Get ready to meet your new favorite weeknight dinner. This Bang Bang Chicken Bake is the perfect fusion of creamy, spicy, and savory flavors, all baked into one irresistible casserole. If you love the famous sweet and spicy sauce, you’ll be amazed at how it transforms simple chicken into a show-stopping meal. We’ve cracked the code on creating a dish that’s incredibly easy to make but tastes like it came from a restaurant. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings a little bit of excitement to the dinner table without any of the fuss.
This recipe is designed for busy home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal effort. In just a few simple steps, you’ll have a bubbling, golden-brown bake ready to be devoured. Let’s get cooking!
Why This Bang Bang Chicken Bake is a Weeknight Winner
There are so many reasons to love this dish. First and foremost, the flavor is simply out of this world. The iconic bang bang sauce, with its creamy mayonnaise base, sweet chili kick, and hint of sriracha spice, creates a perfectly balanced coating for the tender chicken.
Beyond the taste, this recipe is incredibly simple to prepare. It uses common ingredients and straightforward steps, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels. It’s a true one-pan wonder that saves you time on cleanup, which is always a bonus on a busy evening. This dish is also incredibly versatile, perfect for serving over rice, pasta, or even with a side of roasted vegetables.
What is Bang Bang Sauce?
Bang Bang sauce is a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce that gained massive popularity at the Bonefish Grill restaurant. Its signature flavor comes from a simple but brilliant combination of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and a touch of sriracha or another hot sauce for heat. The result is a uniquely addictive sauce that’s perfect for everything from shrimp and chicken to vegetables. Our recipe uses this flavor profile as the star of a comforting, hearty bake.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces for quick and even cooking.
- Mayonnaise: This forms the creamy base of the sauce. Use a good quality, full-fat mayonnaise for the best flavor and texture.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: This adds the signature sweet and slightly tangy flavor. Thai-style sweet chili sauce is preferred.
- Sriracha: For that perfect kick of heat. You can adjust the amount to suit your spice preference.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These aromatics add depth and savory notes to the sauce.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: For a light, airy, and super crispy topping that provides a wonderful texture contrast.
- Melted Butter: Tossing the panko in melted butter helps it get golden brown and extra crunchy in the oven.
- Green Onions: For a fresh, mild oniony bite and a pop of color for garnish.
- Salt and Pepper: To season the chicken and enhance all the flavors.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this creamy Bang Bang Chicken Bake is incredibly easy. Just follow these simple steps!
- Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and set it aside.
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breast pieces dry with a paper towel and season them generously with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth and well combined.
- Coat the Chicken: Pour the bang bang sauce evenly over the chicken in the baking dish. Use a spatula to toss and coat each piece of chicken thoroughly.
- Prepare the Topping: In a separate small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter. Stir until the breadcrumbs are evenly moistened.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the buttered panko breadcrumbs evenly over the saucy chicken. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Let the bake cool for a few minutes before garnishing with freshly sliced green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips for the Perfect Chicken Bake
Want to ensure your bake comes out perfectly every time? Here are a few expert tips:
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Make sure the chicken pieces are in a single layer in the baking dish. This ensures they cook evenly instead of steaming.
- Adjust the Spice: The heat in this dish comes from the sriracha. If you prefer it milder, start with half the amount. For a spicier kick, feel free to add a little extra.
- Get the Topping Crispy: For an extra-crispy topping, you can switch the oven to the broil setting for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Watch it carefully to prevent burning!
- Use Fresh Ingredients: While pantry staples work great, using fresh garlic or onion could add an extra layer of flavor. Just be sure to mince them finely.
Customizations & Variations
This recipe is a fantastic starting point, but you can easily customize it to your liking. Try adding a cup of steamed broccoli florets or chopped bell peppers to the dish for a boost of veggies. For a different base, consider serving it over noodles for a delicious pasta bake; our Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Tortellini recipe offers great inspiration for pasta combinations. You can also stir in cooked rice or quinoa before baking to make it an all-in-one meal. For a low-carb version, simply omit the panko topping.
What to Serve with Bang Bang Chicken
This Bang Bang Chicken Bake is fantastic on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Serve it over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice to soak up all the delicious sauce. A side of steamed vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus adds a fresh, healthy component. For a lighter meal, a simple green salad or this refreshing Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad would be a perfect match. If you’re feeding a crowd, consider serving it alongside some Homemade Garlic Knots to sop up every last drop of sauce.
Storing & Reheating Leftovers
Leftovers are just as delicious the next day! Store any remaining Bang Bang Chicken Bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can microwave it for a minute or two, but for the best results and to re-crisp the topping, we recommend heating it in an oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can assemble the casserole without the panko topping up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, add the buttered panko on top and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.
To reduce the spice level, simply decrease the amount of sriracha in the sauce. You can start with just one tablespoon and add more to taste. The sweet chili sauce also has a mild heat, so using a brand you know isn’t overly spicy is helpful.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best texture, reheat the bake in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, which will help re-crisp the panko topping. You can also use a microwave if you’re short on time.
Bang bang sauce is a simple, creamy sauce typically made from a combination of mayonnaise for the base, sweet chili sauce for sweetness and tang, and sriracha or another chili sauce for a spicy kick.
This dish is very versatile. It pairs perfectly with fluffy white rice, quinoa, or even low-carb options like cauliflower rice. A side of steamed green beans, broccoli, or a fresh green salad also complements the rich flavors of the bake.
More Delicious Recipes to Try
We hope you love this easy Bang Bang Chicken Bake recipe! It’s a true testament to how simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavor. If you tried it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. We love hearing from you! For more recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest.
Bang Bang Chicken Bake Recipe
Bang Bang Chicken Bake: A Creamy, Spicy & Easy Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Pat the cubed chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
- In a separate small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter until combined.
- Sprinkle the buttered panko mixture evenly over the chicken.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (reaches an internal temperature of 165°F) and the topping is golden and crispy.
- Remove from the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to keep the topping crispy.
