If you’re craving something fresh, flavorful, and downright addictive, the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe is about to become your new go-to meal. This dish brings together tender, perfectly cooked chicken coated in a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce, nestled atop a bed of fluffy rice and vibrant veggies. It’s a harmonious mix of textures and tastes that feels both indulgent and wholesome — perfect for lunch, dinner, or anytime you need a bowl of comfort with a kick.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple yet essential, each ingredient in this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe contributes a unique layer of flavor, crunch, or color that makes every bite exciting. From tender chicken to crisp cucumbers and zesty lime, these essentials work together to create the perfect balance.
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Choose thighs for extra juiciness or breasts for a leaner option.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Basic seasoning that enhances the natural flavors of the chicken.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: For searing the chicken to golden perfection.
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise: Creates a creamy base for the Bang Bang sauce.
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce: Adds a perfect balance of sweetness and mild heat.
- 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce: Brings the signature spicy punch to the sauce.
- 3 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine): The comforting foundation of the bowl that soaks up all the flavors.
- 1 cup shredded carrots: Provides a crunchy texture and vibrant color.
- 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced: Offers fresh, cooling contrast to the spicy sauce.
- 1/2 cup edamame, shelled and cooked: A protein-packed addition with a satisfying pop.
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions: Brings a mild oniony bite and freshness.
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro: Adds a bright, herbaceous lift.
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds: For a nutty crunch and beautiful garnish.
- Lime wedges, for garnish: A zesty squeeze that brightens and balances the dish.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe
Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken
Start by seasoning your chicken generously with salt and pepper. Heat your olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet, ensuring it’s hot enough that the chicken will sizzle the moment it hits the pan. Cook the chicken for about 6 to 8 minutes on each side until it’s golden brown and cooked through. This step is crucial to lock in moisture and build that beautiful caramelized crust.
Step 2: Rest and Slice the Chicken
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute evenly, keeping your chicken juicy and tender. Afterward, slice the chicken into thin, juicy strips ready to take center stage in your bowl.
Step 3: Whisk Up the Bang Bang Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha until smooth and perfectly creamy. This sauce is the heart of the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe — spicy, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet, guaranteed to elevate every bite.
Step 4: Build Your Bowls
Divide your warm, cooked rice evenly into four bowls. This comforting base will soak up all the vibrant flavors that follow.
Step 5: Layer on the Fresh Veggies and Chicken
Top each bowl of rice with your sliced chicken, then add shredded carrots, cool cucumber slices, cooked edamame, and chopped green onions. Each ingredient adds its own texture and freshness—giving the bowl a colorful, irresistible appeal.
Step 6: Drizzle the Bang Bang Sauce
Drizzle the creamy bang bang sauce generously over each bowl. You want every bite to have that perfect balance of spice and creaminess, making your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe truly unforgettable.
Step 7: Add the Finishing Touches
Garnish each bowl with chopped cilantro, sesame seeds, and a lime wedge. The cilantro adds brightness, the sesame seeds give a nutty crunch, and the lime adds a refreshing tang that ties all the flavors together beautifully.
Step 8: Serve Immediately and Enjoy!
Your vibrant Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is ready to be enjoyed. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding friends and family, it’s a crowd-pleaser that feels both special and satisfying.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe
Garnishes
The garnish options for this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe really make a difference. Fresh cilantro leaves add herbal brightness, while a squeeze of lime juice brightens the flavors beautifully. Toasted sesame seeds provide a subtle crunch and nutty aroma that complements the dish perfectly. Feel free to add extra chopped green onions for an extra punch of freshness.
Side Dishes
Pair your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with simple, fresh sides for a balanced meal. A crisp Asian-inspired slaw or a light cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame oil complements the bowl’s bold flavors wonderfully. Alternatively, serving it with steamed or roasted veggies turns it into a fully rounded, hearty feast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe in colorful bowls or on large platter-style plates for family-style dining. You can also layer the ingredients in mason jars for a grab-and-go lunch that’s as pretty as it is delicious. Adding edible flowers or thinly sliced radishes as a garnish can elevate the dish for special occasions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store each component separately whenever possible. Keep the chicken, rice, vegetables, and bang bang sauce in airtight containers in the fridge for up to three days to preserve freshness and texture.
Freezing
The cooked chicken and rice freeze well on their own but avoid freezing the fresh vegetables or sauce, as they can lose their texture when thawed. For best results, freeze chicken and rice in portion-sized containers and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken and rice gently in a microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to keep them moist. Add fresh veggies and bang bang sauce only after reheating for that crisp, fresh bite. A quick squeeze of lime after reheating will also refresh the flavors beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use a different protein in the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe?
Absolutely! While chicken is classic, shrimp, tofu, or even crispy chickpeas make excellent alternatives that soak up the bang bang sauce beautifully.
Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Yes! The Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe is fantastic for meal prep as all components can be prepared in advance and assembled when ready to eat, making it a convenient and flavorful option for busy days.
How spicy is the bang bang sauce?
The sauce has a lively but balanced heat thanks to the sriracha, which you can easily adjust up or down to suit your spice preference by adding more or less sriracha sauce.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Definitely. Just be sure to use gluten-free sweet chili sauce and check that your sriracha is gluten-free, and this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe fits perfectly into a gluten-free diet.
What rice works best in this recipe?
Jasmine rice offers a fragrant option that pairs wonderfully with the sauce, but white or brown rice works just as well depending on your preference and desired texture.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe — its vibrant flavors, colorful ingredients, and comforting base all come together to create a meal that feels fresh and exciting every single time. Whether you’re cooking for a quick weeknight meal or whipping up something to impress guests, this recipe delivers with flair and ease. Give it a try, and get ready to fall in love with one of the most satisfying bowls around!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 20m
- Cook Time: 0h 16m
- Total Time: 0h 36m
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Description
A vibrant and flavorful Bang Bang Chicken Bowl featuring tender pan-seared chicken strips drizzled with a spicy-sweet creamy sauce, served over a bed of rice and topped with fresh vegetables, cilantro, and sesame seeds. This dish is perfect for a quick, satisfying meal with a delightful balance of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
Bowl Components
- 3 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup edamame, shelled and cooked
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Lime wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt and pepper evenly on both sides to prepare them for cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes per side until fully cooked through and golden brown on the exterior. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes to retain juices before slicing into strips.
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha sauce until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This will be the spicy-sweet dressing for the bowl.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked rice evenly among four bowls. Then top each portion of rice with the sliced chicken strips.
- Add Fresh Vegetables: To each bowl, add shredded carrots, thinly sliced cucumbers, cooked shelled edamame, and chopped green onions for crunch and freshness.
- Drizzle with Sauce: Generously drizzle the bang bang sauce over the chicken and vegetable-topped rice bowls, making sure everything is coated with the flavorful sauce.
- Garnish: Sprinkle chopped cilantro and sesame seeds over each bowl for aromatic freshness and a bit of nuttiness. Add a lime wedge to each bowl for an optional citrus squeeze.
- Serve: Serve the bowls immediately to enjoy the contrasting textures and spicy creamy flavors at their best.
Notes
- You can use either chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference; thighs will be juicier.
- For a lower calorie version, use light mayonnaise or Greek yogurt instead of regular mayonnaise.
- Cook rice ahead of time to speed up assembly; jasmine or brown rice both work well.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce the sriracha in the sauce to 1 tablespoon or less.
- Feel free to swap edamame with other cooked beans like chickpeas or peas if preferred.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days but best consumed fresh for optimal texture and flavor.
