This Heart Healthy Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken has all the flavor of your favorite restaurant dish with a healthier twist. Tender pieces of chicken are lightly breaded with seasoned panko breadcrumbs and air-fried to crispy perfection, then drizzled with a homemade sweet and spicy Bang Bang sauce. This recipe is ready in about 30 minutes, but cooking time can vary based on your air fryer model.
Don't have an air fryer? You can easily make this Bang Bang Chicken in your oven!
Low in fat and calories, this delicious dish is a perfect addition to your collection of heart healthy air fryer recipes, and it's great for family meals, meal prep, or a quick, satisfying snack.
Yes, this version is. Traditional restaurant versions are often high in fat, sodium, and calories from deep-frying and mayonnaise-based sauces. This recipe is a healthy alternative, using an air fryer for a crispy finish with minimal oil and a light, Greek yogurt-based sauce.
This dish consists of bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a seasoned gluten-free breading and air-fried until golden. It's then drizzled with a signature sauce made from Greek yogurt, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and a touch of honey.
It has a satisfying crispy texture on the outside with tender, juicy chicken on the inside. The flavor profile is a delicious balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy from the sauce, with savory notes from the seasoned breading.
A healthy version is easy to make. Simply whisk together nonfat plain Greek yogurt, Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey. This swap replaces traditional mayonnaise, significantly lowering the fat and calorie content.
Recipe yields 6 servings
In a small bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve with the chicken.
Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Place three medium mixing bowls in a line. In the first bowl, add the flour. In the second, whisk together the eggs, water, black pepper and salt. In the third, mix together the bread crumbs, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika.
In small batches, coat the chicken in the flour, then dredge in the egg mixture and then coat with the panko mixture. Place on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining chicken.
Lightly spray the chicken with nonstick cooking spray. In 2 or 3 batches, bake for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the air fryer and transfer to a serving bowl.
Drizzle the Bang Bang sauce lightly over the top of the chicken and garnish with sliced green onion. Serve the remaining sauce in a small dipping bowl.
If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the chicken in a preheated 425°F oven. Place the breaded chicken on a wire rack set on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, flip the pieces, and bake for another 12-15 minutes until golden and cooked through.
