Description
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a vibrant and beginner-friendly dish bursting with flavor. Tender chicken pieces are cooked to golden perfection and tossed in a creamy, spicy Bang Bang sauce. Served over a bed of rice with fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumber, and red cabbage, this bowl offers a perfect balance of textures and tastes, making it a delicious, easy-to-make meal for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1–2 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
For the Bowl:
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
- Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken evenly and preventing sticking.
- Cook the Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them to the heated skillet. Cook for about 6–8 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey (if using), and minced garlic until smooth and well combined to create the signature Bang Bang sauce.
- Toss Chicken with Sauce: Drizzle half of the Bang Bang sauce over the cooked chicken and toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly, enhancing every bite with creamy spiciness.
- Assemble the Bowls: Place cooked rice at the bottom of each bowl as the base. Layer on the coated chicken, shredded carrots, thinly sliced cucumber, shredded red cabbage, and sliced green onions to add freshness and crunch.
- Top with Remaining Sauce: Drizzle the remaining Bang Bang sauce on top of each assembled bowl for extra flavor and moisture.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds and fresh cilantro over the bowls if desired, then serve immediately to enjoy the full vibrant flavors and textures.
Notes
- You can use either white or brown rice based on preference or dietary needs.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha in the sauce to control the level of spiciness.
- Substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer more tender, juicy meat.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Fresh veggies can be swapped with whatever you have on hand, such as bell peppers or snap peas.
