Quick Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken: Crispy, Spicy, and Irresistible
Crispy panko-crusted chicken tossed in a tangy garlic mayo sauce. Ready in under 20 minutes, this air-fried dish balances sweet, spicy, and umami with zero greasy finish. Perfect for quick weeknight meals.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American Fusion
- Diet: Gluten-Free (check sauce labels)
Ingredients
Chicken breast 1 lb (450g), cubed
Panko breadcrumbs 1/2 cup (50g)
Mayonnaise 1/4 cup (60g)
Sweet chili sauce 2 tbsp (30ml)
Sriracha sauce 1 tbsp (15ml)
Paprika 1 tsp (2.5g)
Lemon juice 1 tsp (5ml)
Salt 1/4 tsp
Instructions
Pulse chicken cubes through a meat grinder to standardize texture
Pat cubes with paper towel to remove moisture
Combine panko, paprika, and 1/4 tsp salt
Dredge chicken cubes in panko mixture
Shake off excess coating
Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes
Transfer to parchment-lined plate to prevent sticking
While chicken cooks, mix mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, lemon juice in a bowl
Toss hot chicken cubes in sauce immediately after air frying until coated
Rest 2 minutes before serving
Notes
Use boneless thighs instead of breasts for juicier results
Measure sweet chili/sriracha separately before blending to control heat level
For extra crunch, freeze breaded chicken 30 minutes before cooking
Stir sauce frequently as chicken cooks to prevent uneven coating