When the week gets busy, there’s nothing better than an easy dinner that feels both fun and satisfying. That’s exactly where Bang Bang Chicken Sliders shine. Perfect for easy weeknight meals, these bite-sized sandwiches bring together crispy chicken, a creamy spicy bang bang sauce, and soft pillowy buns. It’s that irresistible combination of crunch, heat, and comfort that makes dinner with buns exciting again.
Families love recipes that are fast but don’t skimp on flavor, and this one checks all the boxes. In the sections ahead, explore the story, ingredients, cooking steps, and FAQs for this tasty addition to food recipes sliders collections.
A Family Memory with Sliders
Growing up, weeknights were always a blur of homework, activities, and family rushing from one thing to the next. On those evenings, sliders often came to the rescue. They were quick to assemble, fun to eat, and felt just a little more exciting than a standard sandwich. I remember walking in from school, smelling something sizzling in the kitchen, and hoping it meant miniature sandwiches were on the menu.
Over time, sliders became a family tradition—especially for busy weeknight meals when nobody wanted to wait long for dinner. Now, with recipes like the Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe, that old comfort has a new twist. The classic softness of a freshly toasted bun meets crispy golden chicken cutlets, but the star is the creamy, tangy, spicy bang bang sauce that gives the meal its kick. It’s a wonderful mix of nostalgia and new flavor that brings everyone to the table with a smile.
That’s the beauty of these sliders: they balance familiarity with a little excitement. They carry all the comfort of childhood dinners but elevate the experience with a sauce that feels both modern and irresistible. For anyone searching through food recipes sliders collections, this dish stands out because it’s easy, family-friendly, and still flavorful enough to feel unique.
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Bang Bang Chicken Sliders
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 sliders (serves 4–6) 1x
Description
Crispy chicken, creamy-spicy bang bang sauce, and soft slider buns make these Bang Bang Chicken Sliders perfect for easy weeknight meals or game day snacking.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breasts or tenders, cut into slider-size pieces
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Oil spray or neutral oil for frying
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2–3 tbsp sweet chili sauce
1–2 tsp sriracha (to taste)
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp lime juice
10–12 soft slider buns, split and lightly toasted
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 small cucumber, thinly sliced, or 1/2 cup pickle slices
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat: Air fryer to 375°F or oven to 400°F (place a wire rack on a baking sheet). For stovetop, heat 1/2 inch oil in a skillet to ~350°F.
2. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
3. Set up dredging: bowl 1 flour, bowl 2 beaten eggs, bowl 3 panko.
4. Dredge chicken: coat in flour (shake off excess), dip in egg, then press into panko; set on rack.
5. Cook chicken: Air fry 12–15 min, flipping at 8 min; or bake 15–18 min, flipping once; or shallow-fry 4–5 min per side. Cook to 165°F and rest on a rack 5 min.
6. Make bang bang sauce: whisk mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime; adjust heat and tang to taste.
7. Toast buns if desired; add a layer of lettuce or cucumber/pickles to the bottom halves.
8. Assemble: place a hot chicken piece on each bun, spoon over sauce, sprinkle green onions and sesame, cap with tops, and serve.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
Why These Sliders Work for Dinner with Buns
Sliders work beautifully for families because they’re small, approachable, and customizable. Kids can pile on their favorite toppings (or skip them), while adults can enjoy the zesty flavor of the homemade bang bang sauce. This mix makes them incredible for dinner with buns when you need to please everyone without cooking multiple meals.
The bang bang sauce truly is the game-changer—its creamy, slightly tangy, and spicy profile makes the chicken pop while keeping each bite balanced. Pair that with the soft slider buns, and you’ve got a recipe that bridges generations and tastes. Add to that the ease of preparation, and it’s clear why these sliders are destined to become a staple for quick weeknight meals.
Ingredients and Tools for the Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe
Ingredient Breakdown
When making Bang Bang Chicken Sliders, it helps to break the recipe into a few simple categories: the juicy chicken, the crispy coating, the famous bang bang sauce, and the buns with fresh garnishes. Keeping things organized makes weekday cooking smoother and ensures you’ll have everything ready before starting. Below is a clear table outlining the ingredients you’ll need.
| Ingredient Category | Ingredients & Measurements |
|---|---|
| Chicken | 1 pound chicken breasts or tenders, cut into slider-sized pieces |
| Breading/Seasoning | 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, salt & black pepper to taste, 2 eggs (beaten) |
| Bang Bang Sauce | ½ cup mayonnaise, 2–3 tbsp sweet chili sauce, 1–2 tsp sriracha (adjust to spice preference), 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp lime juice |
| Buns & Garnishes | 10–12 soft slider buns (toasted if desired), shredded lettuce, sliced cucumbers or pickles, green onions, sesame seeds (optional) |
This combination of crispy chicken and creamy-spicy bang bang sauce is what sets this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe apart in the world of food recipes sliders. The sauce is quick to whisk up, the breading simple, and the garnishes flexible depending on what your family enjoys most.
Tip: If you want to lighten things up, swap mayonnaise in the sauce with Greek yogurt or try baking/air frying the chicken instead of deep-frying.
