🎉 Introduction
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is the ultimate combination of crispy chicken, creamy spicy sauce, fresh veggies, and fluffy rice. Inspired by the famous Bang Bang Shrimp, this homemade version uses golden, crunchy chicken bites tossed in a sweet, spicy, and creamy sauce for a restaurant-quality meal you can make in under 30 minutes. Perfect for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner! 🍚✨
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large skillet or air fryer
- Mixing bowls
- Baking sheet (if oven-baking)
- Knife & cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
🛒 Ingredients
🍗 Crispy Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 cup cornstarch
- ½ cup flour
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Vegetable oil, for frying (or use air fryer)
🌶 Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp sriracha (adjust for spice level)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lime juice
🍚 Bowls
- 2 cups cooked white or jasmine rice
- 1 cup shredded lettuce or cabbage
- ½ cup diced cucumber
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Make Bang Bang Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice until smooth. Set aside.
Step 2: Prepare Chicken
In a bowl, season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then toss with buttermilk.
In another bowl, mix cornstarch and flour.
Dredge buttermilk-coated chicken in the flour mixture until fully coated.
Step 3: Cook Chicken
For Frying: Heat ½ inch vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high. Fry chicken pieces in batches 3–4 minutes per side until crispy and cooked through.
For Air Fryer: Spray coated chicken with oil and air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Drain cooked chicken on paper towels.
Step 4: Toss with Sauce
In a large bowl, toss hot chicken with bang bang sauce until fully coated.
Step 5: Assemble Bowls
Divide rice among bowls.
Top with shredded lettuce or cabbage, crispy chicken, cucumber, carrots, and green onions.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and add lime wedges.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: ~30 minutes
🥄 Variations
- Grilled Version: Skip breading and grill chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Low Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps.
- Protein Swap: Try shrimp, tofu, or crispy cauliflower.
- Extra Veggies: Add edamame, avocado, or bell peppers.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store chicken and rice separately in airtight containers up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm chicken in oven or air fryer at 350°F until crispy; microwave rice and veggies separately.
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I make it less spicy?
Yes—reduce or skip sriracha in the sauce.
Can I bake the chicken?
Yes—bake at 425°F for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Is it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free flour and cornstarch, and check sauces for gluten.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Thaw fully before breading.
What’s the best rice?
Jasmine or short-grain white rice.
Can I meal prep?
Yes—store sauce, chicken, rice, and veggies separately.
Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Yes—warm and toss in sauce, but it won’t be as crispy.
Is it dairy-free?
Use plant milk or egg instead of buttermilk.
What other sauces work?
Honey garlic or teriyaki sauce.
Can kids eat it?
Yes—reduce sriracha for milder flavor.
📝 Conclusion
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl brings together crispy, tender chicken, fresh veggies, and creamy, spicy sauce for an irresistible meal that’s perfect for busy nights or meal prep. You’ll want to put this sauce on everything! 🍗🔥🥗
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl – Crispy, Creamy & Bursting with Flavor
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice until smooth. Set aside.
- In a bowl, season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then toss with buttermilk.
- In another bowl, mix cornstarch and flour.
- Dredge buttermilk-coated chicken in the flour mixture until fully coated.
- For Frying: Heat ½ inch vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high. Fry chicken pieces in batches 3–4 minutes per side until crispy and cooked through.
- For Air Fryer: Spray coated chicken with oil and air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Drain cooked chicken on paper towels.
- In a large bowl, toss hot chicken with bang bang sauce until fully coated.
- Divide rice among bowls.
- Top with shredded lettuce or cabbage, crispy chicken, cucumber, carrots, and green onions.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and add lime wedges.
Notes
Grilled Version: Skip breading and grill chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Low Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps. Protein Swap: Try shrimp, tofu, or crispy cauliflower. Extra Veggies: Add edamame, avocado, or bell peppers. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store chicken and rice separately in airtight containers up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm chicken in oven or air fryer at 350°F until crispy; microwave rice and veggies separately. ❓ 10 FAQs
Can I make it less spicy?
Yes—reduce or skip sriracha in the sauce. Can I bake the chicken?
Yes—bake at 425°F for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway. Is it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free flour and cornstarch, and check sauces for gluten. Can I use frozen chicken?
Thaw fully before breading. What’s the best rice?
Jasmine or short-grain white rice. Can I meal prep?
Yes—store sauce, chicken, rice, and veggies separately. Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Yes—warm and toss in sauce, but it won’t be as crispy. Is it dairy-free?
Use plant milk or egg instead of buttermilk. What other sauces work?
Honey garlic or teriyaki sauce. Can kids eat it?
Yes—reduce sriracha for milder flavor. 📝 Conclusion
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl brings together crispy, tender chicken, fresh veggies, and creamy, spicy sauce for an irresistible meal that’s perfect for busy nights or meal prep. You’ll want to put this sauce on everything! 🍗🔥🥗
