Description
This Best Dairy Free Bang Bang Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken thigh chunks marinated in a flavorful blend of spices and air fried to a perfect crispness. Tossed in a creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy vegan bang bang sauce, this dish offers all the rich taste and satisfying crunch of traditional bang bang chicken, but completely dairy-free and lighter, making it perfect for a quick dinner or entertaining without deep frying.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Marinade
- 4 chicken thighs (boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch chunks)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1.5 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp avocado oil
- 1.5 tbsp corn starch
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp sriracha
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, lemon juice, and avocado oil. Add the chicken thigh chunks and toss until evenly coated. Let the chicken sit in the marinade for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: While the chicken marinates, whisk together vegan mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and toasted sesame oil in a separate bowl. Taste and adjust sriracha to your preferred heat level. Set aside two-thirds of the sauce for tossing the chicken later, reserving one-third for drizzling on top when serving.
- Coat Chicken with Corn Starch: Dust the marinated chicken chunks with corn starch, tossing gently to coat evenly. This step is crucial to achieving a light and crispy exterior when air frying.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 4 minutes. Preheating ensures the chicken begins crisping immediately and cooks evenly.
- Air Fry the Chicken – First Stage: Place the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 375°F for 10 minutes. This initial phase renders fat and develops a crispy surface. The chicken will be partially cooked at this stage.
- Toss with Sauce and Finish Cooking: Remove the chicken and toss it thoroughly with the two-thirds portion of the bang bang sauce. Return the sauced chicken to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2–4 minutes at 375°F, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Three minutes is usually sufficient but adjust based on your air fryer.
- Serve: Transfer the hot, crispy bang bang chicken to a serving plate, drizzle with the reserved sauce, and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken even for 10 minutes boosts flavor but you can marinate longer for deeper taste.
- Adjust sriracha in the sauce to control the spice level depending on your preference.
- Ensure the chicken pieces are in a single layer in the air fryer for even cooking and crispiness.
- Using corn starch instead of flour keeps the coating light and crispy without gluten and dairy.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked to 165°F.
- Serve immediately for the best crispy texture as the coating may soften over time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Keywords: dairy free bang bang chicken, vegan bang bang sauce, air fryer chicken, crispy chicken recipe, easy dinner, gluten free bang bang chicken, spicy chicken