Crispy Spicy Chicken Strips (Printable Version)

Crispy panko-coated chicken tenderloins with homemade sweet-spicy bang bang sauce that's perfect for any mealtime.

# Ingredients:

01 - 1 cup (232g) mayonnaise
02 - ½ cup (132g) Thai sweet chili sauce
03 - 1 teaspoon Sriracha, plus more to taste
04 - 2 tablespoons honey
05 - 1½ pounds chicken tenderloins
06 - 1 cup (245g) buttermilk
07 - ¾ cup (94g) all-purpose flour
08 - ½ cup (64g) cornstarch
09 - 1 large egg, room temperature
10 - 1 tablespoon Sriracha for batter
11 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
12 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
14 - ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
15 - 2 cups (216g) plain panko breadcrumbs
16 - Canola oil for frying

# Steps:

01 - Mix mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey in a bowl until well combined.
02 - Whisk buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, egg, Sriracha, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl until smooth. Add chicken tenderloins to coat completely.
03 - Remove chicken pieces from batter one at a time, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge in panko breadcrumbs, pressing firmly to ensure coating adheres to all surfaces.
04 - Pour canola oil to a depth of 1 inch in a large skillet and heat to 365°F (185°C).
05 - Cook chicken in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Avoid overcrowding the pan.
06 - Transfer fried chicken to paper towels to drain excess oil. Toss with prepared bang bang sauce and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd pan when frying to maintain oil temperature and ensure even cooking
02 - Maintain oil temperature between batches for consistent results
03 - Bang bang sauce can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated