Keto Bang Bang Chicken

Annie Lampella @ Ketofocus

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published May 6, 2024 • Updated February 1, 2026

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

Crispy, creamy, spicy - make this easy low carb bang bang chicken recipe with just a few ingredients and no added sugar.

Along with fried rice and hunan chicken, Bang Bang Shrimp is one of my favorite appetizers to order at Chinese restaurants. The sauce and breading are loaded with carbs, though. I figured out how to make a keto-friendly version with a few substitutions and just four ingredients in the sauce. Also, I went with chicken instead of shrimp because it’s cheaper and usually family friendly. 

Bang bang chicken bowl on a plate next to sesame seeds and green onions.

How to make sugar-free bang bang sauce?

Bang bang sauce is a creamy, spicy sauce used in Chinese cuisine. It is slightly sweet as well – which means that it’s usually not keto-friendly. 

Typical ingredients found in this sauce are mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha sauce and honey or sugar. To keep it low carb, I make my own sauce with mayonnaise, garlic chili sauce, sriracha and sugar-free sweetener. 

Once the sauce is done, for the crispy fried chicken I use an egg-free breading of pork panko, almond flour and heavy cream. I add a few seasonings for flavor, then fry everything in avocado oil until golden and cooked through.

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Keto Bang Bang Chicken

Prep 10m Cook 10m Total 20m 4 servings

Bang Bang Sauce Ingredients

Crispy Fried Chicken Bites Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs, breast or tenders cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 cup pork panko
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper, divided
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • avocado oil, for frying

Step by Step Instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1
Bang Bang Sauce instructions

In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, chili garlic sauce, and sriracha together, mixing well to combine, and then tasting. If you like it spicier, add 1/2 teaspoon additional sriracha and mix again. Cover and refrigerate for later use.

A small bowl filled with spicy bang bang sauce.
Tip This makes a lot of sauce. You probably won’t use it all. Leftover sauce keeps in the refrigerator for 10-14 days.
Ingredients for this step
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sriracha
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar-free sweetener
2
Breading mixture

In a medium-sized shallow bowl, mix the pork panko, almond flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Set it aside.

A plate with breading.
Tip Make your own pork panko by grinding pork rinds in a blender or food processor until crumbs form.
Ingredients for this step
  • 1 cup pork panko
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
3
Dipping mixture

In a separate shallow dish, mix heavy cream, water, apple cider vinegar, and remaining salt and pepper.

A shallow bowl with cream and seasoning in it.
Tip In place of heavy cream, nut milk works, but combine it with 1/4 cup of yogurt or coconut cream to thicken it up.
Ingredients for this step
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
4
Bread the chicken

In a heavy-bottomed pot or fryer, heat about 1 to 3 inches of oil to 325 to 350 degrees. While the oil is heating, lightly toss the chicken pieces into the cream mixture to coat all sides. Then, move each piece to the flour mixture, gently pressing to coat all sides of each piece. Move the breaded pieces to a small tray.

Breading chicken pieces with pork panko.
5
Fry time

Working in batches, place about 8-10 pieces of chicken in the hot oil for about 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Remove the cooked pieces from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.

A skillet with breaded chicken frying inside.
Tip The oil temperature will drop when you add food. If it gets too hot, the outside will cook faster than the inside and brown, so decrease the burner temperature to medium. If browning is taking a long time, increase the burner temperature to medium-high to get the oil back to 325-350 degrees.
6
The finishing touches

Add all the cooked chicken to a glass bowl and drizzle with the bang bang sauce. Toss the chicken to coat slightly. Serve over cauliflower rice. Top with cucumber, red pepper, green onion, avocado, sesame seeds and cilantro if desired.

A spoon holding fried chicken covered in bang bang sauce.
Nutrition Per Serving
575 Calories
41.8g Fat
40.7g Protein
3.8g Net Carbs
5.7g Total Carbs
4 Servings
Nutrition disclaimer

The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

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Keto Bang Bang Chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bang bang chicken?

Bang Bang Chicken is a popular dish that originated from Chinese cuisine. It typically consists of crispy chicken pieces tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce.

Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Shrimp or tofu both work. You obviously can’t call it chicken anymore, but the sauce is the star anyway. Just adjust the cooking time for whatever protein you pick.

Is Bang Bang Chicken spicy?

It has a kick, but you control the heat. Add more sriracha and chili garlic sauce if you want it spicier, or dial them back for a milder version.

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Crispy pieces of chicken topped with bang bang sauce over cauliflower rice and next to cucumber.

Air fryer instructions

You can cook the chicken pieces in the air fryer, but they won’t get quite as crispy as shallow frying. To make Bang Bang Chicken in the air fryer: Spray the basket of the air fryer with non-stick cooking spray and preheat to 400 degrees. Place about 8-10 pieces in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer. Cook for about 8-10 minutes turning the pieces over ½ way through.
Keto bang bang chicken covered in spicy sauce and topped with black sesame seeds and green onions.

Meal prep instructions

To save time on busy nights, I like to prep up some of these steps ahead of time. The sauce can be made up to 7 days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until needed. The breading for the chicken can be prepared ahead of time. I like to cube the chicken as well to have it ready to go to dip and dredge when I’m ready to fry it. I don’t recommend breading or frying it ahead of time since moisture from the chicken will make the breading soggy over time.

Storage instructions

For the crunchiest texture, eat bang bang chicken right away. The breading loses its crispiness the longer it sits. Cooked bang bang chicken can be kept in an airtight container and refrigerated for 2 days after cooking. I don’t recommend freezing bang bang chicken once it’s coated in the sauce because the texture will change. You can freeze the cooked chicken without the sauce and make the sauce fresh when you’re ready to serve.
About the Author
Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis, she has over 14 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism.

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