Set up your breading station by placing flour in the first bowl, whisking together eggs in the second bowl, and combining panko breadcrumbs with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in the third bowl. While your breading station is ready, mix together mayo, chili sauce, sriracha, sugar, lime juice, and salt in a small bowl to create your bang bang sauce. Set both aside—this prep work ensures smooth, efficient coating without delays once you start breading the chicken.

Pat the chicken breast chunks dry with paper towels, then season lightly with salt and pepper. Working with one piece at a time, coat the chicken in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten egg, and finally roll in the panko breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the coating adheres. I like to let each breaded piece sit on a plate for a minute or two before air frying—this helps the coating set and stay crispy rather than flaking off during cooking.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. While it heats, arrange the breaded chicken pieces from Step 2 in a single layer on a plate. Once the air fryer is ready, lightly spray the chicken pieces with oil on all sides—this is crucial for achieving that golden, crispy exterior that makes air fryer chicken so satisfying.

Place the oiled chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Cook at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through at the 7-minute mark to ensure even browning. Check that the thickest pieces have reached an internal temperature of 165°F with a meat thermometer. I find that shaking the basket at the 7-minute mark really makes a difference—it prevents any pieces from sticking and ensures all sides brown evenly.

Transfer the cooked chicken to a serving bowl or plate. Pour the bang bang sauce from Step 1 over the warm chicken and toss gently to coat evenly, or serve it alongside as a dipping sauce for individual preference. The sauce is silky and flavorful warm or at room temperature, so either works perfectly.