Description

A flavorful and spicy skillet-cooked dish featuring tender boneless skinless chicken thighs coated in a savory bang bang sauce, garnished with fresh green onions. This easy stovetop recipe delivers a perfect balance of crispy edges and saucy richness, ideal for a quick and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

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

Sauce and Garnish

1 recipe bang bang sauce (or 1 cup store-bought bang bang sauce)
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare seasoning mix: In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon paprika thoroughly to create the seasoning blend.
Season chicken: Evenly apply the seasoning mixture onto all sides of the 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
Heat the skillet and oil: Place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Allow the oil to heat until shimmering but not smoking.
Cook chicken thighs: Add the seasoned chicken thighs to the hot skillet. Depending on skillet size, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for about 5 minutes on one side until golden brown.
Flip and finish cooking: Turn the chicken thighs over, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for another 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cooking time may vary depending on chicken size.
Remove chicken: Transfer the cooked chicken thighs to a plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm while you prepare the sauce.
Sauté the sauce: Pour 1 cup of bang bang sauce into the skillet with remaining oil and browned bits. Stir and scrape the bottom of the pan to mix the flavorful bits into the sauce. Let the sauce simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until heated through.
Coat chicken with sauce: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet and gently coat each piece with the simmered bang bang sauce, allowing them to absorb the flavors.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions over the chicken for a fresh, bright finish. Serve immediately while hot and saucy.

Notes

Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
If you don’t have homemade bang bang sauce, store-bought versions work well—just check for your preferred level of spice and sweetness.
Work in batches if your skillet is small to avoid steaming the chicken instead of searing it.
You can add a squeeze of lime or a dash of crushed red pepper to the sauce for extra tang or heat.
Serve with steamed rice or a crisp salad to balance the richness of the dish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: bang bang chicken, skillet chicken thighs, spicy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, stovetop chicken, Asian-inspired chicken, quick chicken meal