Bao buns are always a hit, and when paired with a sweet chili chicken filling, they’re simply irresistible! In this recipe, we create soft, fluffy buns filled with crispy chicken coated in a sweet and spicy glaze. Perfect as an appetizer or a crowd-pleasing party dish, these Sweet Chili Bao Buns offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors that are sure to impress.
Sweet Chili Bao Buns
Soft bao buns filled with crispy, sweet chili chicken and topped with fresh vegetables. Drizzled with creamy sriracha mayo
Ingredients
For the Bun
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ¼ cup oil plus more for brushing
For the Chicken Filling
- Chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 tablespoons cornflour
- Oil for frying
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove minced
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
For Garnish
- cucumber
- carrots
- Chopped spring onions
- Sesame seeds
For the Sriracha Mayo
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 3 tablespoon sriracha
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it’s foamy.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and oil, then mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough for 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Cover and let it rest in a warm place for 1–2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Prepare the Chicken Filling
- Toss the chicken pieces in cornflour until they’re well coated.
- Heat a pan with some oil over medium heat and fry the chicken pieces until they’re golden and crispy. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- In the same pan, add sesame oil and garlic, sautéing until fragrant. Add soy sauce, honey, and chili flakes, stirring until the mixture begins to thicken.
- Once thickened, return the crispy chicken to the pan, stirring until the pieces are well coated in the sweet chili sauce. Set aside.
Shape the Bao Buns
- After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 12 equal portions.
- You can either roll each portion into a ball and flatten it into an oval shape or roll out the dough and use a round cutter to cut circles. Brush a bit of oil on one side, fold it in half, and place it on a small square of parchment paper.
Steam the Buns
- Set up a steamer and bring the water to a boil. Place the buns in the steamer, leaving some space between them. Cover and steam for 10–12 minutes, until the buns are puffed up and cooked through.
Assemble the Bao Buns
- Carefully open each steamed bun and fill it with a spoonful of the sweet chili chicken filling. Top with julienne cucumber, carrots, and spring onion. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Drizzle with Sriracha Mayo
- In a small bowl, mix the mayo and sriracha. Drizzle this spicy sauce over the assembled bao buns for an extra kick of flavor.
- These sweet and spicy bao buns make the perfect party treat or a delicious meal to enjoy with loved ones!
