Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe

Want something bright, protein-dense, and bursting with flavour? This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe is what you need.

It is crispy-fried tender chicken with a bang bang sauce- creamy, spicy, and the whole shebang served over fluffy rice and fresh veggies.

Meal prep, busy weeknights, or whipping up a healthy lunch; this recipe is very adaptable and a real crowd-pleaser.

So let’s learn how to make this totally irresistible dish, which will surely become a hit in your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

• Strong Flavours: The creamy, spicy, and a tad sweet bang bang sauce elevates this dish.

• Customizable: Ingredients may be swapped to meet any taste or dietary needs—grilled chicken, baked chicken, or even tofu.

• Healthy and Balanced: Prepare a batch for delicious lunches or dinners throughout the week.

• Healthy and Nutritional: Full of lean protein, fresh vegetables, and whole grains to nourish the body.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Cooking spray or 2 tbsp olive oil (for baking or frying)

For the Bang Bang Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)

1/4 cup sweet chilli sauce

2 tbsp sriracha (adjust for spice preference)

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp rice vinegar

For the Bowl

2 cups cooked jasmine rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cucumber, thinly sliced

1 avocado, sliced

2 green onions, chopped

Sesame seeds, for garnish

Optional: edamame, red cabbage, or pickled radish

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with buttermilk. Let marinate for 20 minutes (or up to 4 hours in the fridge for extra tenderness).

Prepare the Coating

In a shallow dish, mix flour, panko, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

Coat the Chicken: Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing to adhere.

Cook the Chicken

Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spray with cooking spray, and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).

Frying: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until crispy and cooked through.

Make the Bang Bang Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chilli sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Assemble the Bowls

Divide cooked rice among 4 bowls. Top with chicken, shredded carrots, cucumber, avocado, and green onions. Drizzle generously with bang bang sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Serve

Enjoy immediately or store for meal prep.

Tips for the Perfect Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

Crispier Chicken: Once again, dipping chicken in the buttermilk and then flour mixture gives an extra crispy texture.

Adjust Spice Level: Reduce the amount of the sriracha or sweet chili sauce for milder flavor, or increasing the amount of chili flakes for additional heat.

Time Saver: This cuts prep time to no more than a new meal; the fast option is to buy either pre-cooked rice or store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Gluten-Free Version: Flour and panko may be substituted with other gluten-free flour alternatives, such as almond or gluten-free breadcrumbs.

To Maximise Flavour: Allow the chicken to marinate more for a deeper penetration of flavour.

Variations and Substitutions

Protein Swap: Use shrimp, tofu, or salmon for an alternate option instead of chicken.

Grain Options: Go brown rice, farro, or cauliflower rice for low carb.

Veggie Variations: Add some bell peppers, snap peas, or roasted broccoli for extra crunch and colour.

Sauce Alternatives: Change up the bang bang sauce for a peanut sauce, or cashew for teriyaki sauce and so on.

There are dietary needs:

• Keto: Almond flour for coating on chicken, and cauliflower rice for low carb.

• Dairy-Free: Sauce made with vegan mayo or cashew cream.

• Low-Calorie: Bake chicken instead of frying and use Greek yogurt instead of mayo.

Serving Suggestions

Pairings: Serve with that classic miso soup, spring rolls, or a refreshing light cucumber salad.

Beverages: Pair the spice with iced green tea, a smooth mango smoothie, or sparkling limeade.

Garnishes: Compound the fresh taste with some chopped cilantro, crushed peanuts, or wedges of lime.

Make Ahead, Storage, and Freezing Instructions

Make Ahead

Up to 2 days prior, you may prepare the chicken and the sauce. Store in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.

You can cook the rice and chop the veggies in advance so that you can assemble in no time.

Storing

Keep the assembled bowls (without sauce) in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 4 days.

Keep the sauce separate from the bowl so it does not get soggy.

Reheat chicken in an oven or air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes so that it stays crispy.

Freezing

Freeze the cooked chicken (without sauce) in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months, then thaw in the fridge the night before reheating.

Don’t freeze assembled veggies and rice will just turn mushy!

FAQs

Can I make this recipe without frying?

Yes! Baked or air-fried chicken imparts a crispy texture using minimal oil. Follow the baking instructions mentioned above or air fry at 380°F (193°C) for about 12-15 minutes.

Is Bang Bang sauce very spicy?

The sauce is spicy depending on the brand of sriracha used, anywhere from mild to medium heat. Adjust the sriracha or sweet chilli sauce to control the level of spice.

Can I use store-bought bang bang sauce?

Sure! Look for bang bang or spicy mayo sauce in your local grocery store to cut on time.

How can I make this vegetarian?

Just replace the chicken with tofu or tempeh and use the same breading and cooking methods.

What’s the best rice for this bowl?

For a fluffy texture, use jasmine or basmati rice, but really, any grain like quinoa or brown rice will work as well.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe offers a mix of crispy, spicy, and fresh flavour blends, and is perfect for a healthy dinner, meal-prepping, or even a quick lunch.

Its build-your-own ingredients, quick fix, and the addictive bang bang sauce are just a few reasons this keeps topping foodies’ lists.

Try it now and step up the meal game at home with this restaurant-worthy recipe!

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