Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: A Crispy, Spicy, and Satisfying Meal Prep Marvel

Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

Introduction

If you’re looking for explosive flavor with minimal fuss, the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is the recipe to try. The signature spicy-sweet bang bang sauce transforms simple ingredients into an irresistible meal. This dish is perfect for anyone seeking a combination of crispy chicken, vibrant veggies, and creamy sauce—making it both a weeknight winner and a meal prep favorite.

Deliciously Unique Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

What makes the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl stand out is its bold, addictive flavor profile and the way it unites crunchy textures with silky sauce. Each bite features crisp-tender chicken, lightly pickled veggies, and warm rice, all brought together by the creamy, spicy sauce. This bowl is balanced enough for lunch and satisfying enough for dinner—sure to please both picky eaters and spice fans.

Crafting the Signature Bang Bang Sauce

The magic lies in the sauce: a blend of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, a touch of sriracha, and a squeeze of lime juice. It’s creamy with just the right kick—easy to whisk together while the chicken cooks. For even more depth, consider stirring in a dash of toasted sesame oil or a sprinkle of garlic powder. Let the sauce chill in the fridge for 10 minutes to let flavors meld.

Perfectly Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

Start by dredging chicken pieces in cornstarch or flour before pan-frying or air frying. This creates that signature crispy crust ready to soak up the bang bang sauce. For extra crunch and a lighter touch, swap in panko breadcrumbs. Be sure to cook chicken in a single layer—avoid crowding for the crispiest result.

Assembling Your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

Layer steamed jasmine rice (or your favorite grain) in each bowl. Top with the hot, crispy chicken, then drizzle generously with the bang bang sauce. Balance flavors and textures by adding crisp cucumber, shredded carrots, or cabbage slaw. Finish with a scattering of fresh herbs like cilantro or green onion and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a picture-perfect, delicious finish.

Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

Serve your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with a side of edamame or a fresh cucumber salad. For a heartier meal, double up on the veggies or add avocado slices. This dish also packs well for lunches—simply keep the sauce separate until ready to eat for the best texture.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 generous bowls. Each serving typically contains around 450 to 550 calories, depending on rice and toppings. It’s high in protein and can easily be made gluten-free or lighter with a few swaps.

Bang Bang Chicken Bowl (Recap)

The Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a flavor-packed, crowd-pleasing meal that combines crunch, spice, and freshness. It’s as satisfying to assemble as it is to eat, making it a go-to for quick dinners, meal prep, or impressing guests.

Ingredients

For the Bang Bang Sauce:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
1–2 tbsp sriracha (to taste)
1 tbsp lime juice
For the Chicken:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup cornstarch or all-purpose flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp oil, for frying
For Serving:
2 cups cooked jasmine or basmati rice
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded red or green cabbage
2 tbsp chopped cilantro or green onions
1 tbsp sesame seeds
Optional: Avocado, edamame, extra sriracha

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and stress-free meal planning.

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, whisk together all bang bang sauce ingredients. Taste and adjust spice, then refrigerate.
  2. Set up two shallow bowls—one with beaten egg, one with cornstarch or flour. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
  3. Dip chicken in egg, then coat in cornstarch/flour.
  4. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Fry chicken in batches until golden and cooked through, about 4–5 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
  5. To serve, divide rice between bowls. Top with crispy chicken, veggies, and herbs.
  6. Generously drizzle bang bang sauce over chicken. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and enjoy immediately!

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is a top pick for weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe to plan which days to prep, and generate smart shopping lists that combine ingredients from all your meals.

Planning Benefits:

  • Instantly calculates total ingredient quantities for the week
  • Sorts shopping lists by store section for speed and accuracy
  • Avoids buying duplicates and missing key items
  • Makes meal prep and busy weeks much easier

Pro tip: Schedule multiple recipes to see how ingredients overlap—so you buy only what you need and minimize waste. For example, doubling up on cilantro or limes across dishes makes it easy to use everything while enjoying flavor variety.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

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