Get ready to fall head over heels for Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs—a game-changing recipe that combines juicy, seasoned chicken thighs with a velvety, spicy-sweet bang bang sauce. This dish lights up your taste buds with every bite, and it’s all made right in one skillet, making busy weeknights or relaxed weekends an absolute breeze. If you’re craving bold flavors and minimal fuss, this is the meal to serve up excitement in the simplest way.

Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs are all about simple ingredients coming together to create a symphony of taste. Each item plays a crucial part, whether it’s bringing savory depth, a pop of color, or that all-important kick of heat. Don’t skip a single component—each one has a special job in making this dish shine.

Chicken Thighs: These are tender, juicy, and hold up beautifully to skillet cooking, giving you maximum flavor with each bite.
Kosher Salt: Seasons the chicken perfectly and helps bring out all the subtle flavors in the meat.
Black Pepper: Adds a gentle heat and rounds out the seasoning mix for a well-balanced finish.
Paprika: Lends warmth and a hint of smokiness, while giving the chicken a gorgeous color.
Vegetable Oil: Ensures even browning and a golden crust, keeping the chicken succulent inside and out.
Bang Bang Sauce: The star of the show! Whether homemade or store-bought, this creamy sauce brings tang and a signature sweet heat.
Green Onions: Sprinkle these on top for a fresh, zesty finish and vibrant presentation.

How to Make Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs

Step 1: Prepare the Seasoning

Start by creating a simple but impactful blend in a small bowl: mix kosher salt, black pepper, and paprika together. Think of this as the foundation for all the flavor to come—it infuses the chicken thighs with a perfect seasoning base that highlights their natural goodness without overpowering them.

Step 2: Season the Chicken Thighs

Lay out your boneless, skinless chicken thighs and generously sprinkle the seasoning mix over both sides. Give each piece a little love and attention—this is what turns ordinary chicken into something truly special for your Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Heat up the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, lay the seasoned chicken thighs in the pan (you might need to do this in batches so nothing gets crowded). Let them cook undisturbed for 5 minutes, allowing them to develop a beautiful, golden crust.

Step 4: Finish Cooking the Chicken

Flip the chicken thighs, turn the heat down to medium-low, and cook for another 5 minutes. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and every inch is juicy and thoroughly cooked through. Adjust the cooking times slightly if your pieces are extra large or small—the most important thing is nailing that perfectly cooked chicken for your Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs.

Step 5: Rest the Chicken

Transfer the chicken thighs to a plate and loosely tent with foil to keep them warm and juicy while you prepare the sauce. This short resting time allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite stays tender.

Step 6: Simmer the Bang Bang Sauce

Pour your delicious bang bang sauce into the hot skillet. As it simmers for a minute or two, use a spoon or spatula to scrape up all the flavor-packed brown bits stuck to the pan. This step is where the magic happens—the sauce soaks up all that savory depth, making every drop taste incredible.

Step 7: Coat the Chicken in the Sauce

Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them right into the bubbling sauce. Spoon sauce generously over each thigh, making sure every piece gets coated in that luscious, spicy-sweet glaze that makes Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs so legendary.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle chopped green onions across the chicken just before serving. Not only do they add a pop of brightness, but their mild onion kick ties the whole dish together beautifully.

How to Serve Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs

Garnishes

Give your dish a chef’s touch by piling on the fresh, crisp green onions right as you serve. Feel free to add toasted sesame seeds for nutty crunch, or even a scattering of freshly chopped cilantro for an extra burst of color and freshness.

Side Dishes

Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs are wildly versatile and pair beautifully with fluffy white rice, jasmine rice, or even coconut rice to soak up that irresistible sauce. If you crave more crunch, serve with roasted broccoli or a vibrant cucumber salad. Don’t be afraid to swap in noodles or quinoa for a change of pace.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, slice the chicken and tuck it into steamed bao buns or wraps with shredded veggies and extra sauce. Or, turn this into a stunning main-course salad by tossing the saucy chicken thighs over mixed greens and drizzling sauce as a bold, spicy dressing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Pop any leftover Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen over time, making tomorrow’s lunch something to look forward to!

Freezing

To make this meal even more convenient, freeze the cooked thighs and sauce in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for a crazy-easy meal prep solution.

Reheating

Gently reheat the chicken and sauce together in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen up the sauce. You can also microwave single portions, but cover loosely to keep the chicken moist.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! While thighs are especially juicy and forgiving in a skillet, chicken breasts work well too. Just keep in mind they may cook a little faster, so check for doneness around the 8-minute mark.

What is bang bang sauce, and can I make it at home?

Bang bang sauce is typically a creamy, slightly spicy blend of mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and a splash of honey or sugar. You can whip it up in minutes, or use a good-quality store-bought version—either way, it’s the secret to Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs’ signature flavor.

Is this dish very spicy?

Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs have a gentle heat with a subtle kick, thanks to the sauce. Adjust the spice level up or down by controlling the amount of sriracha or hot sauce in the bang bang sauce.

What skillet is best for this recipe?

A large, nonstick skillet is perfect for evenly browning the chicken and simmering the sauce. Cast-iron also works beautifully if you want extra crispy edges.

Can I prep anything in advance?

Definitely! You can mix the spice blend and even marinate the chicken ahead of time. The bang bang sauce can also be made days in advance, so you’re all set for a weeknight dinner that comes together even faster.

Final Thoughts

If you haven’t tried Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs yet, the time is now! With their unbeatable combo of juicy chicken and bold, creamy sauce, they’ll be the star of your table. Give this recipe a go and watch it become a regular request from everyone lucky enough to take a bite!

Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 23 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

These Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner. Juicy chicken thighs are seasoned with a simple blend of spices, cooked in a skillet, then coated in a creamy and spicy bang bang sauce. Garnished with fresh green onions, this dish is sure to become a family favorite!

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika

Other:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 recipe bang bang sauce (or 1 cup storebought)
Green onions, chopped for garnish

Instructions

Combine salt, pepper, and paprika. In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Apply seasoning to chicken. Apply the seasoning mixture evenly to the chicken.
Heat oil. Cook chicken. To a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, add oil. Once hot, add chicken thighs. Cook chicken for 5 minutes. Then, flip over the chicken, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Cooking times may vary, depending on the size of the chicken.
Remove chicken from skillet. Remove cooked chicken from the skillet. Place onto a plate and tent to keep warm.
Pour in bang bang sauce. Pour the bang bang sauce into the skillet. Stir, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let simmer for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
Put chicken back into skillet. Place the chicken thighs back into the skillet, coating each with the sauce.
Garnish with green onions. Serve.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: American