Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

Introduction

Craving a meal that’s packed with bold flavor but comes together in minutes? The Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is your answer—a satisfying combination of crispy chicken bites, tangy-spicy sauce, and fresh vegetables, all layered over fluffy rice. This dish is a huge crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or meal prep because it’s simple, customizable, and absolutely delicious.

Why the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is an Instant Favorite

What really sets the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl apart is its irresistible sauce—a creamy blend of sweet, savory, and spicy that perfectly coats tender chicken. The variety of textures, from crunchy veggies to juicy meat, makes every bite an explosion of flavor and satisfaction.

Mastering the Bang Bang Sauce

The hallmark of this dish is its iconic sauce: mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, a touch of sriracha for heat, and a hint of honey for balance. Whisking it together takes less than a minute, and it transforms simple chicken and rice into a restaurant-worthy meal.

How to Achieve Crispy Chicken for Your Bowl

For perfect Bang Bang Chicken, bite-sized pieces are lightly coated in cornstarch or flour, then quickly pan-fried until golden and crunchy. This method ensures a crispy exterior that stands up even after the sauce is added. If you’re looking for a lighter version, air frying or baking also works great—just be sure to cook until the chicken is perfectly crisp.

Assembly: Build Your Best Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

Start with a bed of warm cooked rice—white, brown, or even cauliflower. Top with the crispy chicken, spoon on generous amounts of bang bang sauce, and load up on fresh veggies like shredded lettuce, sliced cucumbers, and shredded carrots. Finish with green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a vibrant presentation.

Serving Suggestions for the Ultimate Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

A side of steamed edamame or a crisp Asian-inspired slaw pairs perfectly with this flavorful bowl. Serve with extra sauce on the side for drizzling or dipping, and offer lime wedges for a fresh citrusy pop. Whether enjoyed hot or cold, these bowls make a fantastic lunch, dinner, or meal prep option.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 hearty bang bang chicken bowls. Each serving delivers around 450–500 calories, depending on sauce quantity and toppings—so it’s a filling yet balanced meal that can be customized to fit your preferences.

Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recap

With its crispy chicken, craveable sauce, and customizable toppings, this bowl delivers restaurant-style taste right at home. Meal preppers and families alike love how quick, flavorful, and crowd-friendly this recipe is.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate a shopping list with all the ingredients, sorted by department. It simplifies your grocery run and makes efficient meal planning a breeze.

Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with buttermilk. Let sit 10–15 minutes while you assemble other ingredients.
2. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until smooth. Set aside.
3. Coat the chicken: In a separate bowl, blend cornstarch (or flour), salt, and pepper. Remove chicken from marinade, shake off excess liquid, and toss pieces in the coating until evenly covered.
4. Cook the chicken: For frying: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches until golden and cooked through, ~3–4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
   For air frying/baking: Arrange coated chicken on a greased tray, spray lightly with oil, and bake/air fry at 400°F for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
5. Assemble bowls: Divide rice among bowls. Top with lettuce, cucumber, carrots, and crispy chicken. Drizzle generously with bang bang sauce. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and lime wedges.
6. Serve immediately or store components separately for meal prep.

Weekly Meal Planning

The Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a fantastic choice for weekly meal prep. Save and schedule the recipe so CookifyAI can add it to your meal plan and create a comprehensive shopping list—making your week smooth and organized.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically aggregates ingredients for all planned meals so you buy just what you need
– Groups items by store section for rapid shopping
– Reduces food waste by avoiding duplicate purchases
– Helps you visualize and prep meals with ease

Pro tip: Use CookifyAI’s scheduling to spot overlapping ingredients—such as green onions for this recipe and others in your plan—to further streamline your shopping and prep!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Enjoy the bold, addictive flavors of Bang Bang Chicken Bowls—easy enough for any night, impressive enough to serve guests!