Bang Bang Chicken Pasta Recipe

Introduction

Bang Bang Chicken Pasta is a delightful fusion dish that pairs crispy, spicy chicken with creamy, flavorful pasta. This recipe combines crunchy fried chicken bites with a sweet and spicy bang bang sauce, making a satisfying meal perfect for any weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
• 2 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp rice vinegar
• 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set cooked pasta aside.
2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss chicken pieces in the mixture until each piece is thoroughly coated.
3. Step 3: Heat 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F. Test readiness by dropping in a small pinch of coating mixture – it should sizzle immediately.
4. Step 4: Fry chicken in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
5. Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar to create the bang bang sauce.
6. Step 6: Wipe the skillet clean and melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
7. Step 7: Add cooked pasta and bang bang sauce to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until sauce reaches desired consistency.
8. Step 8: Gently fold in crispy chicken pieces. Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately while chicken is still crispy.

Tips & Variations

• Adjust sriracha amount based on your preferred heat level.
• Don’t skip the cornstarch in the coating to achieve extra crispy chicken.
• Reserve pasta water before draining to help the sauce coat the pasta evenly.
• Add the chicken at the end to maintain its crispiness.
• Fry chicken in batches to maintain oil temperature and even cooking.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to retain the chicken’s crispiness, or microwave briefly, though the chicken may soften slightly.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use another type of pasta?

Yes, feel free to use your favorite pasta shape such as spaghetti, fusilli, or farfalle. Just adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a cooking thermometer for the most accurate result, and ensure the coating is golden and crispy.

Bang Bang Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 64 reviews

Bang Bang Chicken Pasta is a delightful fusion dish featuring crispy fried chicken tossed in a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce combined with perfectly cooked pasta. The crispy chicken pieces are coated in a seasoned flour and cornstarch mixture, fried to golden perfection, and then mixed with a flavorful sauce made from mayonnaise, sweet chili, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar. Combined with garlic butter pasta and garnished with green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro, this dish offers a perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and texture.

• Author: liam
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American Fusion

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Coating

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• Vegetable oil for frying (enough to fill 1/2 inch in the skillet)

Bang Bang Sauce

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
• 2 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp rice vinegar

Pasta and Garnish

• 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set cooked pasta aside.
2. Prepare Chicken Coating: In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss the chicken pieces in this mixture thoroughly to coat each piece.
3. Fry Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F. To test readiness, drop a small pinch of the coating mixture in the oil; it should sizzle immediately. Fry chicken in batches for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
4. Make Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until smooth and combined.
5. Sauté Garlic: Wipe the skillet clean. Melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
6. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta and bang bang sauce into the skillet with garlic butter. Toss well, gradually adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches the desired consistency.
7. Combine Chicken and Serve: Gently fold in the crispy fried chicken pieces to maintain their crispiness. Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.

Notes

• Adjust the amount of sriracha to control the heat level to your preference.
• Do not skip the cornstarch in the coating to ensure extra crispy chicken.
• Reserve pasta water before draining to help the sauce adhere better to the pasta.
• Add the chicken at the end to maintain its crispiness and prevent sogginess.
• Fry chicken in batches to keep the oil temperature steady for even cooking.

Keywords: Bang Bang Chicken, Crispy Chicken, Spicy Chicken Pasta, Fried Chicken Pasta, Creamy Chili Sauce, Easy Dinner Recipe