If you’re craving something that bursts with vibrant flavors and textures, you’re going to love this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Spicy Mayo and Fresh Veggies Recipe. It’s a delightful mix of tender, perfectly seasoned chicken cubes tossed in a creamy, tangy, and gently spicy sauce, served over a colorful bed of fresh veggies and warm rice. Every bite is a satisfying balance of heat, sweetness, crunch, and creaminess that feels like a celebration in your mouth. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’s going to become one of your favorite go-to meals for weekday dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple yet essential ingredients come together to create layers of flavor, texture, and color that make this dish so memorable. From the creamy mayonnaise to the crisp veggies, every component plays a key role in delivering an irresistible bowl.
- Mayonnaise: Acts as the creamy base for the Bang Bang sauce, giving it that rich, smooth texture.
- Thai sweet chili sauce: Adds that perfect hint of sweetness with a slight kick that defines the Bang Bang flavor.
- Honey: Balances the heat and enhances the overall sweetness of the sauce.
- Sriracha: Provides a spicy punch that you can adjust to your personal heat preference.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cubed for easy cooking and perfect bite-sized pieces to soak up the sauce.
- Vegetable oil: Helps the chicken get a nice sear and keeps it juicy.
- Paprika: Adds color and a subtle smoky flavor to the chicken.
- Garlic powder: Delivers savory depth that complements the other seasonings.
- Kosher salt: Essential for enhancing all the flavors.
- Black pepper: Adds a touch of mild heat and complexity.
- Prepared white rice: Acts as the comforting, fluffy base to soak up all the delicious sauce.
- Red cabbage: Thinly sliced for a fresh, crunchy contrast in both taste and color.
- Carrot: Julienned for a natural sweetness and bright orange crunch.
- Cucumber: Thinly sliced, offering a cool, refreshing bite.
- Avocado: Creamy and buttery, it adds an indulgent texture balancing the spice.
- Fresh cilantro: Chopped to sprinkle on top, giving a fragrant, herbaceous finish.
- Sesame seeds: Adds a subtle nutty crunch as the perfect garnish.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Spicy Mayo and Fresh Veggies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce
Start by mixing the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, and Sriracha in a bowl until perfectly smooth and well combined. This sauce is the star of the recipe, bringing that creamy, sweet heat that coats each bite of chicken and ties the whole bowl together.
Step 2: Season and Cook the Chicken
Next, toss those chicken cubes in a blend of vegetable oil, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. This simple seasoning mix gives the chicken both flavor and that irresistible color once cooked. For cooking, air fry the chicken at 400°F for 11 to 12 minutes until it’s juicy inside and slightly crisp on the outside. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can also bake or pan-sear the chicken to get similar delicious results.
Step 3: Prepare the Fresh Veggies and Rice
While your chicken is cooking, prep the fresh vegetables by thinly slicing the red cabbage and cucumber, and julienning the carrots. Warm your prepared white rice, which will serve as the comforting base of the bowl and help mellow the spicy sauce.
Step 4: Assemble Your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Build your bowls by layering the warm rice at the bottom, followed by a colorful arrangement of red cabbage, carrots, cucumber, avocado slices, and cooked chicken cubes. Drizzle the Bang Bang sauce generously over the top, then finish with fresh cilantro and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. This vibrant, flavorful bowl looks almost too good to eat!
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Spicy Mayo and Fresh Veggies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro and toasted sesame seeds on your bowl right before serving to add bursts of herbaceous freshness and crunchy nuttiness. A wedge of lime on the side works beautifully too, adding a bright citrus lift that perks up every bite.
Side Dishes
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl holds its own as a full meal, but if you’d love to round things out, crisp cucumber salad or a light Asian slaw with a tangy dressing pairs wonderfully. A simple miso soup or steamed edamame also complements the flavors perfectly without overpowering the dish.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this bowl on a bed of leafy greens instead of rice to lighten things up. You might also layer ingredients in a mason jar for an on-the-go lunch or beautifully stack the veggies and chicken in a layered parfait style to wow guests visually.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover Bang Bang Chicken Bowl components separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Keeping the sauce and fresh veggies separate from the rice and chicken helps maintain the crispness and texture of each part.
Freezing
While freezing isn’t ideal for the fresh veggies or sauce, you can freeze the cooked chicken and rice separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken and rice gently in the microwave or on the stove until warmed through. Add the fresh veggies and sauce after reheating to keep their textures and flavors vibrant. If the sauce thickens, give it a quick stir and a little squeeze of lime or a splash of water to loosen it up.
FAQs
Can I make the Bang Bang sauce less spicy?
Absolutely! Simply reduce or omit the Sriracha in the sauce and add a little extra honey for sweetness. You can adjust to your spice tolerance without losing any of the creamy deliciousness.
What can I substitute for mayonnaise in this recipe?
If you prefer a lighter option, Greek yogurt can be a good substitute. It will change the texture slightly but still give that tangy creaminess that pairs well with the chili sauce.
Can I use other proteins besides chicken?
Definitely! Shrimp, tofu, or even thinly sliced beef work beautifully in this recipe. Just adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure everything is cooked perfectly.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, just double-check that your Thai sweet chili sauce and other condiments are gluten-free. Most brands offer gluten-free options, making this dish safe for gluten-sensitive diets.
How do I keep the veggies crisp when preparing ahead?
Store your sliced vegetables in separate airtight containers with a paper towel to absorb moisture. Keep them refrigerated and add them to the bowl just before serving for maximum crunch.
Final Thoughts
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Spicy Mayo and Fresh Veggies Recipe has quickly become a favorite for good reason — it’s easy to make, packed with incredible flavor, and wonderfully customizable. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a crowd, this bowl promises satisfaction in every bite. Give it a try soon and get ready to impress your taste buds!
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Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Spicy Mayo and Fresh Veggies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Description
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring crispy air-fried chicken tossed in a creamy, spicy Bang Bang sauce, served atop a bed of warm white rice with fresh red cabbage, carrots, cucumber, and avocado. Garnished with fresh cilantro and sesame seeds, this bowl offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1 ¼ cups (290 g) mayonnaise
- ⅔ cup (177 g) Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha, or more to taste
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Bowl Ingredients
- 4 cups (744 g) prepared white rice, warmed, divided
- 2 cups (140 g) red cabbage, thinly sliced, divided
- 1 large carrot, julienned, divided
- 1 medium cucumber, halved and sliced, divided
- 1 large avocado, thinly sliced, divided
- Fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, and Sriracha. Stir thoroughly until smooth and well mixed. Set aside to allow flavors to meld while you prepare the other components.
- Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add the cubed chicken breasts to the bowl and toss well to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Arrange the seasoned chicken cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 11-12 minutes, shaking or turning halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and has a crispy exterior.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the warmed white rice evenly among four bowls. Layer each bowl with an equal portion of red cabbage, julienned carrot, sliced cucumber, and avocado slices. Top each bowl with the crispy air-fried chicken.
- Add Final Touches: Spoon a generous amount of the prepared Bang Bang sauce over the top of each bowl. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added flavor and texture. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the amount of Sriracha in the sauce to control the desired spice level.
- For extra crispiness, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket when cooking the chicken.
- The sauce can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use brown rice or cauliflower rice as a healthier alternative to white rice if preferred.
- Fresh cilantro and sesame seeds enhance the flavor and presentation, but can be omitted if unavailable.
