Forget dull takeout and say hello to the ultimate bang bang chicken bowl packed with flavor and freshness. This dish is your weeknight hero: crisp, savory chicken bites combined with creamy spicy sauce, crisp veggies, and soft rice. Ready in under 30 minutes, it delivers restaurant-grade deliciousness with minimal fuss.
Table of Contents
The Ultimate Bang Bang Chicken Bowl (That’s Better Than Takeout)
A spicy-sweet Bang Bang Chicken Bowl made with crispy sautéed chicken, fresh vegetables, and a creamy honey-chili sauce over jasmine rice. Perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 bowls 1x
- Category: Dinner, Bowl Meal, Chicken
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cubed)
¼ cup tapioca starch or cornstarch
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp paprika
2 tbsp avocado oil
For the Sauce:
⅓ cup honey
3 tbsp sweet chili sauce
3 tbsp avocado mayo
1–2 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
2 tsp minced garlic
½ tsp salt
For the Veggies:
1 tbsp avocado oil
1½ cups julienned carrots
2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
For Assembly:
2 cups cooked jasmine rice
1 medium cucumber (thinly sliced)
1 green onion (chopped)
Fresh lime juice
Black sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
1. Coat the Chicken:
In a bowl, mix starch, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. Toss chicken cubes until evenly coated.
2. Cook the Chicken:
Heat avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high. Cook chicken in batches (avoid overcrowding), turning until golden and crisp. Set aside.
3. Make the Sauce:
In a bowl, whisk together honey, sweet chili sauce, avocado mayo, hot sauce, garlic, and salt. Set aside ¼ cup for drizzling.
4. Sauté the Veggies:
In the same skillet, add oil and carrots. Sauté until slightly softened. Add cabbage, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir-fry until just tender.
5. Assemble the Bowls:
Toss cooked chicken with the remaining sauce. Optionally, mix the reserved sauce with a bit of mayo for extra drizzle.
In each bowl:
Start with jasmine rice
Add sautéed veggies
Top with sauced chicken
Garnish with cucumber, green onion, lime juice, and sesame seeds
Drizzle extra sauce on top before serving
Notes
To keep it gluten-free, ensure your starch and sauces are certified gluten-free. Adjust spice level with more or less hot sauce. Can substitute mayo with Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 644 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 96mg
Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
You’re going to adore this bang bang chicken bowl recipe for so many reasons. First, the sauce’s perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy makes this bang bang chicken bowl incredibly addictive. Second, it’s a fast, straightforward dish you can count on for any weeknight. Finally, it’s highly customizable and satisfying. Whether you’re adding extra veggies, adjusting the heat, or serving it over greens instead of rice, this bang bang chicken bowl fits your lifestyle with ease.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To build this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl, gather fresh basics:
For the Chicken:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1/4 cup tapioca starch or cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
For the Sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 3 tablespoons avocado mayo
- 1 to 2 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Veggies:
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 1/2 cups julienned carrots
- 2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
For Assembly:
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice
- 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 green onion, chopped
- Fresh lime juice
- Black sesame seeds (optional)
How to Make this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Follow these steps for best results:
- Prepare the Chicken Coating: In a bowl, combine starch, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. Toss chicken cubes in the mixture until fully coated.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Cook chicken in batches without overcrowding until golden and crisp on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Mix the Sauce: In a large bowl, whisk all sauce ingredients together. Reserve 1/4 cup separately for topping.
- Sauté the Veggies: In the same skillet, heat oil. Add carrots and cook until slightly soft. Add cabbage, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until tender-crisp.
- Assemble the Bowls: Toss cooked chicken in the main bowl of sauce. Combine remaining mayo with the reserved sauce for drizzle. In bowls, layer rice, veggies, and sauced chicken. Garnish with cucumber, green onion, lime juice, and sesame seeds. Add sauce drizzle on top.
Serving and Storage Tips
Serve this dish buffet-style for a fun dinner. Let everyone build their own version. To store, keep ingredients in separate containers in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat chicken in a pan or air fryer for crispiness. Reassemble the bowl fresh for best flavor.
Helpful Notes
Make it your own with easy changes. Reduce the heat by using less hot sauce. For juicier results, use chicken thighs. If you’re out of tapioca, cornstarch makes an excellent alternative. For added crispiness, double-dredge chicken with an egg wash before coating.
- To save time on weeknights, pre-cut your veggies and marinate the chicken the night before.
- Make the sauce in bulk and store it in the fridge for up to a week. It’s great on wraps, salads, or as a dip.
- Use a digital thermometer to check that the chicken reaches 165°F for safe and juicy results.
- Add extra crunch by topping your bowl with roasted peanuts or crispy wonton strips.
Final Thoughts
This quick meal proves dinner can be fresh, exciting, and healthy. With sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors in each bite, it offers satisfaction in every forkful. Now that you have the full recipe and all the tricks, you’re ready to make this bowl your own masterpiece.
If you’re looking for a reliable recipe that blends comfort with excitement, this bang bang chicken bowl is it. Whether you’re meal prepping, impressing guests, or feeding the family, it’s a crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again.
More Delicious Variations
Can’t get enough of the flavors? Try these with the same bang bang chicken bowl spirit:
- For a street-style twist, check out this Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl packed with charred corn and lime zest.
- Want smoky southwest flair? This Southwest Chicken Bowl brings smoky spice plus creamy ranch.
- Looking for something extra hearty? Head over to this Chicken and Rice Bowl loaded with savory veggies and tangy sauce.
For deeper insight into the nutrition and benefits of lean protein like the chicken in this dish, check out these reputable sources:
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl FAQs
What culture is Bang Bang Chicken?
The original Bang Bang Chicken, or “Bàng Bàng Jī,” comes from Sichuan, China. It uses poached chicken that’s beaten with a stick to tenderize it and served with a sesame-based sauce. The Western version found in this bowl features crispy fried chicken coated in a creamy, spicy mayo-based sauce, inspired by adaptations popularized by restaurants like Bonefish Grill.
What sides go with Bang Bang Chicken?
This bowl is filling on its own, but it also pairs well with sides like miso soup, spring rolls, steamed edamame, or a fresh Asian cucumber salad.
Is Bang Bang Chicken Bowl healthy?
This bowl provides a solid balance of nutrients. A single serving contains about 40 grams of protein, making it ideal for those looking to support muscle health. You can make it even healthier by using brown rice or quinoa and loading up on extra fresh vegetables.
