Easy Bang Bang Chicken in the Air Fryer Recipe

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May 1

Chicken can feel kind of intimidating—especially if you're not used to cooking it. One of my friends was vegan for over 12 years and just recently started reintroducing meat into her meals. She told me how overwhelmed she felt: What do I cook? How do I cook it? Where do I even start?

That’s exactly the kind of person I keep in mind when I’m creating recipes. My whole approach is about keeping things simple and beginner-friendly. No complicated techniques, no long ingredient lists—just real food that comes together in about 30 minutes.

This chicken recipe is a perfect example. It uses a handful of spices, a sauce that pulls it all together, and no breading (which means fewer steps and fewer dishes—yes please). If you can stir a few ingredients together, you can make this. I love serving it over fluffy white rice with a sprinkle of scallions, and just like that, dinner’s done.

Related: Bang Bang Salmon Bites

Note: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

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Let’s Talk About Bang Bang Sauce

This creamy, spicy magic is what brings the whole dish together. My mom is the queen of spice—she always kicks things up a notch, no matter what the recipe says. So naturally, I think of her every time I’m mixing up something with a little heat.

If you're into that fiery flavor too, here are a few ways to turn up the heat:

Add an extra ½ tablespoon of sriracha
Stir in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Or mix in 1 teaspoon of chili garlic sauce

This sauce is super versatile—it’s not just for chicken. It also doubles as a dipping sauce for shrimp, veggies, or even crispy tofu. Make it mild or make it bold—either way, this sauce is bringing the flavor.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 medium breasts)

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon olive oil (to help the seasoning stick)

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce

1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to your heat level)

1 teaspoon honey

Juice of 1 lime

Optional Toppings:

Thinly sliced green onions or spring onions

Toasted sesame seeds

Chopped cilantro

Extra drizzle of Bang Bang sauce

Crushed peanuts

Lime wedges on the side

My Recommended Products for This Recipe:

Ninja Knife Set: Perfect for precision and sharpness in every cut! Check it out here
Wonder Oven: Get cooking with the perfect oven size for any need—choose from the regular size here or the large size here
Cutting Board: A solid, reliable cutting board for all your prep work! Find it here
Food Grade Gloves: Keep your hands clean and safe when handling raw chicken or any other food! Grab them here

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Directions:

Prep the Chicken: Pat chicken dry with a paper towel. Use a sharp knife to lightly score the top of each chicken breast in a criss-cross pattern (about 1/4 inch deep). This helps the seasoning and sauce soak in.

Season: In a small bowl, mix paprika, garlic powder, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. Rub olive oil over the chicken, then sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over both sides. Rub it in with your fingers. I like to wear food grade gloves when I handle raw chicken!

Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice until smooth and creamy. Set aside about 1/4 of the sauce for drizzling after cooking.

Coat and Air Fry: Brush the remaining sauce all over the chicken (top and bottom). Place the chicken in a preheated air fryer at 375°F and cook for 16–19 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through (internal temperature should be 165°F).

Serve: Slice the chicken and serve it over white rice. Drizzle with the reserved sauce and top with your favorite toppings.

What to Pair This Recipe With

For the perfect side, serve your Bang Bang Chicken with my fluffy white rice. It soaks up the sauce beautifully and makes for a satisfying meal. You can also pair it with roasted veggies or a simple salad for a complete dish!

How to Meal Prep This

Want to make your week a little easier? Just double the chicken and sauce ingredients to prep four servings instead of two. Cook it, let it cool completely, and then store everything in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Boom—lunch or dinner, ready when you are.

You can also marinate the chicken ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to air fry. It’s a great way to save time during the week.

How to Store It

Let the chicken cool fully before storing.
Pop it into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Store the Bang Bang sauce separately in a sealed jar or container to keep it fresh and creamy.
Reheat the chicken in the air fryer or microwave before serving—it’ll crisp right back up!

How to Substitute Chicken Thighs

Prefer dark meat? Chicken thighs work beautifully here. They’re a little fattier, which makes them extra juicy and full of flavor.

Use the same seasoning and sauce.
Air fry at 375°F for about 14–16 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temp hits 165°F.

How to Bake the Chicken

No air fryer? No problem.

Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Place the sauce-coated chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until it hits an internal temp of 165°F.
Broil for the last 2–3 minutes to get that golden, slightly crispy finish.

Ingredient Substitutions

Make it work with what you’ve got! Here are a few easy swaps:

Swap chicken for tofu, salmon, or chicken thighs.
Swap mayo for Greek yogurt or your favorite vegan mayo.
Use maple syrup or agave instead of honey.
Out of sriracha? Use any hot sauce you love.
No sweet chili sauce? Mix apricot jam with a pinch of chili flakes in a pinch—it works like a charm.

More Delicious Chicken Recipes

FAQs

Yes! You can bake the chicken in the oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If you want a crispy finish, broil for the last 2-3 minutes. The chicken will still be delicious and flavorful!
It's best to thaw chicken before cooking for even cooking and better texture. However, if you’re in a pinch, you can cook chicken pieces from frozen in the air fryer. Just increase the cooking time and make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F. This is a great recipe if you're a busy mom trying to get dinner on the table quickly!
To keep the crispy texture, reheat the chicken in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3-5 minutes. If you don't mind a slightly softer texture, you can microwave it. Either way, it’s still a delicious dinner!
Absolutely! You can swap chicken for bang bang shrimp, tofu, or even salmon. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time for each protein. For example, shrimp takes only about 6-8 minutes in the air fryer. For a fun variation, you could even try chicken skewers with this spicy sauce for a different variation.
Yes! The sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to a week, so you can prep it in advance. If you want to make it a bit milder, simply reduce the sriracha sauce or swap it for a milder hot sauce. The delicious sauce also works well as a dip for veggies or crispy tofu.
To make the sauce medium heat instead of fiery, just reduce the sriracha sauce or substitute it with a milder hot sauce. You can also add more honey to balance the spicy kick if you're making it for kids or those who are sensitive to heat.
Yes! If you're looking for a healthier option, Greek yogurt is a great substitute for mayonnaise. It’ll give the sauce a tangy flavor and creamy texture, which still makes a delicious sauce for your chicken. If you want to make it even lighter, you can use homemade mayonnaise instead of store-bought.
Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F. If you’re cooking small pieces of chicken, they’ll cook faster. It’s important to make sure the chicken is in a single layer in the air fryer so that it cooks evenly and reaches the proper temperature.
Absolutely! Just make sure the chicken is arranged in a single layer in the air fryer basket for even cooking. You can easily double both the chicken and sauce ingredients to serve more people or for meal prep.

And that’s a wrap! This Bang Bang Chicken is honestly one of those recipes I turn to when I need something quick, easy, and totally satisfying. Whether it's your first time cooking chicken or you’re a seasoned pro, I promise it’s a crowd-pleaser.

Pair it with my fluffy white rice or toss in some veggies for a full meal. It’s one of those dishes that always hits the spot, and I bet it’ll become a regular on your dinner table too! Enjoy!

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