If you’re looking for a vibrant, flavor-packed lunch or dinner that comes together in a flash, the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is the answer to your cravings. Imagine juicy chicken, crisp veggies, and fragrant jasmine rice, all brought to life with a creamy-spicy bang bang sauce that’s totally crave-worthy. Each bite is satisfying, colorful, and bursting with fresh Asian-inspired flavors that will have you making this bowl again and again. Easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests, the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is about to become a fast favorite in your recipe rotation!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is thoughtfully chosen to balance taste, texture, and color. You’ll be surprised at how just a handful of fresh basics and a killer sauce can build so much complexity and excitement in one bowl!
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless and skinless for quick, even cooking and plenty of juicy goodness.
- Cornstarch: Coats the chicken for a crisp finish outside without deep-frying.
- Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps get that golden sear on the chicken.
- Jasmine Rice: Fragrant and fluffy, it’s the comforting base for every layer of flavor above.
- Romaine Lettuce: Shredded for a cool, crisp crunch that lightens up each spoonful.
- Carrots: Adds a subtly sweet crunch and a pop of gorgeous orange color.
- Cucumber: Thinly sliced to bring refreshing, hydrating crunch to your bowl.
- Avocado: Sliced for creaminess that balances the spiciness of the sauce.
- Green Onions: Chopped for a mild, peppery bite and a splash of green.
- Fresh Cilantro: A fragrant herb finish that lifts the entire dish with freshness.
- Mayonnaise: The irresistible, silky base for that signature bang bang sauce.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Brings sweetness and a mild heat, deepening the sauce’s flavor.
- Sriracha: The source of bold, spicy heat—adjust to tickle your taste buds just right.
- Honey: Rounds out the spice with a touch of natural sweetness.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds a tart, tangy brightness to balance the sauce.
- Salt: Just a pinch brings out all those zesty, savory flavors.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Step 1: Whip Up the Bang Bang Sauce
Start with the secret weapon: the bang bang sauce! In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, and that pinch of salt. You’re looking for a smooth, creamy, pale orange sauce that tastes both spicy and sweet—give it a quick taste and adjust the sriracha or honey to match your heat preference. Set this aside; it’s about to make your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl irresistible!
Step 2: Prep and Coat the Chicken
Pat your chicken pieces dry, then toss them evenly in cornstarch until every chunk is lightly coated. This little touch is magic—it helps the chicken turn crisp and golden in the pan while also grabbing onto the bang bang sauce later for max flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Sizzle the Chicken on the Stovetop
Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, scatter in your chicken (work in batches if needed for a good sear, not a steam). Let the pieces cook undisturbed for a few minutes, flip, and continue cooking until each bite is beautifully golden brown and cooked through—usually 6 to 8 minutes total. Pull the skillet off the heat and immediately toss the hot chicken with half of your bang bang sauce, letting it soak up that creamy, spicy flavor while the chicken stays juicy and crisp.
Step 4: Build Your Bowls
Time for assembly! Lay a fluffy bed of jasmine rice across the bottom of each bowl. Scatter shredded romaine, carrots, and cucumber all around, then add creamy slices of avocado. Nestle the warm, saucy chicken right on top, then sprinkle everything with green onions. For the grand finale, drizzle with the remaining bang bang sauce and shower with fresh cilantro. Your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is ready to wow!
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Garnishes
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is already pretty enough to eat, but the right garnishes take it over the top. A final handful of fresh cilantro and chopped green onions adds a bright pop of color and extra flavor. If you like extra crunch, try tossing on some toasted sesame seeds or chopped peanuts—the bowls love a little texture!
Side Dishes
While these bowls are a meal on their own, you can round out the table with some easy sides. A quick cucumber salad, miso soup, or a plate of steamed edamame makes the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl feel even more special. If you’re going big, some crispy spring rolls would be delightful for sharing.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re entertaining, set up a Bang Bang Chicken Bowl bar so guests can customize their toppings and sauce to their hearts’ content. For a fun twist, serve the toppings over quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lighter take, or even in large lettuce cups for a hand-held version. Mini bowls make fantastic appetizers for a crowd—just spoon up smaller portions and pass them around!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep everything fresh, store the chicken, rice, veggies, and sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge. This way, nothing gets soggy and you can quickly assemble a Bang Bang Chicken Bowl whenever the craving strikes—everything should keep well for up to 3 days.
Freezing
While the fresh veggies are best enjoyed right away, you can freeze the cooked chicken and rice for up to 2 months. Let them cool completely, pack in airtight freezer bags or containers, and label for easy meal prep. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Reheating
For best texture, reheat the chicken and rice separately in the microwave or a skillet until warmed through. Add fresh veggies and sauce just before serving to keep everything crisp. If the sauce has thickened in the fridge, a tiny splash of water and a quick stir will bring it right back to life.
FAQs
Can I make this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl dairy-free?
Absolutely! Just swap in your favorite dairy-free mayonnaise for a totally dairy-free experience without losing any creamy goodness in the sauce.
What can I use instead of chicken?
For a vegetarian version, swap the chicken with crispy tofu or even roasted chickpeas. For other proteins, shrimp or thinly sliced steak work beautifully with the bang bang sauce.
Is Bang Bang Chicken Bowl spicy?
The sauce has a bit of heat, but it’s super easy to adjust. Add more or less sriracha to dial the spice level up or down—so everyone walks away happy!
Can I meal prep Bang Bang Chicken Bowl?
This recipe is a meal prep dream. Just keep your chicken, rice, veggies, and sauce separate and assemble right before eating for a fresh, quick lunch all week long.
How can I make this gluten-free?
To make this bowl fully gluten-free, use gluten-free mayonnaise and double-check that your sweet chili sauce is certified gluten-free. With these simple swaps, you’re good to go!
Final Thoughts
The Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is everything I love in a meal—bold, colorful, fresh, and so easy to make. Give it a try, share it with someone you love, and don’t be surprised if it becomes your new favorite weeknight staple!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 bowls 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A delicious and spicy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl recipe that combines tender chicken pieces coated in a flavorful sauce with jasmine rice and fresh vegetables. This Asian-inspired dish is bursting with vibrant flavors and textures, making it a satisfying and wholesome meal.
Ingredients
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- Pinch of salt
For the Bowl:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cups cooked jasmine rice
- 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, and a pinch of salt.
- Prepare Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 6–8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Toss with half of the bang bang sauce.
- Assemble Bowls: Divide rice among serving bowls. Top with lettuce, carrots, cucumber, avocado, chicken, and green onions. Drizzle with remaining sauce and sprinkle with cilantro.
Notes
- You can substitute quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lighter base.
- For extra heat, add more sriracha to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
