Sizzling Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs Recipe: Spicy Joy

Crispy, golden skillet bang bang chicken thighs pack a serious flavor punch that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Heat transforms ordinary poultry into an extraordinary meal bursting with zesty goodness.

Spicy sauce coats each tender piece, creating a mouthwatering experience everyone craves.

Home cooks adore this simple yet impressive dish that comes together in minutes.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of crunch and tangy excitement.

Unexpected ingredients elevate these chicken thighs from basic to phenomenal.

Come hungry and ready to savor every single delectable morsel!

Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs Bring Heat With A Creamy Finish

• Quick Weeknight Savior: Whip up this delicious chicken dish in just 15-20 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a tasty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Flavor Explosion: The bang bang sauce delivers a mouthwatering combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors that transform ordinary chicken thighs into an extraordinary dinner experience.
• Minimal Cleanup Hero: Using a single skillet means less washing up, making this recipe a dream for anyone who dreads post-meal kitchen cleanup.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Easily adaptable for different spice preferences by adjusting the Sriracha amount, ensuring everyone from kids to spice lovers can enjoy this delectable chicken dish.

All Elements In Bang Bang Chicken Thighs

• Chicken Thighs: Boneless and skinless cuts perfect for quick cooking and absorbing flavors, tender and juicy meat with rich taste.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for even cooking and preventing chicken from sticking to the skillet, helps create golden brown exterior.
• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasoning blend that enhances the natural chicken flavor, provides basic seasoning foundation.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Aromatic ground spices that add depth and savory complexity to the chicken, provide instant flavor without fresh ingredient prep.

Bang Bang Chicken Thighs In Skillet Guide

Step 1: Spice Up the Chicken

Generously coat chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, ensuring each piece is evenly seasoned for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Sizzle the Skin

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Carefully place chicken thighs skin-side down, letting them cook for 5-6 minutes until the skin turns golden and crispy, creating a delightful crunch.

Step 3: Flip and Finish Cooking

Turn the chicken thighs over and continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes.

Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing perfectly cooked chicken.

Step 4: Whip Up Bang Bang Sauce

• Mayonnaise
• Sweet chili sauce
• Sriracha
• Honey
• Rice vinegar

Whisk the ingredients until smooth and well blended, creating a tangy and sweet sauce that will elevate the chicken.

Step 5: Sauce and Serve

Remove chicken from the skillet and generously drizzle or brush the bang bang sauce over the top.

Plate immediately and serve hot for a mouthwatering meal that will wow everyone at the table.

Bang Bang Chicken Thighs Cooked The Pro Way

• Pat chicken thighs completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness and golden-brown exterior.
• Use a meat thermometer to accurately verify chicken has reached 165°F, preventing undercooking and ensuring food safety.
• Adjust bang bang sauce heat level by increasing or decreasing Sriracha amount to match personal spice preference.
• Replace regular mayonnaise with avocado or olive oil-based mayo to make the recipe gluten-free and suitable for sensitive diets.
• Sprinkle chopped green onions or sesame seeds over finished chicken for added texture and visual appeal.

Bang Bang Chicken Thighs Storing The Heat Right

• Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally to prevent drying and maintain crispy skin.
• Quickly reheat chicken on a microwave-safe plate, covering with a damp paper towel to retain moisture, heating in 30-second intervals.
• Keep remaining bang bang sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week, perfect for additional drizzling or dipping.

Bang Bang Chicken Pairing Tips

• Sizzle with Spicy Sweetness: Pair the bang bang chicken thighs with a crisp, cold cucumber salad that balances the sauce's heat and adds refreshing crunch.
• Cool Down the Fire: Select a light, slightly sweet Riesling wine that complements the sweet chili and Sriracha flavors while softening the spicy punch.
• Kick Up the Comfort: Serve alongside steamed jasmine rice to soak up the delicious bang bang sauce and provide a neutral base for the bold chicken flavors.
• Fresh Green Harmony: Add a side of quick-pickled green onions or a zesty Asian slaw to introduce tangy brightness that cuts through the richness of the chicken thighs.

Bang Bang Chicken Thighs Styles

• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace sweet chili sauce with a gluten-free version and use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce to maintain the flavor profile while keeping the recipe safe for gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap honey with sugar-free honey alternative or monk fruit sweetener to reduce carbohydrate content while preserving the original sweet-spicy sauce taste.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Use avocado oil instead of regular cooking oil and substitute mayonnaise with cashew-based or vegan mayo to make the recipe dairy-free and suitable for plant-based diets.
• Spicy Lover's Version: Increase Sriracha quantity or add red pepper flakes to amplify heat levels for those who prefer an extra kick in their bang bang chicken sauce.

FAQs

• What is bang bang sauce made of?

Bang bang sauce combines mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar for a creamy, sweet, and spicy flavor profile that complements the crispy chicken thighs.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but be careful not to overcook them. Chicken thighs are more forgiving and stay juicier due to their higher fat content, which makes them more flavorful.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. This ensures the chicken is safe to eat and prevents undercooking or drying out the meat.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The bang bang sauce has a mild to moderate heat level from Sriracha, but you can adjust the spiciness by increasing or decreasing the amount of Sriracha to suit your taste preferences.

Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs Recipe

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4.9 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy skillet bang bang chicken thighs deliver a flavor explosion that dances across your palate with zesty Asian-inspired charm. Crispy exterior and juicy meat promise a quick weeknight dinner that satisfies serious cravings with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Seasonings:

• 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) onion powder
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Cooking Fat:

• 2 tablespoons (2 tbsp) vegetable oil

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly coat chicken thighs with a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, ensuring complete and even seasoning.
2. Warm oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling surface for optimal browning.
3. Position chicken thighs skin-side down, allowing the skin to crisp and develop a golden-brown exterior, approximately 5-6 minutes.
4. Carefully turn chicken pieces, continuing cooking until the meat reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F, which typically takes an additional 5-6 minutes.
5. Prepare bang bang sauce by combining mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar in a mixing bowl, whisking until smooth and well-integrated.
6. Transfer cooked chicken from skillet to serving plate, generously drizzling or brushing the vibrant bang bang sauce over each piece.
7. Present the chicken immediately while hot, allowing the sauce to glaze and enhance the crispy, flavorful surface.

Notes

• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and crispy texture that locks in juiciness.
• Achieve perfectly crispy skin by patting chicken dry before seasoning and ensuring skillet is hot before adding chicken.
• Adjust bang bang sauce spiciness by increasing or decreasing Sriracha amount to suit personal heat tolerance.
• Transform recipe into gluten-free version by using gluten-free mayonnaise and checking sweet chili sauce ingredients.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg