Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: A Beginner-Friendly Flavor Bomb Recipe

Introduction

The Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a vibrant and flavorful meal that’s perfect for beginners. With tender chicken tossed in a spicy, creamy sauce and fresh veggies over rice, it’s a delicious bowl of comfort and crunch in every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 3 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1–2 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp honey (optional)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
• Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Step 2: Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and fully cooked, about 6–8 minutes.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and garlic to make the Bang Bang sauce.
4. Step 4: Drizzle half of the sauce over the cooked chicken and toss to coat.
5. Step 5: Assemble bowls with rice as the base. Top with chicken, carrots, cucumber, red cabbage, and green onions.
6. Step 6: Drizzle remaining Bang Bang sauce over the top.
7. Step 7: Garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or breasts for a leaner option.
• Adjust sriracha according to your spice preference to keep it mild or fiery.
• Swap rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice for a different texture or low-carb alternative.
• Add avocado slices or edamame for extra creaminess and protein.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the Bang Bang sauce separate if possible to prevent sogginess. Reheat the chicken and rice gently in the microwave and add fresh veggies before serving to maintain crunch.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the Bang Bang sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce can be made up to two days in advance and stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Just give it a quick stir before using.

What can I use if I don’t have sweet chili sauce?

You can substitute with a combination of honey and chili garlic sauce or a mix of ketchup and hot sauce for a similar sweet and spicy flavor.

Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: A Beginner-Friendly Flavor Bomb Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 59 reviews

This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a beginner-friendly, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken tossed in a spicy-sweet Bang Bang sauce, served over a bed of rice and fresh vegetables. It’s a colorful, satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner, combining crispy chicken, crunchy veggies, and a creamy, tangy sauce with a kick.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 3 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1–2 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp honey (optional)
• 1 clove garlic, minced

For the Bowl:

• 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
• Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Heat the skillet: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
2. Cook the chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Add to the hot skillet and cook for about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
3. Make Bang Bang sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey (if using), and minced garlic until smooth and well combined.
4. Toss chicken in sauce: Drizzle half of the Bang Bang sauce over the cooked chicken in the skillet and toss gently to coat all pieces evenly.
5. Assemble the bowls: Start by placing cooked rice at the bottom of each bowl as the base. Then layer the coated chicken, shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, shredded red cabbage, and sliced green onions on top.
6. Add finishing sauce: Drizzle the remaining Bang Bang sauce over the assembled bowls to add extra flavor and creaminess.
7. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro leaves if desired. Serve immediately while warm for the best experience.

Notes

• Use either white or brown rice depending on your preference and dietary needs.
• Adjust sriracha quantity in the Bang Bang sauce to control the heat level.
• Honey is optional but adds a nice touch of sweetness to balance the sauce.
• Chicken thighs offer more flavor and moisture, while chicken breasts keep it leaner.
• Garnishes like sesame seeds and cilantro add texture and fresh aroma.
• This recipe can be doubled easily for meal prep or feeding a crowd.

Keywords: Bang Bang Chicken, chicken bowl, spicy chicken recipe, easy dinner, quick chicken bowl, creamy sauce chicken, beginner-friendly recipe