Bang Bang Chicken with Creamy Sweet Chili Sauce by Cookinwithbabe

Name: Bang Bang Chicken with Creamy Sweet Chili Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 lb chicken tenders; 1 tsp paprika; tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp sea salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1-2 tbsp olive oil; 1 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 2/3 cup sweet chili sauce; 2 tsp Sriracha; 2 tbsp honey

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Cookinwithbabe

I started my food vlogging journey in 2024, when I decided it was time to share my love of cooking with folks near and far. I grew up learning the ins and outs of the kitchen from my grandparents and my mama — they taught me that a good meal can bring people together like nothing else. Now, I’m proud to carry on their passion and share those same comforting flavors with y’all.

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Bang Bang Chicken with Creamy Sweet Chili Sauce Bang Bang Chicken with Creamy Sweet Chili Sauce starts with chicken tenders coated in olive oil and a simple paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper seasoning. The chicken is then covered with a smooth sauce made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey.

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Watch How to Make It

The recipe provides two cooking paths: baking in the oven or cooking on the grill. In either case, part of the sauce is spread over the chicken before cooking, while the remaining sauce is reserved to serve with the finished chicken.

A person sprinkles seasoning onto raw chicken breasts in a metal baking pan.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

The preparation is organized around two separate mixtures: a dry seasoning blend and the Bang Bang sauce. Preparing each one before working with the chicken keeps the steps in order and makes it clear when each component is used.

Chicken tenders are first coated with olive oil, then seasoned on both sides before the sauce is added. This sequence gives the seasoning direct contact with the chicken before the sauce is spread evenly over the tenders.

A person uses a small spoon to add spices from a jar into a clear measuring cup.

The oven option includes a specific temperature, baking range, and internal temperature target. The grill option uses the same 400°F preheat, with attention given to the sauce during cooking so it does not brown excessively.

Ingredients You'll Need

The chicken portion uses 2 pounds of chicken tenders. Olive oil is drizzled over the tenders and tossed with them so they are evenly coated before the seasoning is applied.

The seasoning mixture contains paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. These ingredients are combined in a small bowl first, then sprinkled over the chicken with attention to seasoning both sides.

A person squeezing sriracha into a bowl containing a mixture of sauce and mayonnaise, with a spatula resting inside.

The Bang Bang sauce combines mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. Whisking these ingredients together in a separate bowl creates the smooth, well-combined sauce that is divided between the chicken and the serving portion.

A person uses a spatula to pour a dark liquid from a measuring cup into a bowl containing a white, creamy base.

For preparation, use a small bowl for the seasoning and another bowl for the sauce. A baking dish is used to arrange the chicken tenders before they are coated, seasoned, and covered with sauce.

How To Make It

Begin by choosing whether to use the oven or grill, then preheat the selected cooking method to 400°F. Having the oven or grill ready before coating the chicken keeps the preparation moving directly into cooking once the sauce has been applied.

In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Set this seasoning mixture aside while preparing the chicken tenders.

Arrange the chicken tenders in a baking dish. Drizzle them with 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then toss the tenders so the oil coats them evenly.

Sprinkle the prepared seasoning mixture over the chicken tenders. Make sure to season both sides, turning the chicken as needed so the paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper are distributed across the tenders.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth and well combined, with no separate streaks of the individual sauce ingredients remaining.

Spread the Bang Bang sauce evenly over the seasoned chicken tenders. Reserve some of the sauce before cooking so there is a separate portion available to serve with the warm chicken later.

The order of preparation keeps the dry seasoning and creamy sauce distinct until each is needed. The seasoning is mixed first and set aside, while the sauce is whisked after the chicken has been coated with oil and seasoned.

Once the sauce is ready, it is used in two ways. One portion covers the chicken before it cooks, and the reserved portion is held back specifically for serving.

A person uses a spatula to drizzle sauce from a bowl over seasoned chicken breasts arranged in a baking pan.

Keep the sauce intended for serving separate from the portion spread over the chicken. The reserved sauce is not added back during cooking; it is brought to the table with the finished tenders.

For the oven method, bake the sauced chicken tenders at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes. Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

The stated baking time is a range, so check the chicken during that 15- to 20-minute window and use the internal temperature as the final doneness target. Once the chicken reaches 165°F, it is ready to serve warm.

For the grill method, cook the chicken at the preheated 400°F grill until it is done. Watch the sauce as the chicken cooks to prevent excessive browning.

A person pours Pompeian extra virgin olive oil over raw chicken tenders arranged in a baking pan.

The same sauce is spread over the chicken whether it is baked or grilled. The difference in the instructions is that the baking method gives a 15- to 20-minute range and 165°F internal temperature target, while the grill method specifically calls for monitoring the sauce during cooking.

Serving & Variations

Serve the chicken tenders warm with the Bang Bang sauce that was reserved before cooking. Set out the reserved sauce alongside the chicken so it is available with each serving.

Add your favorite sides with the warm chicken tenders. The recipe does not require a specific side, leaving the serving choice open while keeping the chicken and reserved sauce as the central components of the meal.

A person drizzling honey from a glass jar into a bowl containing a red sauce and a white dollop, with a spatula resting in the mixture.

The provided cooking variation is the choice between baking and grilling. Select the oven method for the stated 400°F, 15- to 20-minute bake with the 165°F internal temperature target, or use the grill method and watch the sauce carefully for excessive browning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake or grill Bang Bang Chicken?

Yes. Preheat the oven or grill to 400F. Bake the chicken for 15-20 minutes, or grill until the chicken is done while watching the sauce to prevent excessive browning.

What is the Bang Bang sauce made with?

The sauce is made with mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey, whisked together until smooth and well combined.

How do I know when the chicken is done?

Bake the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F.

Should I save some sauce for serving?

Yes. Spread the sauce over the chicken tenders while reserving some sauce to serve with the finished chicken.

Wrapping Up

Bang Bang Chicken with Creamy Sweet Chili Sauce brings together seasoned chicken tenders and a mayonnaise-based sweet chili, Sriracha, and honey sauce. After baking or grilling, serve the chicken warm with the reserved Bang Bang sauce and your favorite sides.

Recipe created by Cookinwithbabe for Trust Me Try It.

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