Bao Buns with Chicken Recipe: Easy Asian Street Food 2026

Bao buns with chicken are a beloved Asian street food that brings together a pillowy steamed bun and a juicy, crispy filling. The contrast between the light, fluffy dough and the crunchy marinated chicken is what makes every bite so satisfying.

This version takes its cues from Korean fried chicken, with a sriracha marinade, a quick flour coating and a creamy spicy mayo to tie it all together. Pickled red onion and fresh cucumber add tang and crunch, while a scattering of chives finishes each bun.

They come together in about 35 minutes once the chicken has marinated, and the recipe makes 12 buns to serve six people. Serve them warm for a fun, hands-on meal that feels gourmet but is simple enough for a weeknight.

Ingredients for Bao Buns with Chicken

This recipe yields 6 servings (12 buns).

• 2 large boneless chicken thighs
• 20 g sriracha sauce (or another hot sauce to taste)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 1 pinch salt
• 100 ml water
• 350 g wheat flour
• Oil for frying
• 2 small pickled red onions
• Half a cucumber
• 60 g mayonnaise
• 1-2 teaspoons sriracha sauce
• 12 bao buns
• Fresh chives to taste

How to Make Bao Buns with Chicken Step by Step

1. Cut the chicken

Start by cutting 2 large boneless chicken thighs into 12 portions. Cut each thigh in half first, then cut each half into 3 pieces.

2. Marinate the chicken

Place the chopped chicken thighs in a bowl with 20 g sriracha, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 pinch ground black pepper, 1 pinch salt and 100 ml water. Mix well, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.

3. Coat the chicken in flour

After marinating, pour the chicken and all its juices over 350 g wheat flour. Mix well until every piece of chicken is well coated. Lumps of flour are fine, as they will make the coating extra crispy when fried.

4. Fry the chicken

Heat the frying oil and fry the chicken in small batches for a few minutes, until golden to your liking and cooked through. Remove from the oil and drain on absorbent paper towels to remove excess oil.

5. Slice the pickles and cucumber

While the chicken fries, cut 2 small pickled red onions into julienne strips and slice half a cucumber into thin rounds.

6. Mix the spicy mayo

Mix 60 g mayonnaise with 1 or 2 teaspoons sriracha, depending on how much heat you like.

7. Prepare the bao buns

Cook the bao buns according to the package instructions, or make them homemade if you prefer. Add a teaspoon of spicy mayo and 3-4 cucumber slices to each bun.

8. Fill the buns

Add the freshly fried chicken and some pickled onion. Top with chopped chives to taste.

9. Serve immediately

Serve these delicious chicken-filled bao buns right away, as they are at their best freshly made.

Tips for the Best Bao Buns with Chicken

Marinate for maximum flavor

The chicken needs at least 2 hours in the fridge, but leaving it overnight lets the sriracha, garlic and spices really soak in. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful and juicy the filling becomes.

Keep the coating lumpy

Don't worry if the flour mixture looks uneven after coating the chicken. Those little clumps of flour fry up into extra-crispy bits that contrast beautifully with the soft steamed buns.

Assemble just before serving

Steamed buns soften quickly once filled, so add the mayo, cucumber, chicken and toppings right before everyone sits down. That way the chicken stays crunchy and the buns stay fluffy.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a little bit of everything—cozy comfort classics, tried-and-true dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I'll reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this sophisticated Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

Come breakfast time or when I'm after a lighter bite, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean-inspired spreads, I'll bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. And when the occasion calls for something a touch fancier, this elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is a favorite of mine to serve.

Hearty midday meals and slow, cozy suppers are where these shine: the warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Craving something even more substantial? I'll bake up this hearty Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultimate comfort plate, this French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

When street-food cravings hit or I'm feeding a crowd, out come this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, boldly seasoned Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These fuss-free Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also make a great little appetizer or snack.

And when I'm mixing drinks and planning a whole spread for company, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To tie the whole meal together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing the table with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on three things: simplicity, dependable technique, and serious flavor.

These are the recipes I find myself making over and over—whether it's a fast solo meal or a festive spread for loved ones.

On the sweet side, the rich, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together easily. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled after the beloved Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture really helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and effortless, I'll typically make the traditional Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. When I want a heartier comfort dish, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner, this One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes rooted in tradition from all over the world, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's classic Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it delivers great texture without eating up time. My regular lineup includes the Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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