Light Bang Bang Chicken Bites
Crispy, flavor-packed chicken bites made lighter with air-frying or baking, and tossed in a creamy, sweet, and spicy light Bang Bang sauce. Perfect for meal prep, parties, or healthy comfort food nights.
Equipment
- Air fryer or oven
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs or spatula
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk or fork
Ingredients
Chicken Bites
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp olive oil optional for marinade
- 1 tbsp lemon juice or low-sodium soy sauce, optional for marinade
Optional Coating
- 1 egg for dipping
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes or almond flour
Light Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/4 cup light mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp honey or monk fruit syrup
- 1 tsp Sriracha adjust to taste
- 1 tsp rice vinegar or lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder optional
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F or oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper if using oven.
- Trim and cut chicken into uniform 1-inch cubes. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Season chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Add olive oil and lemon juice if marinating. Let sit for 10–30 minutes.
- Optional: Dip chicken in beaten egg and lightly coat in panko, crushed cornflakes, or almond flour for extra crunch.
- Air fry chicken for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, or bake for 18–20 minutes, flipping once. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Meanwhile, whisk together light mayo or yogurt, sweet chili sauce, honey, Sriracha, rice vinegar, and garlic powder to make the sauce.
- Once chicken is cooked, toss immediately in the sauce or serve sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
Skip the breading for low-carb or keto diets. Greek yogurt adds protein and creaminess to the sauce. Adjust Sriracha for more or less heat. Great for meal prep or party platters.