Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a spicy, creamy, and totally craveable dish that delivers restaurant-style flavor at home. Crispy chicken bites are tossed in a sweet and spicy bang bang sauce and served over a bed of rice with crunchy veggies and a drizzle of extra sauce. It’s bold, satisfying, and incredibly easy to put together—perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this bowl combines crispy chicken, cool fresh veggies, and a creamy sauce with a kick. The bang bang sauce is the star—sweet, spicy, and tangy all at once. It’s easy to customize with my favorite toppings or sauces, and the whole meal comes together in under 30 minutes. Whether I’m looking for a quick weeknight dinner or prepping meals ahead for the week, this one never fails.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the chicken:
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Boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
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Cornstarch or flour (for coating)
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Salt
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Black pepper
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Garlic powder
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Oil (for frying or air frying)
For the bang bang sauce:
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Mayonnaise
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Sweet chili sauce
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Sriracha
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Honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
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Rice vinegar or lemon juice (optional, for tang)
For the bowl:
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Cooked white or brown rice
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Shredded lettuce or cabbage
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Cucumber, thinly sliced
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Carrot, shredded or julienned
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Green onions, sliced
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Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
directions
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I season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then coat it in cornstarch or flour.
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I fry the chicken pieces in a skillet with oil over medium-high heat until golden and crispy, about 6–8 minutes. I remove and drain them on a paper towel. (Alternatively, I air fry at 400°F/200°C for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway through.)
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In a small bowl, I mix mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and a bit of honey and vinegar until smooth.
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I toss the crispy chicken in the bang bang sauce until well coated.
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I assemble the bowls by layering rice, shredded lettuce, cucumbers, and carrots. I top it with the saucy chicken and finish with green onions and sesame seeds.
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I drizzle a little extra sauce on top, if I have any left.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 4 servings.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Variations
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I sometimes use shrimp instead of chicken for a seafood version.
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For a lower-carb bowl, I serve it over cauliflower rice or lettuce.
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I’ve added avocado, edamame, or pickled onions for extra flavor and texture.
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If I want it spicier, I double up on the sriracha or add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
storage/reheating
I store the chicken and sauce separately from the veggies and rice in airtight containers for up to 4 days. To reheat, I warm the chicken in the air fryer or oven to keep it crispy. Then I reassemble the bowl with fresh veggies and rice before serving.
FAQs
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?
Yes, I bake it at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway. I still get a nice crisp, especially if I spray it with a little oil.
Is bang bang sauce spicy?
It’s mildly spicy with a creamy sweetness. I adjust the sriracha depending on how much heat I want.
Can I make this sauce dairy-free?
Yes, I use a dairy-free mayo and the rest of the ingredients are naturally dairy-free.
What rice works best?
I like jasmine or short-grain white rice for a soft base, but brown rice or quinoa work just as well.
Can I meal prep this?
Definitely. I portion everything into containers, keep the sauce on the side, and drizzle it just before eating to keep everything fresh.
Conclusion
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is one of my favorite easy meals when I want something spicy, creamy, and totally satisfying. With crispy chicken, fresh veggies, and that signature sauce, it hits every flavor and texture I crave. Whether I’m cooking for one or prepping meals for the week, this bowl never gets old.
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet or Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a quick and flavorful dish featuring crispy chicken bites tossed in creamy, spicy bang bang sauce, served over rice with fresh veggies. It’s bold, satisfying, and perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
- For the chicken:
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch or flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2–3 tbsp oil (for frying, or spray if air frying)
- For the bang bang sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1–2 tbsp sriracha
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
- 1 tsp rice vinegar or lemon juice (optional)
- For the bowl:
- 3 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 cup shredded lettuce or cabbage
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, shredded or julienned
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Coat in cornstarch or flour.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Fry chicken for 6–8 minutes until golden and crispy, then drain on paper towels. (Alternatively, air fry at 400°F/200°C for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway.)
- In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and vinegar until smooth.
- Toss crispy chicken in sauce until well coated.
- Assemble bowls with rice, lettuce or cabbage, cucumber, and carrot. Top with saucy chicken.
- Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and extra sauce if desired.
Notes
- Swap chicken for shrimp for a seafood version.
- Serve over cauliflower rice or lettuce for a low-carb option.
- Add avocado, edamame, or pickled onions for extra flavor.
- Double the sriracha or add chili flakes for more heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg