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Effortless Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

Category: Restaurant-Quality Entrées at Home

Enjoy a vibrant bowl combining savory chicken breast and crisp mixed vegetables, all brought together with a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce featuring sriracha and honey for bold flavor. Everything rests on a bed of freshly cooked rice; brown, white, or cauliflower modify to your preferences. Freshly chopped ingredients, a quick sear, and a gentle toss in the sauce preserve the freshness and combine textures. Adjust spice to your liking, and enhance with sesame seeds or green onions for garnish. This dish offers balanced taste, satisfying crunch, and comes together easily in one pan, making it perfect for busy days.

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Sandra
By Sandra Sandra
Updated on Fri, 20 Jun 2025 12:46:14 GMT
A bowl of food with rice, carrots, broccoli, and other vegetables. Pin
A bowl of food with rice, carrots, broccoli, and other vegetables. | howtogourmet.com

This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is my shortcut answer to those busy weeknights when I want fast flavor and minimal cleanup. It brings together juicy chicken, crisp vegetables, warm rice, and a creamy spicy sauce for a bowl that feels like comfort food with a fiery kick.

I made this first on a night when everyone craved takeout but I needed to clean out the fridge. Now I batch-cook it every Sunday for lunches and it never gets boring.

Ingredients

  • Chicken breast: skinless and boneless brings lean protein and stays juicy when diced
  • Cooked rice: any variety gives a flexible base you can tailor to your diet try cauliflower rice for lower carbs always rinse for best texture
  • Olive oil: for browning chicken adds richness so pick one with a mild to medium fruitiness
  • Salt and black pepper: essential for seasoning every bite evenly pick fresh ground rather than pre-powdered
  • Assorted veggies: carrots bell peppers broccoli bring crunch color and nutrition choose fresh and vibrant with no soft spots
  • Mayonnaise: the creamy base for sauce look for whole egg mayo for best tang
  • Sriracha sauce: the signature spicy heat adjust to your liking and check freshness for bold flavor
  • Honey: adds sweetness to balance heat use a good quality pure honey for best taste
  • Garlic powder: gives the sauce depth pick one without added fillers
  • Lime juice: brightens the sauce up fresh is best but bottled will work too

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cook the Rice:
Follow package directions on your chosen rice using either stovetop or rice cooker. When rice is cooked keep it covered somewhere warm so it remains fluffy
Prep and Season the Chicken:
Chop chicken breast into small even cubes. Sprinkle salt and black pepper over all sides so each piece has seasoning
Brown the Chicken:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high. Add chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for six to eight minutes stirring every couple minutes. Wait for the chicken to turn golden and be fully cooked all the way through with an internal temperature of one hundred sixty five degrees
Mix the Sauce:
In a small mixing bowl add mayonnaise sriracha honey garlic powder and lime juice. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste a bit and adjust honey or sriracha for your preferred heat and sweetness
Add the Vegetables:
Toss the assorted chopped veggies into the skillet with cooked chicken. Stir and cook for two to three minutes so the veggies start softening but still stay bright and crisp
Combine and Finish:
Take the skillet off the burner and pour the bang bang sauce over the chicken and veggies. Gently stir to ensure everything is fully coated. Spoon chicken veg and sauce mixture over the cooked rice. For more kick drizzle extra sriracha or sprinkle green onions right before serving
A bowl of food with rice, broccoli, carrots, and meat. Pin
A bowl of food with rice, broccoli, carrots, and meat. | howtogourmet.com

Sometimes I make the sauce a day in advance so the flavors meld together and get even better. The sriracha brings such a warm glow to this bowl it always reminds me of making spicy mayo sushi rolls with my sister when we were teenagers.

Storage Tips

This bowl stores well in airtight containers in the fridge for up to three days. Keep the rice and chicken veggie mixture separate if possible and reheat only what you need so the veggies stay crisp. The sauce can be made ahead and kept chilled for up to one week always stir before using.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you are out of chicken try shrimp or tofu for a quick twist just dry them well before cooking so they brown up nicely. Any crunchy veggie works sugar snap peas or zucchini go great. For the sauce you can swap Greek yogurt for mayo for a tangier lighter option.

