Bang Bang Chicken Bowl deserves a spot at the top of your weeknight dinner list. Ever have one of those days where you want something bold, a bit zippy, and honestly way easier than it tastes? Yeah, me too. That’s why I keep circling back to this savory bowl. I used to think impressive chicken dinners needed all afternoon in the kitchen, but I was sooo wrong (again). If you’re into quick and flavorful chicken dinners, you’ll probably like browsing through these best chicken breast recipes or maybe even this killer skillet casserole list for another lazy night.
Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
Here’s the thing: sometimes you just need food that makes you feel like a five-star chef without actual chef skills. The Bang Bang Chicken Bowl absolutely delivers on that (seriously, my family is still raving about it two weeks out). It’s got that perfect combo of crispy, juicy chicken, tossed in a sauce that balances sweet, tangy, and just enough spicy kick to wake up your tastebuds. To be honest, even my friend—who calls ketchup “exotic”—asked for seconds!
The magic is all about that Bang Bang sauce. Mayo makes everything super creamy (and, well, unhealthy in the best way), but then you throw in a little sriracha and some honey, and the whole thing becomes kind of addicting. Trust me, leftovers taste even better the next day. Actually, scratch that. There won’t be leftovers.
Not to get dramatic, but if you try this once, you’ll consider retiring your usual chicken recipes for a while. Sure, classic chicken is great, but THIS recipe? It’s a mood booster in a bowl.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken
Let’s be honest for a hot sec—I used to look at restaurant bang bang chicken and think, “Yeah, I’d probably mess that up.” Turns out, it’s not hard at all. Here’s how I do it, and honestly, you can wing parts of it (pun intended) and still end up with something darn good.
Start by cutting your chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Toss ‘em in a bowl with a bit of salt, pepper, and cornstarch (the trick for getting that awesome crispy outside). Heat a skillet with some oil—don’t overthink it, just enough to coat the bottom—then add your chicken pieces. Brown them up, turning so they’re golden and cooked through.
While the chicken sizzles, grab another bowl (yes, you’ll dirty a few dishes) and whisk together mayo, sriracha, honey, and a splash of vinegar. Adjust to your taste. Like it fiery? Add more sriracha. Need it sweeter? Drizzle in a little more honey.
Once your chicken is cooked, toss it straight in the sauce, give it a good stir, and slap it on a bed of white or jasmine rice. Top it with sliced green onions or some chopped peanuts if you’re feeling fancy. So easy, almost embarrassingly so. Works for meal prep, works for impressing people, works for eating in your pajamas while watching reruns.
What to Serve With Bang Bang Chicken
You can make a whole dinner spread out of this if you want. Or, just eat it solo (zero judgment). Sometimes I go all out and grab extra sides from leftover veggies in the fridge. Here’s what I love serving with the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl:
- Steamed broccoli: adds color and crunch, and balances out the sauciness.
- Simple cucumber salad: refreshing and extra tangy if you splash some rice vinegar.
- A scoop of jasmine or brown rice: honestly, any grain works, but rice soaks up all that sweet and spicy sauce.
- Roasted sweet potatoes: weirdly, it works. Trust me on this one.
If you want even more chicken inspiration for those “what do I do with these breasts?” nights, check out these juicy grilled chicken breast recipes.
| Side Dish | Prep Time | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steamed Broccoli | 5 mins | Crisp texture | Microwave or stovetop |
| Cucumber Salad | 10 mins | Fresh, tangy | Rice vinegar for zing |
| Brown Rice | 20 mins | Healthy base | Use leftover rice for speed |
| Roasted Sweet Potatoes | 25 mins | Extra savory | Dice small for faster roasting |
Tips for Perfecting Your Bang Bang Chicken
Okay, here’s where I spill the little secrets that’ll stop your chicken from being, you know, “meh.” First up, cornstarch on the chicken. Don’t skip it, ever. It’s what gets you that not-quite-fried crunch you want without actual deep frying (because who wants to scrub splattered oil off the backsplash after dinnertime, seriously).
If you’re in a pinch, air fryer chicken works too, but the sauce is the real showstopper. Taste as you mix it. You can totally freestyle—too much mayo? Spoon some out. Want it over-the-top spicy? Dump in an extra squirt of hot sauce. No one will know except you, and that’s how kitchen confidence starts.
A big thing: always use fresh, not frozen, chicken if you can. It just cooks up juicier. And pile on those toppings, don’t hold back. Fresh cilantro, scallions, even a sprinkle of sesame seeds can fool people into thinking dinner was a huge deal (even if you barely tried).
If you ever need more chicken meal variety, take a peek at these bone-in chicken breast recipes. They’ve totally leveled up my weeknight dinners.
Can I Make Bang Bang Chicken Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely, and honestly, the flavors kind of melt together even more after a rest in the fridge. I’ve meal-prepped this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl for lunches, and it’s still awesome two days later (can’t speak about three days, it’s always gone by then, oops).
Here’s a quick tip: store the chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers if you want max crispiness when reheating. Otherwise, just mix it all together and microwave for about a minute before digging in. It packs really well for work lunches, too—I just keep the toppings in a baggie to sprinkle on later. Leftovers, by the way, taste almost restaurant-level good.
I’ve even frozen the cooked chicken (no sauce) before, and tossed it with fresh sauce right before dinner. Works in a pinch, and nobody complains.
Common Questions
Is Bang Bang Chicken Bowl spicy?
Yeah, a little. The sriracha brings some heat, but you control how much to add, so it’s super easy to make it milder or hotter.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
For sure! Thighs make it juicier and add more flavor. Just cut them up the same way.
What’s the best rice for this bowl?
I love jasmine rice for its scent and fluffiness, but honestly, whatever’s in your pantry works fine.
Can I make this gluten free?
Totally. Replace the cornstarch with potato starch and use gluten free sriracha.
Is this kid friendly?
Absolutely, especially if you use less hot sauce in the Bang Bang sauce.
Ready to Make Dinner A Bit More Exciting?
Alright, if you’re tired of chicken dinners that feel boring and, well, just “meh,” this is the night to try a Bang Bang Chicken Bowl at home. It’s easy, satisfying, packed with flavor, and honestly, it’ll make you rethink what dinner can be (no lie). If you want to explore more takes and check out other spins on this classic, try the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl by I Am Homesteader or even peek at the Bang Bang Chicken Bowls Recipe over at Jar Of Lemons. Go on—grab that chicken and make your own new favorite weeknight meal!
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free Optional
Description
A quick and flavorful chicken bowl with crispy chicken tossed in a creamy, spicy Bang Bang sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- Cooked white or jasmine rice, for serving
- Sliced green onions, for garnish
- Chopped peanuts, for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and cornstarch.
- Heat oil in a skillet and add the chicken. Cook until golden and cooked through.
- In another bowl, whisk together mayo, sriracha, honey, and vinegar.
- Once chicken is cooked, toss it in the Bang Bang sauce.
- Serve over rice and garnish with sliced green onions and peanuts.
Notes
Store chicken and sauce separately if making ahead to preserve crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg