The first time I made Bang Bang Chicken Sliders was for a football night that turned into a kitchen frenzykids grabbing, sauce flying, and not a crumb left on the tray. These babies are trending big on Pinterest and Reddit for good reason. Sweet, spicy, creamy, and fast. Just 25 minutes from fridge to bite. No fancy tools, just cozy flavors and a worthy mess.
This is your favorite takeout-style chickenjuicy with a little crunchpiled onto soft slider buns, drizzled with a creamy chili-lime sauce. Think crispy meets cool, with a zing. Nothing weird or hard to find. We’ve got all the details right here, including our signature homemade Bang Bang Sauce!
We used to roast whole chickens with my grandma every Sundaynow I pull that same comfort into these sliders with an easier twist. I test every step so you don’t have to. There’s one creamy swap in the sauce you’ll love. It’s pantry-friendly and lightened up!
Why You’ll Love These Bang Bang Chicken Sliders
These sliders are pure comfort with a fantastic crispy twist! Here’s why they’ll be a guaranteed hit in your kitchen:
Quick and Easy: Ready in just 25 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
Family-Friendly: The perfect balance of crispy chicken, melty mozzarella, and creamy, tangy Bang Bang Sauce creates a flavor profile everyone will adore.
No Fancy Ingredients: Everything is pantry-friendlyor incredibly easy to grab from your local grocery store.
Customizable: From extra spicy to delightfully mild, you can easily tweak the recipe to suit your family’s unique flavor preferences.
Ingredients Breakdown & What You’ll Need
Before you dive in, gather these everyday essentials from your fridge or pantry to make your Bang Bang Chicken Sliders:
Ingredient
Notes
1 1/2 lbs thin-sliced chicken breasts
If not pre-sliced, pound chicken breasts to about 1/2-inch thickness for quick, even cooking.
Kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder
A simple yet powerful seasoning trio to perfectly flavor the chicken.
1/2 cup flour + 1/4 cup cornstarch
This combination creates an extra light and wonderfully crispy coating.
1 cup buttermilk + 1 tbsp hot sauce + 1 large egg
Forms the crucial wet layer for breading. Adjust hot sauce to your preferred spice level.
2 cups Panko bread crumbs
Significantly lighter and crispier than regular breadcrumbs, essential for that Bang Bang crunch.
Vegetable or canola oil
Enough for a thin, even layer in the skillet for shallow frying.
12 slices mozzarella cheese
Melts beautifully, adding a creamy, savory layer over the warm, crispy chicken.
12 slider rolls
Soft, slightly sweet buns are the ideal foundation for these flavorful sliders.
Bang Bang Sauce
This is where the magic happens! Our homemade sweet, spicy, and creamy sauce recipe is linked here for easy access.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Sliders: Step-by-Step
Prep and Season: Pat your thin-sliced chicken pieces dry with paper towels, then sprinkle both sides generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Breading Station: Set up three shallow bowls: (1) for the flour + cornstarch mixture, (2) for the buttermilk + hot sauce + egg mixture (whisked well), and (3) for the Panko bread crumbs.
Dredging: Dip each seasoned chicken piece first into the flour mixture (shaking off excess), then into the buttermilk mixture, and finally into the Panko. Gently press the breadcrumbs into the chicken to ensure even and full coverage.
Time to Fry: Heat a thin layer of oil (about 1/2 inch) in a large skillet over medium heat (around 350°F / 175°C). Fry chicken in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Rest the Chicken: As each batch finishes, transfer the fried chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Keep the chicken warm in a low oven (325°F) while you finish frying the remaining pieces.
Assemble the Sliders: Once cooled slightly, cut each fried chicken piece into 2-3 slider-sized portions, depending on your bun size. Layer the chicken onto your slider rolls, immediately top with mozzarella slices so they can melt from the residual heat, and finish with a generous drizzle of homemade Bang Bang Sauce. Serve immediately!
Pro Tip: Keep fried chicken warm in a low oven (325°F / 160°C) while you finish assembling the sliders to maintain crispness and melt the cheese perfectly.
Tweaks and Substitutions for Your Perfect Sliders
Everyone loves a recipe they can truly make their own! Here’s how to tweak your Bang Bang Chicken Sliders to fit any craving:
Spice Level: If you’re feeding spice-sensitive eaters, use less hot sauce in the chicken breading and opt for a milder chili sauce for the Bang Bang drizzle. For more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture or a dash more hot sauce.
Cheese Swap: Provolone, Monterey Jack, or even pepper jack cheese work beautifully if you’re out of mozzarella or simply want a different flavor profile.
Bread Options: Don’t have classic slider rolls on hand? Soft dinner rolls, small brioche buns, or even Hawaiian sweet rolls are excellent and delicious substitutes.
Oven-Bake Option: If frying isn’t your preference, you can bake the breaded chicken. Place it on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.
Storing and Reheating Tips for Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers (which is a rare occurrence with these!), follow these simple tips:
Step
Details
Storage
For best results, store the fried chicken and slider rolls separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. This helps maintain the chicken’s crispness.
