Instant Pot Bang Bang Chicken–a low carb Instant Pot version of bang bang chicken. It’s got all that delicious flavor that you love from bang bang sauce but it’s not breaded and fried. It tastes great served over cauliflower rice.

Instant Pot Bang Bang Chicken
This easy chicken Instant Pot recipe is addicting because of the amazing bang bang sauce. You’re going to love this creamy, sweet and spicy chicken!
What is bang bang sauce? Bang bang sauce is sweet, spicy and creamy sauce that’s made with mayonnaise, garlic chili sauce, sriracha and honey. It’s a perfect sauce for seafood, meat, and vegetables. Bang bang sauce is famous for coating Bonefish Grill’s popular bang bang shrimp appetizer.
Is it spicy? Whether you like foods spicy or not so spicy you can make this bang bang chicken to your liking. I was nervous to go all out spicy so I kept it on the more mild side of the scale by using smoked paprika instead of cayenne pepper and using less sriracha. This worked perfect for my son who is spice adverse. And then anyone that wanted more spice could simply add in a little more sriracha. Another option is to scoop out the chicken onto plates and then let everyone drizzle the bang bang sauce over the top instead of tossing the thicken in the sauce to coat.
Can I use chicken breasts? Sure! I used chicken thighs because they stay more moist and tender. However you can use chunks of chicken breast if you prefer. I would decrease the pressure cooking time by 1 minute if you do use chicken breasts. Make sure to use the 10 minute natural pressure release so the chicken doesn’t get tough.
What should I serve with Instant Pot bang bang chicken? For a lower carb option serve over steamed cauliflower rice. You can also serve wrapped up in lettuce (like lettuce wraps) or over shredded cabbage. Or if you don’t care about the carbs serve over rice or as a wrap. Try topping the bang bang chicken with sliced avocados, tomatoes and green onions.
You’ll also love…
Instant Pot Cheesecake Factory Cashew Chicken
Instant Pot Kung Pao Porcupine Meatballs
And if you’re eating keto try my Instant Pot Low Carb Recipe Ideas

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Instant Pot Bang Bang Chicken
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes (plus 10 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 26 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A low carb Instant Pot version of bang bang chicken. It’s got all that delicious flavor that you love from bang bang sauce but it’s not breaded and fried. It tastes great served over cauliflower rice.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tsp cayenne (or smoked paprika for milder version)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
For the bang bang sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup chili-garlic sauce
- 1–2 tsp sriracha sauce
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1/2–1 tsp cayenne pepper (or smoked paprika for milder version)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Pour chicken broth or water into Instant Pot. Place a steamer basket into the Instant Pot.
- Cut the chicken thighs into bite size pieces (discard excess fat). Add them into a large Ziploc bag. Toss in the cayenne or smoked paprika and the kosher salt. Zip up the bag and shake well so that the chicken pieces are coated.
- Pour the chicken into the steamer basket.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 5 minutes. When the time is up let the pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- While the chicken is cooking whisk together all the bang bang sauce ingredients. Cover and put in the refrigerator.
- Once the chicken is done cooking remove the steamer basket from the Instant Pot. Discard the water/broth. Toss the chicken in with the bang bang sauce and serve over rice or cauliflower rice.
Notes
If you want a milder bang bang sauce use the 1 tsp of sriracha and ½ tsp of smoked paprika. If you like it spicier than use 2 tsp of sriracha and 1 tsp of cayenne.
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Instant Pot

*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
How do you make the chili-garlic sauce?
Here is what I use: https://www.target.com/p/huy-fong-chili-garlic-sauce-8oz/-/A-13473416?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012732781&CPNG=PLA_Grocery%2BShopping_Local%7CGrocery_Ecomm_Food_Bev&adgroup=SC_Grocery&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9029688&targetid=pla-792993156168&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=CjwKCAjwpMOIBhBAEiwAy5M6YGntvnJEq8vwNSRRRPf7MnYdkByL1p8pQBfurplj0O-fQbSAB6Nj7hoCsVEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Do you heat the sauce before adding the chicken?
No, I did not.
Is there a crock pot version? This looks like a great way to give chicken a boost.
I haven’t tried this in the slow cooker but you could follow the recipe and instead of cooking in the IP you could cook in the slow cooker for 2-3 hours on low. Then toss in the sauce. Should be great!