Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs Recipe

Introduction

Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs are a quick, flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Tender chicken thighs are seasoned, pan-seared, and coated in a spicy, creamy bang bang sauce. This recipe brings bold flavors with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 recipe bang bang sauce, or 1 cup storebought
• Green onions, chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, black pepper, and paprika.
2. Step 2: Evenly apply the seasoning mixture to all sides of the chicken thighs.
3. Step 3: Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot.
4. Step 4: Add the chicken thighs to the skillet (work in batches if needed). Cook for 5 minutes on one side.
5. Step 5: Flip the chicken, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for another 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
6. Step 6: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place on a plate; tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
7. Step 7: Pour the bang bang sauce into the skillet, stirring and scraping up any browned bits. Let simmer for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
8. Step 8: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet and coat thoroughly with the sauce.
9. Step 9: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, garnish with toasted sesame seeds along with green onions.
• Substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if preferred; adjust cooking time accordingly.
• Make your own bang bang sauce using mayo, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha for a fresher flavor.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to keep the sauce creamy and avoid drying out the chicken.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make bang bang sauce from scratch?

Yes, a simple bang bang sauce can be made by mixing mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha to taste. This homemade version is fresh and allows you to control the spice level.

What if I only have bone-in chicken thighs?

You can use bone-in chicken thighs, but cooking time will be longer. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, and consider covering the skillet to help cook through evenly.

Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 73 reviews

This Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs recipe features juicy, boneless skinless chicken thighs seasoned with a simple blend of spices, cooked to perfection in a hot skillet, then coated in a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce. Garnished with fresh green onions, this dish is quick to prepare and perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner.

• Author: Tim
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Bang Bang Sauce

• 1 recipe bang bang sauce, or 1 cup storebought

Garnish

• Green onions, chopped

Instructions

1. Prepare seasoning mixture: In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon paprika, mixing well to create an even spice blend.
2. Season chicken: Apply the seasoning mixture evenly onto all six boneless skinless chicken thighs to ensure they are well coated with flavor.
3. Heat oil and cook chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, place the chicken thighs into the skillet. Depending on skillet size, you may need to cook the chicken in batches. Cook the chicken for 5 minutes without moving it to get a good sear.
4. Flip and continue cooking: Flip the chicken thighs over, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring fully cooked, juicy chicken. Cooking times may vary depending on thigh size.
5. Remove chicken from skillet: Transfer the cooked chicken thighs to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm while you prepare the sauce.
6. Add bang bang sauce to skillet: Pour 1 cup of bang bang sauce into the same skillet. Stir well, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until heated through and slightly thickened.
7. Coat chicken with sauce: Return the chicken thighs back into the skillet, tossing or spooning the sauce over each piece to coat thoroughly and absorb the flavors.
8. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions over the sauced chicken and serve immediately for a vibrant finishing touch.

Notes

• You can use storebought bang bang sauce or make your own for a more personalized flavor.
• Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of chicken thighs; always check for an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
• Use a nonstick skillet to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
• This dish pairs well with steamed rice or a crisp green salad.

Keywords: bang bang chicken, skillet chicken thighs, spicy chicken, boneless skinless chicken, quick dinner, stovetop chicken, creamy spicy sauce