Name: Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1/2 cup cornstarch or flour (for coating); 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 2-3 tbsp cooking oil (for frying or air frying); 2 cups cooked white or brown rice; 1 cup shredded lettuce or cabbage; 1/2 cup shredded carrots; 1/2 cup diced or sliced cucumbers; 2 green onions, chopped; 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional, for garnish); 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce; 1-2 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste); 1 tsp honey or sugar (optional, to taste)

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This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a flavor-packed, crave-worthy meal that combines crispy chicken bites with a creamy, spicy-sweet bang bang sauce, all served over a bed of fluffy rice and fresh veggies. I love how it’s both comforting and refreshing, with a perfect balance of heat, crunch, and creaminess in every bite. Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how easy this recipe is to throw together, especially when I’m craving something satisfying and a little spicy. The bang bang sauce is irresistibly creamy and has just the right amount of heat to make things exciting. It’s also super versatile—I can swap in different proteins or veggies depending on what I have on hand. This bowl is ideal for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or even a crowd-pleasing lunch.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces
Cornstarch or flour (for coating the chicken)
Salt and pepper
Garlic powder
Cooking oil (for frying or air frying)
Cooked white or brown rice
Shredded lettuce or cabbage
Shredded carrots
Diced cucumbers or sliced cucumbers
Green onions, chopped
Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

Mayonnaise
Sweet chili sauce
Sriracha
Honey or sugar (optional, to taste)

Directions

I start by tossing the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cornstarch until fully coated.
I heat oil in a skillet and fry the chicken until golden and crispy on the outside and cooked through inside. Alternatively, I sometimes air fry the chicken for a lighter option.
While the chicken cooks, I mix up the bang bang sauce by combining mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and a bit of honey in a bowl. I adjust the spice level depending on my mood.
Once the chicken is ready, I toss it in the bang bang sauce until it’s evenly coated.
I prepare the bowls by layering cooked rice, fresh shredded lettuce or cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers.
Then I pile on the bang bang chicken, sprinkle green onions and sesame seeds over the top, and serve immediately.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 4 servings. It takes approximately 10 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook, so I usually have it ready in about 30 minutes.

Variations

When I want to mix things up, I sometimes use shrimp or tofu instead of chicken. Cauliflower is another great plant-based option that tastes amazing with the bang bang sauce. I also switch out the rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice when I want something lower in carbs. If I’m craving extra crunch, I’ll add chopped peanuts or crispy wontons on top.

storage/reheating

I store any leftover chicken and veggies separately from the rice and sauce to keep everything fresh. The chicken can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I reheat it in the oven or air fryer to keep it crispy. The sauce should be stored in the fridge and stirred before using again. Assembled bowls are best eaten fresh, but I keep all components separate to assemble quickly when I want another bowl.

FAQs

How spicy is the bang bang sauce?

The spice level really depends on how much sriracha I add. I usually start with a little and adjust to my preference—it can be mild to medium-hot.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, I use cornstarch instead of flour and make sure the sweet chili sauce and other condiments are gluten-free.

What’s the best type of chicken to use?

I like using boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra juiciness, but chicken breast works great too if I want a leaner option.

Can I meal prep this dish?

Definitely. I cook the chicken and rice ahead of time and keep the sauce and veggies separate. I assemble fresh bowls in minutes throughout the week.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?

It can be! I tone down the spice in the sauce for kids, and they love the crispy chicken and creamy dressing.

Conclusion

This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is one of my go-to meals when I want something bold, satisfying, and simple to make. With crispy chicken, creamy heat, and refreshing veggies, it hits all the right notes in one bowl. It’s easy to customize and perfect for busy weeknights or prepping ahead. Once I made it the first time, it instantly became a staple in my kitchen.