Juicy Criss-Cross Bang Bang Chicken Recipe for the Air Fryer by Donna John

The air fryer is an appliance in my kitchen that doesn't get enough love. I'm slowing trying new air fryer recipes and learning how to use this popular cooking vessel. My latest successful discovery was this easy criss-cross bang bang chicken recipe. The boneless chicken breasts are moist, juicy and packed with flavor. Everyone loved them.

This chicken recipe uses an interesting and very smart technique of making deep criss-cross cuts in the chicken before cooking. This allows the seasonings and sauce to go deep inside the chicken, and also helps it cook quicker. It's a cooking technique I will start to use on many of my chicken recipes going forward.

To make this air fryer chicken recipe, you will need just a few simple ingredients from the pantry and fridge. Here is what you need to grab: boneless chicken breasts, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce and sriracha. The gluten-free chicken takes between 15 and 20 minutes to cook up in the air fryer.

The first thing you will notice after cutting into the breast is the juiciness. Next will be the flavors from the bang bang sauce and the seasonings. This is a winner winner chicken dinner! Serve the chicken with your favorite side dishes. I served mine with caramelized onion butter roasted potatoes and buttered lima beans.

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Cuisine: American / Asian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 to 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 to 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• black pepper, to taste

Sauce

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
• sriracha, to taste

Helpful Products

• Air Fryer
• Pepper Grinder
• Cutting Board
• Chef Knife
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Salt and Pepper
• Spatula
• Mixing Bowl
• Aluminum Foil
• Airtight Containers

Recipe Notes

• Because there's just the two of us, I only cooked two chicken breasts but did not cut the sauce ingredients in half.

• I covered my air fryer tray with aluminum foil to help with cleanup.

• Try this recipe with boneless, skinless chicken thighs.

Here's how to make it: 

1. Combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Take out some to serve with the cooked chicken. The rest will be used to baste the chicken.
   
2. Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper, to taste, in a bowl.
   
3. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a criss-cross pattern in the chicken breasts, making sure not to go all the way through.
   
4. Put the chicken breasts onto the air fryer try or in the basket. Season the chicken with the seasoning mix, making sure to get down between the cuts.
   
5. Brush the basting sauce (not what's reserved for serving) over the chicken breasts, coating well.
   
   
   
6. Bake in a preheated 375-degree F air fryer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cooked through (ovens vary).
   
   
7. Serve immediately with desired side dishes and reserved bang bang sauce.
   

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Calories: 249

Total Fat: 10.3g

Saturated Fat: 2.5g

Cholesterol: 91mg

Sodium: 268mg

Total Carbohydrate: 7.5g

Dietary Fiber: 0.3g

Total Sugars: 5.1g

Protein: 29.3g

Vitamin D: 0mcg

Calcium: 20mg

Iron: 1mg

Potassium: 270mg

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by VeryWellFit. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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