If you’re looking to spice up your dinner routine with something vibrant and satisfying, this Bang Bang Chicken & Rice Bowls Recipe will become your new go-to. It’s bursting with bold flavors, creamy and spicy bang bang sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly fluffy jasmine rice—all coming together in one colorful, easy-to-assemble bowl. This recipe hits just the right balance between comfort food and exciting tastes, making it perfect for both weeknight meals and casual gatherings with friends or family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Bang Bang Chicken & Rice Bowls Recipe lies in its simple yet vital ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color that make this dish irresistible.
- Chicken breasts: The lean protein base that’ll soak up all the spices and sauce beautifully.
- Olive oil: Helps to sear the chicken to a golden perfection without drying it out.
- Garlic powder: Adds a mellow, robust depth to the chicken seasoning.
- Onion powder: Brings subtle sweetness and a touch of sharpness.
- Paprika: Infuses a smoky warmth and vibrant color.
- Cayenne pepper: Adds just the right hint of heat without overpowering.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the other flavors.
- Jasmine rice: Fragrant and fluffy, it forms the perfect base for the bowl.
- Water: For cooking the jasmine rice to tender perfection.
- Mayonnaise: Creates a creamy texture that mellows the heat in the sauce.
- Sweet chili sauce: Offers a sweet-spicy kick that’s signature to bang bang sauce.
- Sriracha sauce: Boosts the spicy factor with a garlicky punch.
- Rice vinegar: Adds brightness and a subtle tang.
- Honey: Balances heat and vinegar with its natural sweetness.
- Sesame oil: Delivers nutty richness that elevates every bite.
- Green onions: For fresh, sharp pops of color and flavor in the garnish.
- Cilantro: Adds a fresh herbal note that complements the spice.
- Sesame seeds: Give a toasty crunch and beautiful finishing touch.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken & Rice Bowls Recipe
Step 1: Season and Cook the Chicken
Start by heating a skillet over medium-high heat while you season the chicken breasts generously with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. This flavorful rub creates a vibrant crust when cooked.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Add olive oil to your hot skillet, then carefully place the chicken breasts in. Sear them for about 6 to 7 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F. This careful cooking locks in the juices for tender, juicy chicken every time.
Step 3: Rest the Chicken
Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest on a plate for a few minutes. Resting is crucial because it allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring that every bite is moist and tender.
Step 4: Cook the Jasmine Rice
While your chicken rests, it’s time to make the jasmine rice. In a medium pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil with 1 cup of jasmine rice. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the rice simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Then, turn off the heat and let it sit covered for another 5 minutes to steam perfectly fluffy grains.
Step 5: Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil until the sauce is creamy, smoothly blended, and bursting with a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. This sauce is what takes your Bang Bang Chicken & Rice Bowls Recipe to the next level.
Step 6: Slice and Assemble
Slice the rested chicken into thin strips. To create your bowls, generously layer the cooked jasmine rice at the bottom, then pile on the chicken strips. Drizzle a good amount of bang bang sauce over the top, bringing creamy heat to every mouthful.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Top your bowls with freshly chopped green onions, cilantro, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a beautiful, fresh finish that adds a burst of color and texture. Serve immediately and dive into this flavor-packed experience.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken & Rice Bowls Recipe
Garnishes
Green onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds add freshness, herbal brightness, and a tiny delightful crunch that uplift the dish every time. These garnishes make the bowl look inviting and add textural contrast that’s so satisfying.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with crisp salads such as an Asian slaw or simple steamed broccoli for added green goodness. If you want to indulge more, fresh spring rolls or dumplings make perfect companions to your Bang Bang Chicken & Rice Bowls Recipe meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve in colorful bowls with a wedge of lime on the side for extra zest. You could also offer the sauce on the side for dipping or drizzle it artistically over the chicken for a stunning presentation that your guests will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Bang Bang Chicken & Rice Bowls Recipe components can be stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the rice and chicken apart from the sauce to preserve freshness and texture.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked chicken and rice, but the sauce is best fresh. Freeze chicken and rice in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain their quality.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken and rice gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to prevent drying out. Add the bang bang sauce fresh after reheating for the best creamy texture and flavor burst.
FAQs
Can I use other types of rice for this recipe?
Absolutely! While jasmine rice adds a lovely floral note and fluffy texture, you can substitute with basmati, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice if you’re looking for a lower-carb option.
Is the bang bang sauce spicy?
The sauce offers a balanced heat thanks to the blend of sriracha and sweet chili sauce, but the mayo and honey mellow the spice enough to make it approachable for most palates. You can always adjust the sriracha amount for more or less heat.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Swap out the chicken for crispy tofu or roasted vegetables, and you’ll still get all the great bang bang flavors in your rice bowl.
What if I don’t have rice vinegar?
Rice vinegar adds a delicate tang, but if you don’t have it on hand, you can use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar as a substitute. Just use a little less and adjust to taste.
How do I know when the chicken is cooked properly?
The safest way is to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F using a meat thermometer. The chicken should also be opaque all the way through with no pink remaining.
Final Thoughts
This Bang Bang Chicken & Rice Bowls Recipe is a vibrant, flavor-packed meal that’s surprisingly simple to make and sure to impress anyone who tries it. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or entertaining friends, these bowls offer a perfect balance of comforting rice, spicy-sweet chicken, and creamy sauce that’ll keep you coming back for more. Give it a go—you might just discover your new favorite dinner!
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Bang Bang Chicken & Rice Bowls Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 25m
- Total Time: 0h 40m
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Description
This Bang Bang Chicken & Rice Bowls recipe features tender, spiced chicken breasts cooked to perfection and served atop fluffy jasmine rice, all drizzled with a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce made with a blend of mayonnaise, sweet chili, and sriracha. Garnished with fresh green onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds, this dish combines bold Asian-inspired flavors in a simple, satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Rice
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 2 cups water
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
Garnishes
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Heat Skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Season Chicken: While the skillet heats up, season the chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to infuse flavor.
- Add Oil: Once the skillet is hot, add the olive oil to prevent sticking and help achieve a golden crust on the chicken.
- Cook Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring they are fully cooked.
- Rest Chicken: Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest on a plate for a few minutes; this helps retain moisture when slicing.
- Prepare Rice: While the chicken rests, start making the rice.
- Combine Rice & Water: In a medium pot, add jasmine rice and water.
- Boil Water: Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Simmer Rice: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until the rice is tender and water is absorbed.
- Let Rice Rest: Remove the pot from heat and keep it covered for an additional 5 minutes to finish steaming and fluff up the rice.
- Prepare Sauce: While rice rests, prepare the bang bang sauce by combining mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil in a small bowl.
- Mix Sauce: Whisk together until smooth and fully blended into a creamy, spicy sauce.
- Slice Chicken: Thinly slice the rested chicken breasts for easy eating and portioning over the bowls.
- Assemble Bowls: Add a generous scoop of jasmine rice to each serving bowl.
- Add Chicken: Lay the sliced chicken over the rice.
- Drizzle Sauce: Pour the bang bang sauce evenly over the chicken and rice to add creamy heat and flavor.
- Garnish: Top with chopped green onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds for freshness and texture.
- Serve: Serve the bowls immediately while warm and enjoy this flavorful meal.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Adjust sriracha and cayenne pepper quantities to control the spice level according to your preference.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken with the spices for 30 minutes before cooking if time allows.
- Leftover rice can be stored in the fridge and reheated for up to 3 days.
- This dish can be made gluten-free by ensuring the sweet chili sauce is gluten-free or substituting with a homemade version.
