If you’re craving a meal that bursts with bold flavors and satisfying textures, the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe is here to brighten your dinner table. This dish brings together tender, spice-kissed chicken, crunchy fresh veggies, and a creamy, tangy bang bang sauce that adds just the right kick. It’s more than just a bowl of food—it’s a celebration of vibrant colors and mouthwatering tastes that come together effortlessly for a wholesome, craveable meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe starts with simple, fresh ingredients that each play a key role. From the perfectly seasoned chicken to the crisp vegetables and the irresistibly creamy sauce, every component is essential for that well-rounded, flavorful experience.
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces for quick, even cooking and easy eating.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Adds richness and helps achieve a golden sear on the chicken.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Brings depth and a subtle savory note.
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika: Provides smokiness and a bit of warmth.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors.
- 1 cup cooked white rice (or brown rice): The comforting base that soaks up all the delicious sauce.
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage: Offers a crisp texture and vibrant purple hue.
- 1 cup shredded carrots: Adds sweetness and a bright pop of color.
- 1/2 cup chopped cucumber: Brings refreshing crunch.
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions: Delivers a mild onion bite on top.
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds: Provides nuttiness and a little crunch.
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional): Adds a fragrant, herbaceous note if you love a fresh finish.
- For the bang bang sauce: 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce, 1 tablespoon sriracha, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey—all blended to create that creamy, spicy, and sweet signature sauce.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Chicken to Perfection
Start by heating the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. While it warms, season your chicken pieces generously with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until each piece turns a beautiful golden brown and is cooked through. This step locks in flavor and ensures juicy chicken bites with lots of character.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Bang Bang Sauce
While your chicken is cooking, mix together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and honey in a small bowl. This sauce is truly the soul of the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe, balancing creamy, spicy, tangy, and sweet notes into one irresistible drizzle. Give it a good whisk so it’s silky smooth and ready to elevate every bite.
Step 3: Assemble the Bowl Layers
Start layering your bowl with a base of warm cooked rice. Next, add the shredded red cabbage and carrots, along with the chopped cucumber for a crisp, refreshing contrast. Top with the perfectly cooked chicken, then generously drizzle the bang bang sauce over everything. This assembly is where those textures and flavors come together in perfect harmony.
Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches
Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the top to add bursts of freshness and crunch. If you’re a cilantro fan, scatter some over for a fragrant punch that lifts the entire dish. These final touches not only make your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe look stunning but also add layers of flavor and texture that make each forkful exciting.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe
Garnishes
Delight your diners by garnishing with extra sesame seeds and green onions for crunch and color. A wedge of lime on the side can add zesty brightness if you want to tweak the acidity just before eating. Fresh cilantro leaves bring an herbal freshness that feels like sunshine in every bite.
Side Dishes
This bowl is generous on its own but pairs beautifully with light, complementary sides like a simple cucumber salad or steamed edamame. For something heartier, crispy spring rolls or dumplings help create an Asian-inspired feast full of variety and textures everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
For a playful twist, serve the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe in colorful reusable bowls or layered mason jars—perfect for meal prep or impressing guests. You could also turn it into lettuce wraps by swapping the rice and veggies into crisp lettuce leaves, giving you a fresh, handheld option that’s fun and low-carb.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store the chicken and sauce separately from the rice and veggies in airtight containers. This keeps everything tasting fresh and prevents the sauce from making other ingredients soggy. Most leftovers stay delightful for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Freezing
While the cooked chicken and sauce freeze well, the fresh vegetables and rice don’t hold up as nicely frozen. For best results, freeze just the cooked and seasoned chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, then thaw and reassemble fresh ingredients when ready to eat.
Reheating
Gently reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Add freshly cut veggies and cold rice separately or at room temperature to retain their crunch and vibrant texture. Re-drape with your bang bang sauce and garnishes right before serving for that fresh-from-the-kitchen taste all over again.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that saves time while still delivering delicious flavor. Just shred or chop it and toss with the bang bang sauce and veggies.
How spicy is the bang bang sauce and can I adjust it?
The sauce has a mild to medium spicy kick thanks to the sriracha, but you can easily tailor the heat to your taste by adding more or less sriracha. If you prefer it milder, start with less and add gradually.
Can I substitute ingredients to make this gluten-free?
Yes! Be sure to choose gluten-free versions of mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce, and use rice or cauliflower rice as the base. This recipe naturally leans gluten-free with just those minor adjustments.
What sides complement the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe best?
Light sides like cucumber salad, steamed veggies, or edamame are great for balancing the richness of the chicken bowl. If you want a fuller meal, spring rolls or dumplings are excellent companions.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Definitely! This recipe holds up well in the fridge for a few days. Just keep the sauce separate until ready to eat to maintain the fresh textures of the veggies and rice.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about making a Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe that feels both nourishing and exciting to eat. It combines fresh vegetables, juicy chicken, and that luscious bang bang sauce to create a meal that’s bursting with flavor and fun to assemble. Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or a made-ahead lunch, this recipe is sure to become a cherished favorite in your kitchen. Go ahead and give it a try—you’re going to love every bite!
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: Gluten Free
Description
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a vibrant and flavorful Asian-inspired meal that’s perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner. Featuring tender, seasoned chicken cooked to golden perfection and drizzled with a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce, it’s served over a bed of fluffy rice and fresh, crunchy vegetables. Topped with sesame seeds, green onions, and fresh cilantro, this bowl combines spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors for a balanced and delicious dish that’s both easy to prepare and gluten-free when made with appropriate ingredients.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 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
Vegetables and Rice
- 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)
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken in the skillet for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and honey in a small bowl until smooth and well combined. Adjust the sriracha to your preferred spice level.
- Assemble the Bowls: In serving bowls, layer the cooked rice as the base. Top with shredded red cabbage, shredded carrots, chopped cucumber, and the cooked chicken pieces.
- Finish Toppings and Serve: Drizzle the prepared bang bang sauce generously over the assembled bowls. Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and chopped fresh cilantro if using. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors and textures.
Notes
- For a shortcut, use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking from scratch.
- Swap white or brown rice for cauliflower rice for a lower-carb alternative.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha in the sauce to match your preferred spice tolerance.