Reheating
To keep the chicken crispy, warm it in a 325°F (160°C) oven for 10–15 minutes. Reheat rolls separately for a few minutes until soft. Assemble your sliders fresh right before serving.
Freezing
Freeze cooked chicken (without sauce or buns) in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Reheat from frozen in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes until heated through and crispy.
Pro Tip: Keep the homemade Bang Bang Sauce fresh by storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Give it a good stir before drizzling!
Expert Insight: The Irresistible Appeal of Bang Bang Chicken Sliders
Bang Bang Chicken Sliders masterfully combine spicy, creamy, and crunchy elements, creating a satisfying balance of flavors and textures that truly hits the spot. Utilizing tender, perfectly cooked chicken and a well-balanced sauce enhances every bite, making these sliders a versatile and crowd-pleasing option for casual gatherings and family meals alike.
For more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Reddit!
Perfecting My Cozy Bang Bang Chicken Sliders
After several rounds in my kitchensome batches a bit too spicy, others a little soggyI finally landed on this truly perfect Bang Bang Chicken Sliders recipe. It took patience and plenty of tasting to balance the cozy spice and crisp textures just right, but this version is the comforting, healthy slider my family keeps asking for again and again.
FAQs ( Bang Bang Chicken Sliders )
How can I make this recipe spicier?
To add extra heat, increase the amount of chili sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Fresh jalapeños finely chopped also work well. Adjust gradually to keep balance, ensuring the sauce still complements the chicken without overpowering the flavors.
What type of buns work best for the sliders?
Soft brioche or potato buns are ideal for this dish, as they soak up the sauce without falling apart. They add a slight sweetness that pairs well with the spicy chicken, making them perfect for these sliders.
Can I prepare any parts of the recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can cook and shred the chicken a day ahead and store it refrigerated. The sauce can also be made in advance and mixed before serving for convenience. This helps speed up assembly when it’s time to cook.
What sides pair well with this meal?
Crisp coleslaw, sweet potato fries, or a simple green salad complement this meal nicely. They add freshness and crunch that balance the spicy and creamy flavors of the sliders, perfect for a quick family dinner.
Is this recipe suitable for a fast dinner?
Absolutely, this dish is designed as a quick option for busy nights. Most steps take under 30 minutes, making it a great choice among fast dinner recipes without sacrificing flavor or quality.
Conclusion
These Bang Bang Chicken Sliders truly come together in no time, delivering a crispy, creamy, and sweet-spicy bite that feels just like a homemade celebration. You’ll absolutely love how the vibrant sauce dances with tender chicken and soft bunsit’s quick enough for any weeknight, but special enough to savor for gatherings.
Don’t hesitate to personalize them! Try swapping mozzarella for pepper jack to add a gentle kick, or bake the chicken for an easier cleanup. And if you have any leftovers, they reheat beautifully in the ovenjust remember to keep buns separate to maintain their freshness. A little pantry magic and simple steps make this recipe a real keeper, just like the cherished ones shared around my kitchen table.
Give these incredible sliders a whirl, then come back and share your tweaks or your family’s favorite spin on the sauce. Did you grow up enjoying fun, saucy sandwiches like this? Pass the recipe along and make some cozy memoriesyou’ll want to make it again and again.
Yesica Andrews
Bang Bang Chicken Sliders: Irresistible Quick Recipe
These Bang Bang Chicken Sliders are an irresistible quick recipe combining crispy, pan-fried chicken cutlets with melty mozzarella and a spicy bang bang sauce. Perfect for fast dinners or party appetizers, this pollo loco inspired dish fits perfectly into sliders recipes chicken and family dinner ideas.
Kosher salt, Fresh black pepper and garlic powder for seasoning the chicken breasts
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
12 slices mozzarella cheese
12 slider rolls
Bang Bang Sauce
Method
Season the chicken breasts on both sides with kosher salt, black pepper and garlic powder.
Set up a breading station with flour and cornstarch mixed in one bowl, buttermilk, hot sauce and egg mixed in a second bowl, and panko bread crumbs in a third bowl.
Dredge each chicken breast first in the flour mixture, tapping off excess, then dip into the buttermilk mixture letting excess drip off, and finally coat thoroughly with panko bread crumbs.
Heat a thin layer of vegetable or canola oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Fry the breaded chicken cutlets in batches without overcrowding, cooking 2-3 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Place cooked cutlets on a paper towel lined plate to drain while frying the rest.
Whisk together the Bang Bang Sauce in a small bowl and set aside.
Cut each chicken cutlet into smaller pieces, place on slider rolls, top with a slice of mozzarella cheese while warm, drizzle with Bang Bang Sauce, and serve immediately.
Notes
Keep cooked chicken cutlets warm in a 325°F oven for up to an hour if prepping ahead. Bring Bang Bang Sauce to room temperature before serving to avoid cooling the sliders. Use a meat thermometer or slice into a cutlet to ensure chicken is fully cooked with no pink inside.
With a passion for wholesome cooking inspired by family traditions, I create healthy, simple recipes focused on sourdough, shrimp, chicken, and balanced meals for everyday wellness.
Every recipe here is tested in my kitchen using U.S. measurements and easy-to-find ingredients, so you can cook confidently.
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