If you’re craving something crunchy, creamy, spicy, and irresistibly fresh, Bang Bang Chicken Bowls just might be your new obsession. Imagine juicy chicken with an addictive golden crust, fluffy rice, and vibrant veggies all swirled together in a zippy, sweet-and-spicy Bang Bang sauce. It’s the kind of meal that hits every note: satisfying crunch, luscious avocado, zesty sriracha, and a final flourish of green onion and sesame seeds. With every bite, these bowls deliver pure joy—whether you need a speedy weeknight fix or something impressive for friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Bang Bang Chicken Bowls lies in their simple, colorful lineup of ingredients. Every component plays its part, from the crispy chicken to the cool, crisp veggies and that all-important, flavor-packed sauce. Let’s break it all down:
- Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces for speedy cooking and maximum crispiness.
- Cornstarch: Coats the chicken, transforming it into tender, golden nuggets after a quick pan-fry.
- Vegetable oil: Perfect for high-heat cooking, ensuring your chicken gets that deep golden crust.
- White or brown rice: The ideal fluffy foundation for your bowl; either option works depending on your favorite flavor and texture.
- Shredded lettuce or cabbage: Adds crunch and a refreshing bite that balances the creamy sauce and savory chicken.
- Shredded carrots: Sweet and crisp, they brighten up every forkful and add gorgeous color.
- Avocado: Sliced for extra creaminess—a dreamy contrast to the tangy, spicy dressing.
- Green onions: Thinly sliced for a burst of fresh flavor and a pop of green on top.
- Sesame seeds: The final garnish, delivering nutty notes and a touch of extra crunch.
- Mayonnaise: The base of the signature Bang Bang sauce, giving it a creamy, velvety texture.
- Sweet chili sauce: Adds an irresistible balance of sweetness and gentle heat.
- Sriracha: Kicks up the spice; you can adjust the amount to suit your preferred heat level.
- Honey: A little drizzle for just the right touch of sweetness.
- Rice vinegar: Brings everything together with a mild, tangy note.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bowls
Step 1: Coat the Chicken
Start by tossing your chicken pieces with cornstarch in a large bowl. This simple coating is the secret to that signature crunch, and it grips all the sauce and flavor later on. Give each piece a good shake so it’s evenly coated and ready to crisp up in the pan.
Step 2: Cook Until Golden
Heat your vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Once it’s shimmering, add the coated chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes. Flip the pieces occasionally so they turn a beautiful golden color on all sides and cook through. When they’re done, set them aside—resist sneaking a bite!
Step 3: Whisk Up the Bang Bang Sauce
While your chicken rests, grab a small bowl and whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar. The result is creamy, tangy, sweet, and spicy—a sauce so good you’ll want to put it on everything. Taste and adjust the sriracha for your ideal level of heat.
Step 4: Assemble the Bowls
Now comes the fun part. In each serving bowl, layer a scoop of fluffy rice, a handful of lettuce or cabbage, and a sprinkle of shredded carrots. Next, arrange slices of creamy avocado and pile that golden chicken right on top. Generously drizzle with your homemade Bang Bang sauce.
Step 5: Finish with Garnishes
Scatter sliced green onions and a generous pinch of sesame seeds over each bowl. This last step brings bursts of flavor, crunch, and the final eye-catching detail. Serve your Bang Bang Chicken Bowls immediately for maximum texture and flavor.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Bowls
Garnishes
For the ultimate finish, top your Bang Bang Chicken Bowls with fresh green onions and a shower of sesame seeds. If you love a little extra zing, try adding fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, or even thinly sliced red chili for a bolder look and flavor.
Side Dishes
Bang Bang Chicken Bowls are a complete meal on their own, but if you’d like to stretch the experience, serve them alongside simple steamed edamame, a light cucumber salad, or miso soup. These sides play up the Asian-inspired flavors without stealing the spotlight.
Creative Ways to Present
Make dinner extra special by setting up a DIY bowl bar, letting everyone assemble their own Bang Bang Chicken Bowls with extra veggies and sauces. Or, try serving the ingredients in lettuce wraps for a playful, bite-sized party option. Kids and adults alike will love customizing their bowls (or wraps) to perfection!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
For any leftover Bang Bang Chicken Bowls, keep the components separate to maintain the best taste and texture. Store the cooked chicken, rice, vegetables, and sauce each in airtight containers in the fridge. This way, reheating and assembling later is blissfully simple.
Freezing
The crispy chicken holds up surprisingly well in the freezer! Freeze it on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. Rice can also be frozen in individual portions. Just be sure not to freeze fresh veggies or avocado; add those fresh when you reassemble your bowls.
Reheating
Reheat chicken and rice separately in the microwave or in a skillet until warm. For maximum crispiness, a quick reheat in the oven or air fryer works wonders. Bring everything together with fresh veggies, avocado, and a generous drizzle of sauce for that just-made taste.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will give your Bang Bang Chicken Bowls an even juicier bite and richer flavor. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces and cook as directed. They’re a fantastic alternative and add a bit more tenderness.
What’s the best substitute for mayonnaise in the sauce?
If you’re looking to lighten things up, swap mayo for Greek yogurt or a vegan mayo alternative. You’ll keep the creamy texture but with a slightly tangier flavor—perfect for these bowls.
Are Bang Bang Chicken Bowls gluten-free?
This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free soy sauce in the chili sauce (double-check your labels). The cornstarch and rice are both suitable, just keep an eye on bottled ingredients for hidden gluten.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Definitely! Swap out the chicken for cauliflower florets. Coat and cook them just as you would the chicken, and you’ll have a crunchy, saucy vegetarian version of Bang Bang Chicken Bowls everyone will rave about.
How spicy is the bang bang sauce?
The Bang Bang sauce is gently spicy thanks to the sriracha, but you control the heat. Simply use less sriracha for a milder kick or more for extra fire. Taste as you mix to find your perfect spice level!
Final Thoughts
Bang Bang Chicken Bowls are the kind of crave-worthy meal that turns a simple night at home into something memorable. Bursting with color, crunch, and bold flavors, they’re a feast for the senses and a joy to prepare. So grab your favorite bowl and treat yourself—you won’t regret adding this hit to your dinner rotation!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Bowls Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 bowls
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Bang Bang Chicken Bowls are a delicious and easy meal featuring crispy chicken coated in a spicy mayo sauce, served over rice and fresh veggies.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the Bowls:
- 4 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 2 cups shredded lettuce or cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds for garnish
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Instructions
- Coat Chicken: Toss chicken pieces with cornstarch until coated.
- Cook Chicken: Cook coated chicken in oil until golden and cooked through.
- Prepare Sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar.
- Assemble Bowls: Layer rice, lettuce, carrots, avocado, and chicken. Drizzle with sauce and top with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- You can use chicken thighs for a juicier result.
- Try cauliflower for a vegetarian option.
- Adjust sriracha for desired heat level.
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