If you are craving a meal that bursts with flavor, has the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, spicy, and fresh, then you must try the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Creamy Sauce and Crispy Toppings Recipe. This vibrant dish combines crispy, golden chicken pieces with a luscious, spicy-sweet sauce, all set atop a bed of fresh veggies and fluffy rice. Every bite feels like a celebration of textures and tastes, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying weekend treat. It’s reliable comfort food elevated to something truly special that you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s wonderful about this recipe is how simple but essential each ingredient is, contributing either crunch, creaminess, bright freshness, or a touch of heat that all come together effortlessly. Here’s what makes this dish so irresistible:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: These bite-sized pieces provide tender meat that crisps up beautifully when coated and fried.
- Panko breadcrumbs: The secret to that light, irresistibly crispy coating on the chicken.
- All-purpose flour: Helps the coating stick and ensures a perfect crust.
- Egg: Acts as a binder so the panko adheres tightly to each chicken piece.
- Mayonnaise and Greek yogurt: These create the creamy, tangy base of the Bang Bang sauce.
- Sweet chili sauce and sriracha sauce: Bring the dish’s signature sweet heat and spice.
- Cooked rice: A neutral bed that soaks up all the delicious flavors.
- Shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix: Adds crunch and freshness.
- Julienned carrot: Provides a pop of color and subtle sweetness.
- Edamame beans: Bring a tender bite and a boost of nutrition.
- Green onions: Give a mild sharpness that brightens the bowl.
- Soy sauce and sesame oil: Add savory depth and a toasty aroma to the veggies.
- Vegetable oil: For frying the chicken to crispy perfection.
- Sesame seeds: Garnish that adds a nutty crunch and visual appeal.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning at every step.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Creamy Sauce and Crispy Toppings Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Coatings
Start by setting up your dredging stations. Mix the flour with salt and pepper in one shallow dish, beat an egg in another, and place the panko breadcrumbs in a third. This simple setup ensures every piece of chicken will have a perfect crispy crust.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
Dip each chicken piece in the flour mixture first, then the beaten egg, and finally press it into the panko breadcrumbs. This triple-step coating guarantees a crispy exterior that locks in juicy chicken.
Step 3: Fry Until Golden
Heat your vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat and work in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry the chicken, turning occasionally, until all sides turn a beautiful golden brown and the chicken is cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels to keep things crispy.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Bang Bang Sauce
Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha in a small bowl until smooth. Feel free to adjust the amount of sriracha if you like it hotter or milder. This verdant sauce is the soul of the dish, tying all the textures and flavors together.
Step 5: Toss the Veggies and Rice
In a large mixing bowl, combine your cooked rice with shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix, julienned carrot, edamame, and sliced green onions. Drizzle everything with soy sauce and sesame oil, then toss gently to coat. This mixture adds a fresh crunch and subtle savory notes.
Step 6: Assemble the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Creamy Sauce and Crispy Toppings Recipe
Divide the rice and vegetable mixture among your serving bowls, then top lavishly with the crispy fried chicken pieces. Every bowl is a canvas waiting to be drizzled with that luscious sauce.
Step 7: Add the Drizzle and Garnish
Generously spoon the Bang Bang sauce over the chicken and rice, allowing the creamy sauce to mingle with the crispiness. Scatter sesame seeds and additional green onions on top for a beautiful finishing touch and added flavor.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast between hot crispy chicken, cold crunchy veggies, and cool creamy sauce in every bite. This is comfort food elevated and guaranteed to satisfy.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Creamy Sauce and Crispy Toppings Recipe
Garnishes
Aside from sesame seeds and green onions, you can add fresh coriander or crushed peanuts for an extra layer of aroma and crunchy texture. A wedge of lime adds an optional zesty brightness that pairs wonderfully with the creamy sauce.
Side Dishes
This bowl is a meal on its own, but you can complement it with a light cucumber salad, steamed dumplings, or a simple miso soup to make a wholesome spread that feels indulgent yet balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, assemble these bowls buffet-style so everyone can customize their toppings and sauce amount. Or for a more elegant presentation, serve the chicken on a bed of arugula and microgreens to add peppery undertones and heighten the visual appeal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover chicken, rice, and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This helps maintain the crispiness of the chicken when you’re ready to reheat and assemble your bowl again.
Freezing
The chicken pieces freeze well if you want to make ahead in bulk. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually first, then transfer to a freezer bag. The rice and sauce do not freeze as well due to texture changes.
Reheating
To revive the chicken’s crispiness, reheat in a hot oven or air fryer rather than the microwave. Reheat the rice gently on the stove or microwave with a splash of water, and stir the sauce before drizzling fresh over the warm bowl.
FAQs
Can I use another protein instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Shrimp or tofu both work beautifully in this recipe. Just adjust cooking times accordingly, especially if using shrimp which cooks very quickly.
Is this recipe spicy?
The sauce has a nice kick thanks to the sriracha, but you can easily tweak the heat level by reducing or increasing the amount of sriracha or sweet chili sauce. It’s all about your preference!
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?
Yes! Baking can be a healthier option. Coat the chicken as usual and bake on a greased sheet at 425°F (220°C) for 15-20 minutes, turning once to crisp both sides.
What kind of rice works best?
Both white and brown rice work well here. Brown rice adds nuttier flavor and chewy texture, while white rice keeps the dish lighter and fluffier.
How long does it take to make this dish?
From start to finish, this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Creamy Sauce and Crispy Toppings Recipe takes about 40 minutes. It’s a perfect balance of quick preparation and rewarding flavor!
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Creamy Sauce and Crispy Toppings Recipe highly enough for anyone looking to transform simple ingredients into a show-stopping, crave-worthy meal. Its layers of flavor and texture will have you hooked after the first bite, and it’s just as fun to make as it is to eat. Give it a try and watch it become your new favorite weeknight dinner or impressive lunch!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Creamy Sauce and Crispy Toppings Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 20m
- Cook Time: 0h 20m
- Total Time: 0h 40m
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Description
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl combines crispy fried chicken pieces with a creamy, spicy Bang Bang sauce atop a fresh and vibrant bed of rice and vegetables. Featuring a crunchy panko coating and a flavorful mix of shredded cabbage, julienned carrots, edamame, and green onions, this bowl offers a satisfying balance of textures and flavors perfect for a quick and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
Bowl Components
- 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
- 2 cups shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1/2 cup edamame beans, shelled
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
Garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- Additional green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Coatings: In a shallow dish, mix the all-purpose flour with salt and pepper. In a separate dish, beat the egg. In a third dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
- Coat Chicken: Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour mixture, then dip into the beaten egg, and finally coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- Fry Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches, cooking each side for about 4-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Make Bang Bang Sauce: Whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha sauce in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust spiciness to taste.
- Prepare Rice and Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, shredded cabbage, julienned carrot, shelled edamame, and sliced green onions. Drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil, tossing well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Bowls: Divide the rice and vegetable mixture evenly among serving bowls. Top each with a generous portion of the crispy fried chicken pieces.
- Add Sauce: Drizzle the creamy Bang Bang sauce generously over the chicken and rice mixtures in each bowl.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds and additional green onions on top for garnish. Serve immediately to enjoy the blend of textures and flavors.
Notes
- The chicken can be baked instead of fried for a healthier option, but frying provides the best crispiness.
- Use brown rice for a healthier, higher fiber version.
- Adjust the sriracha in the sauce to control the heat level.
- To make the recipe gluten-free, substitute panko breadcrumbs and flour with gluten-free alternatives.
- This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the crisp texture of the chicken.