Tools You’ll Need in the Kitchen
The beauty of this recipe is that you don’t need fancy gadgets—just some practical kitchen tools that make prep and cooking quicker on weeknights. Here’s what will help:
- Mixing bowls – one for the breading, another for whisking the bang bang sauce.
- Baking sheet or Air Fryer basket – great for cooking multiple chicken pieces at once.
- Skillet or Dutch oven – needed if you’re frying the chicken on the stovetop.
- Whisk – makes mixing sauces and coatings effortless.
- Tongs – for safely handling chicken during frying or baking.
- Measuring cups/spoons – to keep the sauce flavor balanced every time.
For those who want maximum convenience during easy weeknight meals, an air fryer can be a game-changer. It keeps the chicken crisp without much oil, cuts down on cleanup, and saves precious weeknight cooking time.
Step-by-Step Cooking and Perfect Serving Ideas
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Step by Step
The great thing about this Bang Bang Chicken Sliders Recipe is that it breaks down into three simple steps you can pull off any night of the week. No matter if you’re frying, baking, or using the air fryer, the process is straightforward and delivers crispy, saucy goodness every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start with slider-sized pieces of chicken breast or tenders. Lightly season them with salt, pepper, and a touch of smoked paprika for flavor. Coat them in flour, dip into beaten eggs, and finish with panko breadcrumbs for maximum crunch. From here, you can either:
- Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F, spray chicken lightly with oil, and cook for 12–15 minutes until golden.
- Fry: Heat oil in a skillet or Dutch oven and fry chicken pieces until cooked through and crispy, about 4–5 minutes per side.
- Bake: For a lighter version, bake on a wire rack over a baking sheet at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, flipping once.
Step 2: Mix the Bang Bang Sauce
While the chicken cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha (or more if you like extra kick), a drizzle of honey, and lime juice. The sauce should be creamy, tangy, and just spicy enough to balance the crispy chicken.
Step 3: Assemble the Sliders
Take lightly toasted slider buns and start with a bed of shredded lettuce or cucumber slices for freshness. Add one hot, crispy chicken piece to each bun, drizzle generously with bang bang sauce, and sprinkle sliced green onions or sesame seeds on top. Finish with the top bun and press lightly so the flavors meld together.
Cooking Tip: For ultimate crispiness, let the chicken rest on a cooling rack instead of paper towels after cooking; this prevents sogginess. If you’re feeding a crowd, keep cooked chicken warm in the oven at a low temperature until ready to assemble.
Serving Sliders for Easy Weeknight Meals
What makes sliders such winners for easy weeknight meals is how flexible they are. Here are a few serving ideas to make dinner complete:
- Classic Pairings: Serve alongside coleslaw, baked sweet potato fries, or roasted vegetables for a balanced plate.
- Family-Friendly Touch: For kids, tone down the sriracha in the sauce and let them add ketchup or ranch as toppings.
- For Spice Lovers: Add sliced jalapeños or an extra sriracha drizzle for a bold version.
- Low-Carb Idea: Swap buns for lettuce wraps if someone in the family prefers a lighter dinner without bread.
- Meal Prep Hack: Bread and cook the chicken in advance, then refrigerate or freeze. On busy nights, reheat in the oven or air fryer, make the sauce fresh, and assemble sliders in minutes.
These small but mighty sliders transform a simple dinner with buns into something the whole table looks forward to. Whether you’re trying to spice up weeknight cooking, build a game-day appetizer platter, or expand your food recipes sliders collection, this dish delivers on flavor, fun, and convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Bang Bang Chicken Sliders ahead of time?
Yes! You can cook and bread the chicken in advance, then refrigerate or freeze it. Reheat in the oven or air fryer before assembling. The bang bang sauce can also be refrigerated for up to 3 days. For the best results, assemble just before serving so the buns don’t get soggy.
What’s the best substitute for chicken in this recipe?
If you’d like to switch things up, shrimp is a popular bang bang alternative. Crispy cauliflower bites or tofu also work beautifully for a vegetarian option, making this recipe versatile for every household.
Can I bake instead of frying the chicken?
Definitely. Baking at 400°F on a wire rack keeps the chicken crisp without the extra oil. The air fryer is another excellent choice for those wanting a lighter version while still enjoying crunch.
How do I adjust the spice level in bang bang sauce?
The spice is entirely customizable. Reduce or skip the sriracha for a milder, kid-friendly sauce, or add extra chili garlic sauce for those who love heat. The honey and lime provide balance regardless of the spice level.
What sides pair well with these sliders for a full dinner?
Good sidekicks include coleslaw, oven fries, sweet potato wedges, roasted vegetables, or even a fresh green salad. They round out the meal while keeping it easy for weeknights.
Conclusion
In the end, Bang Bang Chicken Sliders prove why they’re one of the ultimate easy weeknight meal ideas. They bring together crispy chicken, creamy and spicy bang bang sauce, and fluffy buns for a meal that’s as fun as it is flavorful. Kids and adults both love them, and they fit perfectly into any food recipes sliders collection.
Whether you’re craving something nostalgic with a twist, need a quick dinner with buns, or just want a versatile dish for busy evenings, these sliders hit every mark. Try them this week and see how easily they turn an ordinary night into a memorable one—quick, satisfying, and delicious.
