These bang bang chicken bowls are made with juicy, flavorful chicken, fresh vegetables, fluffy white rice, and a creamy, spicy-sweet bang bang sauce drizzled on top.
This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a balanced and delicious meal.
Easy bang bang chicken bowls recipe
I love that these bowls are quick to make, versatile, and easy to customize. Whether you’re preparing dinner for the family or making meals ahead for the week, bang bang chicken bowls are sure to become a household favorite.
Want something different? Try making salmon bowls with bang bang salmon bites. I'm not joking when I tell you that the sauce is everything.
Recipe Highlights
Bursting with Flavor: The bang bang sauce perfectly blends creamy, tangy, and spicy notes.
Quick and Easy: Ready in no time, it’s ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Customizable: Adjust the spice level or swap out veggies to suit your taste.
Balanced and Nutritious: Packed with protein, fresh veggies, and rice.
Ingredients
* Need to print out this recipe? You’ll find a printable recipe card at the end of this post. Enjoy!
For the Chicken:
Chicken thighs: Tender and flavorful, perfect for juicy bites.
Toasted sesame oil: Adds a subtle nutty aroma to the chicken.
Garlic powder, onion powder, and ground ginger: Flavorful seasonings to complement the dish.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning.
For the Sauce:
Japanese mayonnaise: The creamy base for the signature bang bang sauce.
Honey and sriracha: Sweetness meets spice for the perfect balance.
Rice vinegar: Adds a subtle tang to the sauce.
For the Bowls:
Cooked white rice: A comforting base for the chicken and veggies.
Red cabbage and carrots: Crunchy and vibrant vegetables.
Cucumber and edamame: Fresh and nutrient-packed additions.
Fresh cilantro and sesame seeds: Perfect for garnish and flavor.
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- Air fryer
- Mixing bowls
How to make bang bang chicken bowls
In a small bowl, whisk together Japanese mayonnaise, honey, and sriracha until smooth. Divide into two portions and set aside.
In a bowl, toss the chicken with toasted sesame oil, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, salt, black pepper and one part of reserved sauce until well coated.
**(I used leftovers from my bang bang chicken skewers, if you are making these from scratch, there's no need to thread the meat on skewers)**
Arrange chicken in a single layer and cook at 400°F for 12 to 14 minutes, shaking halfway through.
If cooking the chicken bites on a skillet, heat up some oil, add the chicken pieces in then cook the chicken in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (about 5–7 minutes per side).
Assemble the bowls
Divide the warm cooked white rice evenly among serving bowls.
Arrange red cabbage, julienned carrots, sliced cucumber, and edamame on the the side on top of the rice in the bowls
Add the cooked chicken on the other side of the veggies.
Drizzle the bang bang sauce over the chicken and vegetables.
What else can I add to my bang bang rice bowls
Here are some delicious additions you can include to customize your bang bang chicken bowls:
- Avocado Slices: Add creaminess to balance the spice of the bang bang sauce.
- Pickled Vegetables: Pickled red onions or radishes add a tangy crunch.
- Noodles: Substitute or mix with rice for a fun twist.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Adds a hearty and slightly sweet element.
- Crushed Peanuts or Cashews: Adds crunch and a nutty flavor.
- Kimchi: For a bold, fermented kick.
- Seaweed: Enhances the Asian-inspired flavors.
- Chili Oil: Drizzle for an extra layer of spice and flavor.
How to store
Storage: Separate the veggies from the rice she chicken. Keep all leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Microwave the rice and chicken in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Add the veggies and more sauce to the bowl and enjoy.
Helpful Tips
- Prep Ingredients in Advance: Chop veggies and mix the sauce before cooking to save time.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer or skillet. Cook chicken in batches for even crispiness.
- Adjust the spice level of your bang bang sauce to suit your preference.
FAQs
Yes, Greek yogurt is an easy substitute for a lighter version of the bang bang sauce.
You can bake or pan-fry the chicken for similar results.
Oh yes! The recipe is called bang bang chicken bowls because the bang bang sauce is the star of the dish.
However, you can definitely swap it for other sauces like yum yum sauce, mayocue, spicy mayo, or even homemade Raising Cane's sauce.
Just keep in mind, if you change the sauce, it won’t technically be a bang bang chicken recipe anymore.
More recipes like this one
- Bang bang shrimp
- Ground beef bowls
- Check out all our Home Cooked Recipes
Bang bang chicken bowls are the perfect mix of convenience, flavor, and fun customization.
Whether you’re craving bang bang chicken bites or a comforting chicken rice bowl, this recipe has something for everyone.
Try it out today, and let your kitchen come alive with the irresistible flavors of bang bang sauce!
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Bang bang chicken bowls
Equipment
- 5 qt air fryer or larger
Ingredients
For the bang bang sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons sriracha
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
For the chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1.5 inch thick pieces
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the rice bowls
- 4 cups Cooked white rice
- 1 cup shelled edamame
- 1 cup Julienned carrots
- 1 ½ cup shredded cabbage
- 1 medium cucumber (sliced thinly)
Instructions
Make the Bang Bang Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, honey, sriracha, and Thai sweet chili until smooth.
- Taste and adjust to your preference by adding more sriracha for heat or honey for sweetness. If the flavors are too bold, balance them out with a little extra mayonnaise.
- Divide the sauce into two separate bowls. Reserving one portion for serving the rice bowls and the other to toss the chicken in.
Season the Chicken
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces, sesame oil, seasonings and one part of the reserved bang bang sauce.
- Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving room for airflow. Cook in batches if necessary, depending on your air fryer size.
Cook
- Air fry at 400°F for 12 to 13 minutes or until internal temperature is 165°F (74°C)
- Remember to flip the chicken half way through cooking time.
Assembling the Bang Bang Chicken Bowls
- Divide the cooked rice into 4 different bowls, then add the sliced cucumbers, shredded red cabbage, shredded carrots, and shelled edamame.
- Add the cooked chicken, drizzle the reserved sauce over the bowls, then top sesame seeds, and green onions and enjoy your meal!
Notes
- Swap chicken thighs for boneless, skinless chicken breasts if preferred.
- For a tangier sauce, cut the honey in half or leave it out completely then add a tablespoon of rice vinegar. The flavor will differ slightly but still deliver the sweet and tangy profile.
- Let the chicken cool completely before storing. Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Store any remaining sauce separately in a sealed container, like a mason jar, and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
