughly with Panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently so the crumbs adhere. Place breaded chicken on a plate and repeat with the remaining pieces.
- Fry the Chicken Cutlets: Pour a thin layer of oil into a large skillet and heat over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add chicken cutlets in batches without overcrowding the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain while you fry remaining cutlets.
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: Whisk together your preferred bang bang sauce ingredients in a small bowl (typically mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey) and set aside.
- Assemble the Sliders: Cut the fried chicken cutlets into pieces sized for the slider rolls. Place a piece of chicken on each bun, immediately top with a slice of mozzarella so it melts over the warm cutlet, then generously drizzle with bang bang sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
- To keep chicken cutlets warm, place them in a 325°F (163°C) oven for up to an hour before serving, or reheat from refrigerated using the same method.
- Let bang bang sauce come to room temperature before assembling sliders so it doesn’t cool down the hot chicken.
- If you don’t have a meat thermometer, slice into a cutlet to ensure there’s no pink inside.
- Slider rolls can be lightly toasted for extra texture and flavor.
- Adjust the heat of the bang bang sauce according to your preference by varying the amount of hot sauce or Sriracha.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American