Save This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a vibrant, beginner-friendly dish packed with tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy, spicy sauce. It is the perfect solution for quick weeknight dinners or healthy meal prep, offering a delightful balance of heat and freshness in every bite.
Save The magic of this bowl lies in the combination of textures and the signature sauce. By tossing the golden-brown chicken in a blend of mayonnaise, sweet chili, and sriracha, you create a satisfying main component that pairs beautifully with the crispness of the raw vegetable toppings.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces), 1 tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper.
- Bang Bang Sauce: ½ cup mayonnaise, 3 tbsp sweet chili sauce, 1–2 tsp sriracha, 1 tsp honey (optional), 1 clove garlic (minced).
- Bowl & Toppings: 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), 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional garnish), ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves (optional garnish).
Instructions
- Step 1: Sauté the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 6–8 minutes until the chicken is golden and cooked through. Remove from heat.
- Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey (if using), and minced garlic until the Bang Bang sauce is smooth.
- Step 3: Coat the Chicken
- Drizzle exactly half of the prepared sauce over the cooked chicken and toss to ensure every piece is evenly coated.
- Step 4: Assemble the Bowls
- Divide the cooked rice among four bowls. Arrange the saucy chicken, shredded carrots, cucumber slices, red cabbage, and green onions neatly on top.
- Step 5: Final Garnish
- Drizzle the remaining Bang Bang sauce over the assembled bowls. Garnish with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro if desired, and serve immediately.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Use a high-quality chef's knife and cutting board to prep all your vegetables while the chicken cooks to save time. A rice cooker or saucepan is essential for preparing a fluffy base of white or brown rice before you begin the stir-fry process.
Varianten und Anpassungen
To make a lighter version of the sauce, substitute Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise. For a vegetarian alternative, replace the chicken with cauliflower florets or tofu. If you require a gluten-free meal, ensure your sweet chili sauce is certified gluten-free and use tamari if any soy-based ingredients are added.
Serviervorschläge
This Asian-inspired bowl is best served immediately to enjoy the contrast of the warm chicken and cold, crunchy vegetables. It pairs exceptionally well with a crisp white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc, to complement the spicy notes of the sriracha.
Save Whether you are looking for a quick dinner or a colorful meal prep option, this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl delivers on both flavor and nutrition. Enjoy the harmony of creamy, spicy sauce and fresh produce in this simple yet impressive dish.
Recipe FAQs
- → What makes Bang Bang sauce special?
Bang Bang sauce combines mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha to create a creamy, spicy condiment with a perfect sweet-heat balance. The sauce originated in Asian-American cuisine and became famous for its addictive flavor profile that complements seafood, chicken, and vegetables alike.
- → Can I make this bowl ahead for meal prep?
Absolutely. The components store beautifully for 3-4 days when kept in separate airtight containers. Store the cooked chicken and sauce separately from the rice and vegetables to maintain texture. Reheat chicken gently and toss with sauce before serving over freshly warmed rice.
- → How spicy is this dish?
The spice level is easily adjustable. Starting with 1 teaspoon of sriracha provides mild heat, while increasing to 2 teaspoons delivers moderate spiciness. The sweet chili sauce and honey help temper the heat, creating a balanced flavor rather than overwhelming burn.
- → What vegetables work best in this bowl?
Shredded carrots, cucumber, and red cabbage provide ideal crunch and color contrast. You can also add thinly sliced bell peppers, snap peas, edamame, or shredded purple cabbage. The key is using vegetables that maintain their crisp texture when paired with the warm sauced chicken.
- → Can I use rotisserie chicken to save time?
Yes, shredded rotisserie chicken works perfectly and reduces total time to under 20 minutes. Simply toss the shredded chicken in half the warmed Bang Bang sauce until thoroughly coated. The sauce will revive the chicken and add plenty of flavor despite skipping the pan-searing step.
- → Is there a lighter version of the sauce?
Greek yogurt creates an excellent lighter alternative to mayonnaise, offering tangy creaminess with less fat. The flavor profile shifts slightly but remains delicious. You can also use light mayonnaise or a combination of half Greek yogurt and half mayonnaise for the best of both worlds.