This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a delicious, fresh, and flavorful meal that combines seasoned chicken, a creamy, spicy sauce, and crunchy vegetables, all served over rice. Inspired by the popular Bang Bang Chicken Skewers, this recipe features air-fried chicken tossed in Bang Bang sauce, garnished with avocado, cilantro, and sesame seeds for an extra burst of freshness and texture. It’s a fun and satisfying dish perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep!
Why Make This Recipe
Reasons to Try It
- Quick & Easy: With a prep time of just 10 minutes and a cook time of 30 minutes, this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl comes together effortlessly, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
- Deliciously Spicy & Sweet: The Bang Bang sauce is both sweet and spicy, adding rich umami flavors to the chicken and rice. The perfect balance of flavors makes this dish irresistible.
- Customizable: With fresh veggies and toppings like red cabbage, carrots, and avocado, you can easily adapt this recipe to suit your preferences. Add more veggies or swap out rice for a grain of your choice like quinoa or brown rice.
- Air Fryer Friendly: This recipe uses the air fryer for crispy chicken without the hassle of deep frying. You can also use a skillet for those who prefer stovetop cooking.
- Nutrient-Packed: Packed with protein from the chicken, healthy fats from avocado, and fiber from vegetables, this meal is as nutritious as it is delicious.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bowls
This recipe is straightforward and full of flavor. Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce:
- In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey, and Sriracha. Stir well and set aside. This sauce is the star of the dish, bringing both heat and sweetness.
- Season the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, mix vegetable oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken breast cubes and toss them to coat evenly.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Air Fryer Instructions: Place the chicken cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 11-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Skillet Instructions: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken cubes and cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Coat the Chicken:
- Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Add ½ cup of the Bang Bang sauce and toss to coat the chicken in the creamy sauce.
- Assemble the Bowls:
- Divide the rice evenly into four bowls.
- Top each with red cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, and avocado slices.
- Add the coated Bang Bang chicken to each bowl.
- Drizzle with the remaining Bang Bang sauce and garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve the bowls immediately and enjoy the sweet and spicy flavors of your homemade Bang Bang Chicken Bowl.
Ingredients
- Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1 ¼ cups mayonnaise
- ⅔ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha (or more for extra heat)
- Chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- For the Bowls:
- 4 cups prepared white rice (or brown rice)
- 2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 large carrot, julienned
- 1 medium cucumber, halved and sliced
- 1 large avocado, thinly sliced
- Fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Directions
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce:
- Stir together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey, and Sriracha. Set aside.
- Season the Chicken:
- Combine vegetable oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Toss the chicken cubes in the seasoning.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Air fryer: Air fry at 400°F for 11-12 minutes. Flip halfway through.
- Skillet: Cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Coat with Sauce:
- Toss the cooked chicken in the reserved Bang Bang sauce.
- Assemble the Bowls:
- Divide the rice into bowls. Top with cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, and avocado. Add the Bang Bang chicken and drizzle with remaining sauce. Garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds.
- Serve & Enjoy:
- Serve immediately, and enjoy!
How to Store
- Refrigerating:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For the best texture, store the sauce separately from the chicken and veggies.
- Reheating:
- Reheat the chicken and rice in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a little extra sauce or water if the rice has dried out.
- Freezing:
- You can freeze the Bang Bang chicken and sauce for up to 1 month. Reheat in a pan or microwave and assemble the bowl fresh with rice and veggies.
Tips to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bowls Even Better
- Make it Spicy: Adjust the Sriracha amount to make the dish as spicy as you like.
- Vegetable Variety: Add extra veggies like bell peppers, snap peas, or spinach for added crunch and flavor.
- Rice Options: Swap white rice for brown rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.
Variations
- Vegetarian Version: Swap the chicken for tofu or tempeh, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth in the sauce for a plant-based version.
- For Extra Crunch: Add fried onions or crispy chickpeas on top for some extra texture.
- Heat Level: Add more Sriracha or include fresh chopped chilies if you love a spicy kick.
FAQs
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
- Yes! Chicken thighs will add extra juiciness and flavor to the dish. Just ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
- Yes! You can prepare the Bang Bang sauce and chicken ahead of time. Just store them separately in the fridge and assemble the bowls when ready to serve.
- What can I serve with Bang Bang Chicken Bowls?
- Serve with a side of crispy garlic bread, a simple side salad, or some roasted vegetables.
Enjoy this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with its crispy chicken, sweet and spicy sauce, and fresh, crunchy veggies for a meal that’s bursting with flavor!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
A delicious bowl featuring seasoned chicken, a creamy spicy Bang Bang sauce, and crunchy vegetables served over rice.
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups mayonnaise
- ⅔ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha (or more for extra heat)
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups prepared white rice (or brown rice)
- 2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 large carrot, julienned
- 1 medium cucumber, halved and sliced
- 1 large avocado, thinly sliced
- Fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey, and Sriracha. Stir well and set aside.
- Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, mix vegetable oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken breast cubes and toss them to coat evenly.
- Cook the Chicken: For the air fryer, place the chicken cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 11-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. For skillet instructions, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the seasoned chicken, and cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway until golden brown and cooked through.
- Coat the Chicken: Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a bowl and mix in ½ cup of the Bang Bang sauce.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the rice into four bowls, top each with red cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, and avocado slices. Add the coated Bang Bang chicken on top, drizzle with remaining sauce, and garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. For best texture, store sauce separately. Can make spicy by adjusting Sriracha amount.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying / Skillet
- Cuisine: Asian