Marinate the Chicken: Begin by marinating 2 lbs of chicken breasts in 1 cup of buttermilk mixed with 1 tsp each of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, 1 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of black pepper. Let this mixture sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight for maximum flavor.
Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of mayo, 1/4 cup of sweet chili sauce, 1 to 2 tbsp of sriracha (depending on your heat preference), 1 tbsp of honey, 1 tbsp of lime juice, and 1/2 tsp of garlic powder. Stir until smooth and set aside.
Dredge the Chicken: After marination, remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting any excess liquid drip off. In one bowl, place 1/2 cup of flour, and in another bowl, 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs. Dredge the chicken first in the flour, then in the panko, ensuring an even coating.
Fry the Chicken: Heat enough oil in a frying pan (about 1 cup) over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry the breaded chicken for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Remove from the pan and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Toast the Buns: While the chicken is frying, slice your slider buns in half and lightly toast them in the oven or on a pan until slightly golden.
Assemble the Sliders: Spread a generous amount of the Bang Bang sauce on the bottom half of each slider bun. Place the fried chicken on top, followed by a handful of shredded lettuce, a few slices of red onion, pickles, and garnish with chopped cilantro.
Serve: Place the top half of the bun on each slider and serve with extra Bang Bang sauce on the side for dipping!