Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Introduction
The Bang Bang Chicken Bowl delivers a bold punch of flavor with tender, crispy chicken tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce—all served over a bed of fresh veggies and rice. It’s the ultimate weeknight dish for anyone craving takeout-style excitement with the convenience of home cooking. Best of all, this bowl-style meal is easy to customize and perfect for meal planning.
Why You’ll Love Bang Bang Chicken Bowls
This recipe stands out for its irresistible combination of textures and tastes. The chicken is satisfyingly crispy, while the signature “bang bang” sauce adds a creamy, sweet-heat kick. Paired with crunchy cucumbers, shredded carrots, and fluffy rice, it’s a balanced meal that pleases both spice lovers and comfort-food fans alike.
Building Your Flavorful Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Begin with quality chicken breast or thighs, lightly breaded and cooked until golden. While the chicken cools, whisk together the Bang Bang sauce using mayo, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha for that perfect harmony of creamy, tangy, and spicy. For the bowl base, steamed rice is classic, but cauliflower rice works for a lighter option. Garnish generously with fresh veggies for crunch and color.
Assembling Your Bang Bang Chicken Bowls
Assemble each bowl by layering rice, arranging your choice of colorful veggies, and topping with crispy chicken. Drizzle with plenty of homemade Bang Bang sauce, then sprinkle with sesame seeds and fresh scallions for a professional finish. Serve immediately for the crispiest texture, or prep components in advance for a speedy weeknight assembly.
Serving Suggestions for a Crowd-Pleasing Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Serve with extra sauce on the side for dipping, or add sliced avocado for creaminess. For extra flair, a wedge of lime, a sprinkle of cilantro, or pickled ginger make fantastic toppings. Pair with a refreshing iced tea or sparkling water to balance the heat.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields about 4 hearty Bang Bang Chicken Bowls. Each serving averages 500–550 calories, depending on your choice of base and toppings. Packed with protein and veggies, it’s a balanced option for lunch or dinner.
Bang Bang Chicken Bowls (Recap)
Bang Bang Chicken Bowls marry crispy, saucy chicken with fresh veggies and rice for a meal that’s both satisfying and versatile. Their balanced flavors and textures make them a surefire hit for family dinners or meal prepping.
Ingredients
💡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 streamlined meal planning.
Instructions
- Prep Chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with buttermilk. Marinate for 10–15 minutes.
- Breading: In a shallow bowl, whisk together cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. Remove chicken from marinade, allow excess to drip off, and dredge in flour mixture until well coated.
- Cook Chicken: Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken pieces in batches until golden and cooked through (about 3–4 minutes per side). Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate.
- Make Sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust sriracha to desired spice level.
- Assemble Bowls: Divide cooked rice among bowls. Top each with carrots, cucumbers, edamame, and crispy chicken.
- Finish: Drizzle Bang Bang sauce over chicken and garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and other desired toppings.
- Serve: Serve immediately for best texture, or store components separately for fresh assembly throughout the week.
Weekly Meal Planning
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl recipe is an excellent candidate for meal prepping and weekly planning. Save and schedule this recipe to slot it into your week and generate smart, consolidated shopping lists that ensure you buy exactly what you need.
Planning Benefits:
- Automatically tallies total ingredient amounts across multiple planned recipes
- Organizes your grocery list by store sections for efficient shopping
- Prevents duplicate purchases and helps you avoid missing items
- Makes preparing weekday meals fast, organized, and stress-free
Pro tip: Schedule several recipes at once to streamline your shopping and use up ingredients—For example, plan a stir fry the same week as Bang Bang Chicken Bowls to maximize fresh veggie use and minimize food waste.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes