Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

This hearty Bang Bang Chicken Bowl has become my family's favorite weeknight dinner solution when we crave something with a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and creamy flavors. The colorful combination of crispy vegetables, tender chicken, and that irresistible sauce creates a restaurant-quality meal right at your kitchen table.

I first created this recipe when looking for new ways to use leftover rotisserie chicken. What started as a fridge-clearing exercise has evolved into the most requested meal in our home, especially on busy weeknights when we need something satisfying but quick.

Ingredients

• Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the signature sauce. Opt for full-fat for the richest flavor
• Thai sweet chili sauce: Provides the perfect balance of sweetness with a gentle heat. Look for a quality brand with visible chili flakes
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps the sauce cling to the chicken. Local raw honey brings the best flavor
• Sriracha: Delivers the signature heat. The fresher your bottle, the more potent the spice level
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Keep the dish lean. Choose organic if possible for best flavor
• Paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper: Create a simple but effective seasoning blend that complements the sauce perfectly
• Red cabbage: Adds vibrant color and satisfying crunch. Choose heads that feel heavy for their size
• Carrots: Bring natural sweetness and beautiful color contrast. Look for firm, bright orange ones
• Cucumber: Provides refreshing crunch and helps balance the spicy elements. English cucumbers have fewer seeds
• Avocado: Adds creamy richness and healthy fats. Select slightly firm ones that yield to gentle pressure
• Fresh cilantro: Brightens the entire dish with its distinctive flavor. Look for bunches with vibrant green leaves

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce:

Combine mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, and Sriracha in a medium bowl. Whisk thoroughly until you achieve a completely smooth texture with no streaks of mayonnaise visible. The sauce should have a beautiful pale orange hue. Let it rest while preparing other components to allow flavors to meld together. The sauce will thicken slightly as it sits, creating the perfect consistency for coating the chicken.

Season and Cook the Chicken:

Place cubed chicken in a large bowl and drizzle with vegetable oil, ensuring each piece gets a light coating. Sprinkle with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, using your hands to gently toss and evenly distribute the seasonings. For air fryer cooking, arrange the chicken in a single layer without overcrowding to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking. Cook at 400°F, flipping each piece halfway through the cooking process. The chicken should have a slight golden exterior while remaining juicy inside.

Toss Chicken in Sauce:

Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean bowl and pour half a cup of the prepared Bang Bang sauce over it. Gently fold the chicken into the sauce until each piece is generously coated but being careful not to shred the tender chicken. The warm chicken will slightly thin the sauce, creating the perfect consistency. Reserve the remaining sauce for drizzling over the completed bowls.

Assemble the Bowls:

Start with a base of warm white rice divided equally among four serving bowls. The rice acts as the perfect canvas and will absorb some of the delicious sauce. Arrange the red cabbage, carrots, and cucumber in separate sections around the perimeter of each bowl, creating a vibrant color palette. Place the sauced chicken in the center as the star of the dish.

Add the Final Touches:

Fan thinly sliced avocado along one side of each bowl, adding a creamy element that balances the spice. Scatter fresh chopped cilantro generously over the entire bowl, focusing especially on the chicken. Sprinkle sesame seeds across the entire bowl for a subtle nutty flavor and beautiful presentation. Drizzle additional Bang Bang sauce over the vegetables and rice according to personal preference.

Save

The Thai sweet chili sauce truly makes this recipe special. I discovered it years ago while traveling through Southeast Asia and have been incorporating it into my cooking ever since. My children, who normally shy away from spicy foods, request extra sauce on their portions every time I make this dish.

Make Ahead Options

This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl works wonderfully for meal prep. Prepare all components separately and store in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The chicken will maintain its flavor and texture for up to 3 days when properly refrigerated. The Bang Bang sauce actually improves after sitting for a day as the flavors have time to meld together. Simply reheat the chicken and rice separately in the microwave until warmed through, then assemble your bowl with the fresh vegetables and sauce.

Ingredient Substitutions

Creating this recipe with dietary restrictions in mind is simple. For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for half of the mayonnaise in the sauce. Those avoiding gluten can rest easy as this recipe is naturally gluten free when using certified gluten free sweet chili sauce. Plant based eaters can replace the chicken with cubed extra firm tofu or chickpeas tossed in the same seasonings and air fried until crispy. Brown rice or quinoa make excellent substitutions for white rice if you're looking to increase the fiber content.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile Bang Bang Chicken Bowl pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes. Serve alongside a simple miso soup for an Asian inspired meal. For a refreshing contrast, offer a cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil. When entertaining, set up a Bang Bang Bowl bar with all components separately, allowing guests to build their own bowls according to their preferences. This interactive serving style is always a hit at casual gatherings.

Cultural Context

The Bang Bang sauce draws inspiration from Szechuan Bang Bang chicken, a traditional Chinese dish where poached chicken is served with a spicy sauce. This modern bowl adaptation incorporates elements of both Chinese and Thai cuisines through the sauce ingredients, while presenting them in the increasingly popular bowl format that has gained traction in Western restaurants. The combination represents the beautiful fusion of culinary traditions that characterizes contemporary cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions About Recipes

→ What is the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl?

The Bang Bang Chicken Bowl combines tender chicken tossed in creamy, spicy Bang Bang sauce with fresh vegetables, rice, and flavorful garnishes like cilantro and sesame seeds.

→ Can I adjust the spice level?

Yes! You can increase or decrease the amount of Sriracha in the Bang Bang sauce to suit your spice preference.

→ Can I grill the chicken instead of air frying it?

Absolutely! Grilling adds a smoky flavor and works perfectly for this recipe. Just ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

→ What vegetables can I use for the bowl?

Common choices include red cabbage, carrots, cucumber, and avocado, but feel free to customize with your preferred vegetables.

→ How can I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the sauce separate for best results when reheating.