Spicy, creamy Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl—your next go-to for a satisfying weeknight dinner or meal prep. Ready in minutes with bold flavors!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl shines thanks to its accessible, everyday ingredients that seriously deliver on flavor. Each one adds a special “pop”—from juicy chicken to crisp veggies and, of course, that irresistible sauce.
- Chicken breasts: Tender, protein-packed, and ready to soak up all that bold bang bang sauce magic.
- Salt and pepper: Simple seasoning, just enough to bring out the natural flavors of the chicken.
- Olive oil: Keeps the chicken juicy and helps it brown beautifully in the skillet.
- Cooked white or jasmine rice: A fluffy base that absorbs sauce and balances out spicy notes—have it ready before you start!
- Shredded carrots: Bring sweet crunchiness plus a burst of orange color to each bite.
- Cucumber, sliced: Adds fresh, cooling crunch and a lovely green hue.
- Green onions, sliced: For an oniony bite and a pretty garnish—a classic rice bowl topping.
- Cilantro leaves: A handful of these brightens everything with herby fragrance.
- Mayonnaise (for the sauce): The creamy base that lets spicy and tangy flavors shine.
- Sweet chili sauce (for the sauce): The sweet-spicy backbone that defines classic bang bang flavor.
- Sriracha (for the sauce): Adds customizable heat—taste as you go for your preferred kick.
- Honey (for the sauce): Just a hint, for that irresistibly sticky, glossy finish.
- Lime juice (for the sauce): Brightens up the whole bowl with a touch of citrus tang.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl
Step 1: Season and Prep the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces for quick, even cooking. Generously season with salt and pepper to make sure each morsel of chicken is flavorful from the inside out—this initial seasoning is essential for a great Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl foundation!
Step 2: Whisk Up the Bang Bang Sauce
In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice. Whisk it together until smooth and creamy—the aroma alone should make your mouth water! This craveable sauce gives the Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl its signature flavor, so feel free to taste and adjust the spice as you mix.
Step 3: Sauté the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Once it’s shimmering, add your chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. The high heat locks in juiciness and gives the chicken gorgeous edges.
Step 4: Toss Chicken with Sauce
Remove the cooked chicken from the heat and immediately toss it with about three tablespoons of your freshly made bang bang sauce. The residual heat helps the sauce cling perfectly, transforming each bite into something special.
Step 5: Assemble the Bowls
Time for the fun part—assembly! Divide your cooked rice among four bowls. Layer on the saucy chicken, then artistically arrange the shredded carrots, cucumber slices, green onions, and cilantro. Each scoop should look as vibrant as it tastes, so don’t be shy with those veggies.
Step 6: Final Drizzle and Serve
Drizzle the remaining sauce over each bowl for maximum flavor. Serve your Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl warm, or let it cool to room temp—either way, it’s outrageously good.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl
Garnishes
Garnishes really turn your Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl into a restaurant-level feast. I love showering each bowl with extra cilantro, a handful of crunchy sesame seeds, or even a squeeze of lime for added zing. A light sprinkle of chili flakes is perfect if you want to up the heat and drama when serving.
Side Dishes
This bowl is a star on its own, but you can pair it with some simple sides to stretch your meal or mix up textures. Think edamame tossed with sea salt, a cozy cup of miso soup, or a crisp Asian-style slaw. Each complements the dynamic flavors of your Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl while keeping things fresh and light.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or family dinners, serve the Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl buffet-style: lay out all the toppings and let everyone customize their own bowl—it’s interactive and fun! If you’re feeling fancy, assemble mini versions in jars or cups for grab-and-go lunches or a picnic-ready treat that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl components store beautifully. Definitely keep the sauce on the side, then package the chicken, rice, and veggies in airtight containers in the fridge—they’ll stay fresh for up to three days. This way, you can assemble a fresh, balanced bowl whenever hunger hits.
Freezing
The cooked chicken and plain rice freeze well for meal-prepping—just portion them separately and label the containers. Wait to add fresh veggies and sauce until after thawing, so everything tastes crisp and lively when you’re ready to enjoy another Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl straight from your freezer.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the chicken and rice gently in the microwave or a skillet with a splash of water to prevent dryness. Add the fresh veggies and a generous drizzle of sauce just before serving, so all the textures and flavors pop as if just made.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking fresh?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a shortcut that works wonders here. Just shred it, warm it briefly, and toss with the bang bang sauce for an impressively quick Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl.
How spicy is the bang bang sauce?
The sauce is pleasantly spicy, but you control the heat! Adjust the amount of sriracha to make it as mild or fiery as you like. Start slow if you’re serving spice-sensitive friends—extra sriracha can always go on the side.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, with a quick swap: make sure your sweet chili sauce and sriracha are gluten-free brands, and serve everything over a gluten-free rice variety. The Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl is really customizable for all diets!
What other veggies can I use?
This bowl loves variety! Try thinly sliced bell peppers, edamame, radish, purple cabbage, or avocado slices for extra color and crunch. Use what’s seasonal or in your fridge—it’s hard to go wrong.
Do I have to use chicken breast, or can I switch it up?
Chicken breast keeps things lean, but thigh meat works beautifully for added juiciness. You can even make a vegetarian Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl with crispy tofu or roasted chickpeas—the sauce is the real star!
Final Thoughts
Seriously, there’s just something magical about the Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl—the combination of creamy, spicy sauce, fresh veggies, and satisfying rice never gets old. Give it a try and see how it transforms your dinner routine into something downright craveable. I promise, after one bowl, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Spicy, creamy Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl—your next go-to for a satisfying weeknight dinner or meal prep. Ready in minutes with bold flavors!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups cooked white or jasmine rice
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust for spice preference)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, ensuring each piece is evenly coated for maximum flavor.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice until smooth. Set aside for later.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Toss Chicken with Sauce: Remove the skillet from the heat and immediately toss the hot chicken with about 3 tablespoons of the prepared bang bang sauce, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
- Assemble the Rice Bowls: Divide the cooked rice among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with the sauced chicken, then arrange shredded carrots, cucumber slices, green onions, and cilantro leaves on top.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle the remaining bang bang sauce over the bowls. Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crunch, add chopped roasted peanuts as a topping.
- Substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise in the sauce for a lighter version.
- Feel free to swap in brown rice or quinoa for a whole-grain twist.
- Adjust sriracha and sweet chili sauce in the bang bang sauce to control spice level.
- The bowls are also delicious cold, making great meal-prep lunches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg