Bang Bang Chicken Sliders

Bang Bang Chicken Sliders
Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk if you don’t have buttermilk)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Bang Bang Sauce:

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
1-2 tbsp sriracha (depending on how spicy you like it)
1 tbsp honey (for a touch of sweetness)
1 tsp rice vinegar (optional, for tanginess)
For the Sliders:

12 slider buns (mini brioche or soft rolls)
1 cup shredded lettuce (optional)
Sliced pickles (optional)
Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
Prep the Chicken:

Slice the chicken breasts into smaller pieces, about 1.5-inch thick slices, to fit the slider buns. Alternatively, you can use chicken thighs for a juicier bite.
Place the chicken in a shallow bowl and cover with buttermilk. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to an hour in the fridge (this helps tenderize the chicken).
Make the Bang Bang Sauce:

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar (if using) until smooth. Adjust the level of heat by adding more sriracha if you like it spicier.
Coat the Chicken:

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk and dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to coat it well.
Fry the Chicken:

Heat a large skillet or deep fryer with vegetable oil over medium-high heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
Fry the chicken in batches, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Assemble the Sliders:

Toast the slider buns lightly in a skillet or oven, if desired.
Spread a generous amount of Bang Bang sauce on the bottom half of each slider bun.
Place a piece of crispy chicken on top, followed by a spoonful of shredded lettuce, a few pickle slices, and a drizzle of more Bang Bang sauce.
Top with fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness (optional).
Serve & Enjoy:

Serve the sliders immediately while they’re crispy and hot! These are perfect for a party, game day, or a fun weeknight dinner.