Spicy & Crispy Bang Bang Air Fryer Chicken (Keto-Friendly Adaptation!)
Get ready for an explosion of flavor with this Bang Bang Air Fryer Chicken! Tender chicken breasts are seasoned, crusted with a savory, spicy, and sweet Bang Bang sauce, and air-fried to crispy perfection. It’s incredibly quick, easy, and tastes amazing served over cauliflower rice or fresh lettuce for a satisfying low-carb meal.
IMPORTANT KETO NOTE: Traditional sweet chili sauce and some sriracha brands contain significant amounts of sugar, making them not low-carb or keto-friendly. For a truly keto version, please see the “Keto-Friendly Bang Bang Sauce Adaptation” in the Tips for Success below.
Yields: 2-3 servings Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10-15 minutes (plus 10 mins rest)
Ingredients:
- 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total), patted dry
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt (check for low-sugar/keto-friendly versions, or use salt and pepper to taste)
- Non-stick cooking spray (optional, for air fryer)
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise (full-fat, check for no added sugar)
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce (***READ KETO NOTE ABOVE & BELOW!***)
- 2 tablespoons sriracha (check for low-sugar brand, or use a smaller amount for just heat)
Equipment:
- Small bowl (for spices)
- Medium bowl (for sauce)
- Whisk
- Air fryer
- Tongs
- Meat thermometer
Instructions:
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. On a cutting board, score each chicken breast in a criss-cross pattern on both sides (about ¼ inch deep). This helps the seasoning and sauce penetrate and cooks the chicken more evenly.
- Season Chicken: In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and seasoned salt. Rub this spice mixture generously over both sides of each chicken breast.
- Make Bang Bang Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and srirachauntil smooth and well combined.
- Sauce Chicken: Spread approximately 2 tablespoons of the prepared Bang Bang sauce evenly over each chicken breast, ensuring good coverage. You will have sauce leftover for serving.
- Air Fry Chicken: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray, if desired.
- Place the sauced chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry at 390°F (199°C) for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) on a meat thermometer. Cooking time may vary depending on chicken thickness and air fryer model.
- Rest & Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken tender.
- Slice the chicken breasts into desired portions. Serve hot over a bed of cauliflower rice, fresh lettuce wraps, or a side salad. Drizzle with additional Bang Bang sauce from the bowl, if desired.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification
This Bang Bang Air Fryer Chicken recipe, as written with traditional sweet chili sauce, is NOT keto or low-carb.However, it can be easily adapted to be so:
- High Protein: Yes, this recipe is very high in protein from the chicken.
- Low-Carb: Potentially, with modifications. The carb count depends entirely on the sweet chili sauce and sriracha used.
- Keto: Potentially, with modifications. See notes below.
- Gluten-Free: Potentially, with modifications. Most ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but check seasoned salt, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha labels.