A bowl of food with rice, broccoli, and chicken. Pin
A bowl of food with rice, broccoli, and chicken. | howtogourmet.com

Serving Suggestions

This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is perfect on its own but a handful of fresh cilantro or a sprinkle of sesame seeds makes it pop. Serve with lime wedges or a light salad on the side for extra freshness. Leftovers make an excellent filling for wraps or even tossed over salad greens.

Cultural and Historical Context

Bang Bang sauce takes inspiration from both American and Asian kitchens known for its creamy spicy blend that pairs well with just about anything. The original bang bang chicken is a popular dish in Sichuan cuisine usually featuring poached chicken and a sesame chili sauce but this recipe is my go to modern shortcut for bold flavor in every bite.

Recipe FAQs

→ What kind of chicken works best here?

Boneless, skinless chicken breast is ideal for its quick cooking and lean texture, but thighs can also be used for juicier bites.

→ Can I substitute the rice?

Yes, use white, brown, or cauliflower rice depending on your preference or dietary needs. Prepare according to package instructions for best results.

→ How do I control the spice level?

Adjust the amount of sriracha in the sauce, or add more if you want extra heat. To make it milder, use less sriracha and increase honey.

→ How should the vegetables be cooked?

Sauté the vegetables only briefly so they keep their color, crunch, and nutrients. Overcooking will make them too soft.

→ What toppings work well for extra flavor?

Try a sprinkle of sesame seeds or sliced green onions for added flavor, color, and a professional finish to your bowl.

Effortless Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

Tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and creamy, spicy bang bang sauce served over warm rice for a simple meal.

Preparation Time
15 min
Cooking Time
15 min
Total Time
30 min
By Sandra: Sandra

Category: Main Courses

Skill Level: Easy

Cuisine: Fusion

Yield: 4 Servings (Four individual bowls)

Dietary Preferences: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Chicken and Rice

01 Salt, to taste
02 Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
03 30 ml olive oil
04 250 g cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower)
05 450 g boneless, skinless chicken breast

→ Vegetables

06 120 g assorted vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, broccoli), chopped

→ Bang Bang Sauce

07 5 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
08 3 g garlic powder
09 15 ml honey
10 30 ml sriracha sauce
11 120 ml mayonnaise

Steps

Step 01

Prepare rice according to package instructions using either the stovetop or a rice cooker. Once cooked, keep warm.

Step 02

Dice chicken breast into small, even cubes. Season thoroughly with salt and black pepper to ensure each piece is coated.

Step 03

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until each piece is deeply browned and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 74°C).

Step 04

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, and lime juice until smooth. Taste and adjust with additional honey or sriracha for desired spice level.

Step 05

Add assorted vegetables to the skillet with the chicken. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until just tender yet still crisp.

Step 06

Remove the skillet from heat. Pour bang bang sauce over chicken and vegetables, stirring gently to coat completely. Serve atop warmed rice. Garnish with a drizzle of sriracha or sliced green onions for additional flavor and visual appeal.

Additional Notes

  1. Check chicken with an instant-read thermometer to ensure it reaches 74°C internally for food safety.
  2. Briefly sauté vegetables to retain their crunch and nutrients.
  3. Adjust sriracha quantity in the sauce to control the spice profile.
  4. Swap cauliflower rice for a lower carbohydrate option.
  5. Finish with sesame seeds or fresh green onions for added flavor and color.

Required Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Instant-read thermometer
  • Rice cooker or saucepan with lid
  • Whisk or spoon

Allergen Information

Always review every ingredient for potential allergens and consult a health professional if you’re unsure.
  • Contains eggs (in mayonnaise).

Nutritional Information (per serving)

The provided details are for informational purposes and should not replace professional health advice.
  • Calories: 436
  • Fats: 17 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Proteins: 32 g