If you’re looking for the perfect balance of creamy, spicy, crunchy, and fresh—all neatly layered in one vibrant dish—the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is about to become your new obsession. This bowl isn’t just a feast for the eyes with its rainbow of veggies and golden chicken; it’s a flavor-packed adventure that comes together in under half an hour. With juicy, boldly-seasoned chicken, crisp vegetables, fluffy rice, and a signature bang bang sauce that strikes the ideal sweet-heat-creamy note, this bowl checks every box: quick, customizable, and totally crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s beauty in the simplicity of the ingredients for the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl—each one brings something special to the table, making every bite layered and exciting. Here’s what you’ll need, along with why they matter.
- Chicken breasts: Lean, protein-rich pieces become golden and succulent with a quick sauté.
- Olive oil: Helps get that irresistible sear on the chicken—use a light touch for just enough flavor.
- Garlic powder: Adds a savory punch that wakes up the whole bowl.
- Smoked paprika: Lends a gentle smokiness and next-level depth to the chicken.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for drawing out all the flavors and balancing the seasoning.
- Cooked white rice: The soft, starchy anchor for the bowl; swap for brown rice to up the fiber.
- Shredded red cabbage: Brings a vibrant crunch and a lovely jewel-tone pop.
- Shredded carrots: Sweet and crisp, they add texture and color to every forkful.
- Chopped cucumber: Cool, refreshing, and soothing in the midst of all the bold flavors.
- Sliced green onions: A sprinkle of zippy freshness on top is non-negotiable.
- Sesame seeds: For a gentle crunch and that classic Asian-inspired bowl finish.
- Fresh cilantro (optional): If you love an herby twist, it’s the perfect fragrant finish.
- Mayonnaise: Base of the creamy bang bang sauce—full fat or light both work well.
- Sweet chili sauce: Lends sweetness and a gentle heat to the magical sauce.
- Sriracha: Bumps up the spice and gives the bang bang chicken bowl its signature kick.
- Rice vinegar: Adds tangy brightness to cut the creamy sauce.
- Honey: Rounds out the heat with a little mellow sweetness.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Start by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium. Once shimmering, add your seasoned chicken pieces (tossed with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper). Let them sizzle, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through—about 5 to 7 minutes. The goal: juicy-inside, caramelized-outside chicken that’ll be the highlight of your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl.
Step 2: Whip Up the Bang Bang Sauce
While your kitchen starts to fill with mouthwatering aromas, whisk together mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and honey in a small bowl. This is the magic that will bind your bowl together—it should be creamy, with a hit of spice and a tangy finish. Adjust the sriracha for more or less heat, depending on what you love.
Step 3: Prepare the Veggie Base
Time to create a crisp, colorful foundation. Layer your serving bowls with hot cooked rice, then blanket with shredded red cabbage, carrots, and cucumber. This medley delivers plenty of crunch and pops of flavor, making every mouthful sing.
Step 4: Assemble and Drizzle
Pile the cooked chicken on top of the veggies and rice. Now, drizzle generously with that luxurious bang bang sauce—there’s no such thing as too much here! Top with a flurry of green onions, a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro if you like. The result is a Bang Bang Chicken Bowl that looks just as irresistible as it tastes.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Garnishes
Garnishes bring both visual flair and fresh flavor to the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl. Classic choices like sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro do the job beautifully, adding sharpness, texture, and a hit of herby brightness. Don’t be afraid to shower the top with extra sesame seeds or even a squeeze of lime for a little zing.
Side Dishes
While a Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a complete meal on its own, pairing it with a light side can make dinner feel extra special. Try simple additions like steamed edamame, a crisp Asian cucumber salad, or even roasted broccoli for more veggies. If you’re feeding a hungry crowd, serve with veggie spring rolls or a miso soup starter.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving to guests or just want to elevate your weeknight dinner, present the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl deconstructed—arrange toppings and rice on a board and let everyone build their own. Or, swap the bowl for lettuce cups or wraps for an interactive, hand-held version that kids (and kids-at-heart) will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
For the best results, store all Bang Bang Chicken Bowl components separately in airtight containers. Keep the bang bang sauce in a small jar or container; it will stay fresh for up to 4 days in the fridge. Veggies, rice, and chicken can each be chilled for 3 to 4 days. This keeps every part tasting as fresh as possible, making it a fantastic meal prep option.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked chicken and rice for up to 2 months—just cool them down completely first. Freeze chicken and rice in individual portions for grab-and-go lunches. Skip freezing the veggies and sauce, though, since their fresh texture is a big part of the bowl’s appeal and doesn’t hold up well after thawing.
Reheating
To reheat, pop chicken and rice in the microwave with a damp paper towel to keep things moist, or sauté quickly on the stove. Let everything heat through fully before building your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with freshly shredded veggies and sauce right before serving for maximum crunch.
FAQs
Can I make the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prep all the components in advance, storing veggies, rice, chicken, and sauce separately. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the chicken and rice, then assemble your bowl for ultimate freshness.
How do I make this dish gluten-free?
The Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free mayonnaise and certified gluten-free sweet chili sauce. Always double-check your sauce bottles to be sure.
What protein substitutes can I use?
For a vegetarian twist, try swapping the chicken for crispy tofu cubes or roasted chickpeas. Shrimp also makes a wonderful substitute for a seafood spin—just cook briefly until pink and tender.
How spicy is the bang bang sauce?
It’s a moderate heat, depending on how much sriracha you use. For a milder version, use less sriracha and more sweet chili sauce. Want it fiery? Add a dash of extra hot sauce or even a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
Can I meal prep Bang Bang Chicken Bowl for the week?
Yes! This recipe packs perfectly for work lunches. Keep sauce, chicken, rice, and veggies in separate containers for assembly on the go—the flavors only improve as they mingle together.
Final Thoughts
The Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is everything weeknight dinners should be: craveable, colorful, and ready in no time. Whether you’re new to bowls or this is your latest food obsession, I hope you’ll give it a try and experience just how easy, flavorful, and endlessly adaptable it can be!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl recipe is a delicious and satisfying meal that combines tender chicken, flavorful rice, crunchy vegetables, and a spicy, creamy sauce. Perfect for a quick dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Bowl:
- 1 cup cooked white rice (or brown rice)
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet, season chicken with spices, cook until golden brown.
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and honey.
- Assemble the Bowl: Layer rice, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, and chicken in serving bowls. Drizzle with bang bang sauce and top with green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut.
- Swap the rice for cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- Adjust the sriracha to your preferred spice level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
