Bang Bang Chicken Minis (Homemade + Freezer Nugget Version!)
User Reviews
5
Bang Bang Chicken Minis (Homemade + Freezer Nugget Version!)
Description
The Bang Bang Chicken Minis recipe combines tender chicken pieces with a seasoned coating made from almond flour, cornstarch, and spices, resulting in a crispy exterior when air fried. The chicken is first brined briefly in dill pickle juice to add moisture and subtle tanginess. After coating, the nuggets cook quickly in the air fryer until golden and fully cooked. Alternatively, frozen breaded chicken nuggets can be used for convenience.
The bang bang sauce is a creamy blend of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey, lemon juice, and sriracha, creating a spicy, sweet, and tangy flavor that complements the crispy chicken. Slathering the sauce on the minis and serving on soft mini yeast rolls makes a handheld snack with a range of textures and flavors. Garnishes like green onions or pickle slices add freshness and crunch.
These minis can be made gluten free by choosing appropriate rolls and flours. Nutritional details vary depending on whether homemade or frozen nuggets are used. The recipe also provides options for controlling sauce spiciness and adapting ingredients.
Ingredients
Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise light, 120g
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce 60g
- 1.5 tsp honey 10g
- 1.5 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp sriracha can 1-2 tsp more more if you want it spicier
Homemade Chicken Nuggets (OPTION 1):
- 1 lb. chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
- 3/4 cup dill pickle juice for the brine, 180g
- 1/2 cup almond milk or milk of choice, plain unsweetened, 120g
- 1 egg large
- 1/2 cup almond flour can sub for all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour, fine, 56g
- 1/2 cup cornstarch 64g
- 1.5 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt to taste
- 1 tsp black pepper to taste
Freezer Chicken Nuggets (OPTION 2):
- 1 lb. chicken nuggets frozen, lightly breaded, brand Just Bare
Chicken Minis
- yeast rolls for serving - I used frozen Sister Schubert's rolls, Parker House style, mini
- 1 Tbsp butter for brushing, melted
- green onion for garnishing, sliced, or sliced pickles
- pickle for garnishing, sliced, or sliced pickles
Instructions
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- Whisk the bang bang sauce ingredients together until combined.
- Then store in the fridge until ready to use.
OPTION 1 - Homemade Chicken Nuggets:
- Cut the chicken into 16 roughly even-size pieces. Add to a mixing bowl and submerge in the pickle juice. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Whisk the egg and milk together in a small bowl. Mix together the dry ingredients (flours and spices) in another shallow large bowl and set aside.
- Drain the pickle juice from the chicken. Add the chicken pieces to the egg mixture then dip into the flour mixture (you can do this individually or all at once if your bowl is large enough). Repeat until all nuggets are coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F and spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, tossing halfway or until the chicken is cooked throughout (I usually cut the largest nugget in half to check for doneness). Transfer to a plate and set aside.
OPTION 2 - Freezer Nuggets:
- Heat the nuggets according to package directions. You can air fry them for 8 minutes at 350 F or bake in the oven for 20-22 minutes at 375F.
Assemble Chicken Minis:
- Cut open each yeast roll, leaving the backside attached (this helps hold the chicken in). Brush the inside of each roll with the melted butter. Add a piece of chicken and drizzle with the bang bang sauce. Serve on a platter and garnish with sliced green onions and more bang bang sauce if desired!
Notes
- To make gluten-free, use gluten-free rolls and substitute flours accordingly.
- For the homemade nuggets, marinate chicken pieces in pickle juice for at least 30 minutes for juiciness and flavor.
- Adjust sriracha amount in the bang bang sauce to control spiciness level.
- Frozen breaded chicken nuggets can be used to simplify preparation without sacrificing taste.
- Serve minis with about 1 tablespoon of bang bang sauce each for balanced flavor and calories.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 16Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 176 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1mini + 1 Tbsp sauce (15g) | |
| Calories | 176kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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