Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bao Buns

Ingredients (makes 12 buns)

For chicken

• 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 cups full-fat Buttermilk
• 1/4 cup your favorite hot sauce
• 1/4 cup Pickle brine (liquid from a pickle jar)
• 2 cups of flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
• Canola oil for frying

For Buffalo Sauce

• 1 stick of melted butter
• 1/2 cup of Frank’s hot sauce or your favorite hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon of honey

For Assembly

• 12 steamed bao buns (these buns can be found at a local Asian supermarket. Either fresh or frozen.)
• pickles

How to Make These Babies

1. Cut the chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces. Chicken shears make this process much easier.
2. In a large bowl or Ziploc bag, add the buttermilk, pickle jar brine, hot sauce, and chicken thighs chunks. Mix to combine.
3. Let the chicken marinate either on the kitchen counter for 2 hours or overnight in the fridge. If marinating overnight in the fridge, take the chicken out 2 hours before frying so it can come to room temp.
4. In a wide bowl, combine flour, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade and dip each piece in the flour mixture until well coated.
5. Heat 1 ½ inches of canola oil in a dutch oven or any large deep pot to 350 degrees.
6. Fry chicken until golden brown and cooked through (about 3-4 minutes per side) until VERY VERY crispy. Once done, place the chicken on a cooling rack and hit it with some salt asap. (Salt bae)
7. In a small saucepan or a microwave-safe bowl, add the butter, honey, and hot sauce. Whisk the mixture, bring it to a boil then lower it to a simmer.  Continuously whisk until combined or place in the microwave for 30-second intervals.  Mix and repeat until combined. If the sauce is not spicy enough for you, add a touch of cayenne powder and taste until it’s your desired spice level.
8. Add the buffalo sauce to a wide dish and dip both sides of the crispayy chicken in it so it gets completed coated n saucyyy
9.  Now, you’re ready to assemble your masterpiece!!
10. Start with your steamed bao bun, add you’re crispy buff chick, followed by pickles. Layer on more buffalo sauce if you want!
11. Lastly, take a second to sit back and be impressed with yooo self & DIG INNNN