It was one of those Tuesday nights when the fridge looked like a puzzle. A half-used bag of broccoli, leftover rice, and chicken breast waiting to be used. I craved something fast, bold, and saucy. That’s when this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl happened — spicy, creamy, sweet, and ready in 25 minutes. It totally saved dinner.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
A Quick, Weeknight Favorite
We’ve all had those evenings when dinner feels like a chore. This bowl makes it feel easy again. With just 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cook time, it’s on the table faster than delivery. You cook everything in one pan, which means less mess too.
Perfect Balance of Creamy, Spicy, and Sweet
What makes this dish shine is the bang bang sauce. It’s creamy from mayo, spicy from sriracha, and a touch sweet thanks to honey. When it hugs tender chicken and crisp veggies over warm rice, every bite feels like a little reward for making it through the day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Chicken & Veggies
Start with one pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast. Cut it into bite-sized pieces so it cooks fast and soaks up flavor. For vegetables, use a colorful mix of broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots. Pre-cut options are great if you’re short on time.
The Signature Bang Bang Sauce
This sauce is what brings everything together. It’s a quick mix of mayo, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, and a splash of lime juice. Adjust the heat or sweetness to your liking. Want it extra spicy? Add more sriracha. Prefer it milder? Go easy on the heat.
Optional Garnishes to Elevate Your Bowl
Green onions, sesame seeds, avocado slices, or even chopped cilantro all add fresh texture. A few extra dots of sriracha over the top give it a spicy edge. You could also pair this with something crisp and cold like cucumber kimchi for a refreshing side.
How to Make a Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Step 1 – Cook the Rice First
Start with the rice so it’s ready when everything else is done. White, brown, or cauliflower rice all work. Cook according to the package and set it aside, covered, so it stays warm.
Step 2 – Sauté the Chicken Just Right
Cut the chicken into small chunks and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer if needed — you want 165°F.
Step 3 – Mix and Customize the Sauce
While the chicken cooks, stir together the mayo, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, and lime juice in a small bowl. Taste it. Adjust the balance if you like. Want it tangier? Add more lime. Sweeter? More honey.
Step 4 – Add the Veggies, Then Toss with Sauce
Once the chicken is cooked, add your vegetables directly to the skillet. Cook for about 2–3 minutes until they’re tender but still have some bite. Then remove the pan from heat and pour in the sauce. Stir until everything’s well coated.
Step 5 – Assemble, Garnish, and Serve
Scoop warm rice into bowls, then top with the saucy chicken and veggies. Add your favorite garnishes. Drizzle with more sriracha if you like it hot, or top with avocado for creamy contrast. It’s ready to eat.
Tips for Success
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan
Give your chicken room to sear. If it’s packed too tight, it’ll steam instead of brown. Work in batches if needed.
Adjust the Spice Level to Taste
The beauty of bang bang sauce is how customizable it is. If you’re serving kids, keep it mild. If you’re a heat-lover, double up on the sriracha.
Save Time with Shortcuts
Use pre-cut veggies or leftover chicken to speed things up. You can even swap in rotisserie chicken — try this how to turn leftover rotisserie chicken into fritters guide for more ideas.
Serving Ideas & Variations
Tasty Toppings and Garnishes
Top your bowl with chopped peanuts for crunch or a squeeze of lime for brightness. A sprinkle of sesame seeds adds texture and looks great too.
Make It Low-Carb or Vegetarian
Swap rice for cauliflower rice to cut carbs. Want a meatless version? Use crispy tofu or chickpeas instead of chicken. The sauce still makes it a hit.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Refrigeration Guidelines
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep rice and chicken separate if possible so they reheat evenly.
Reheating for Best Texture
Warm in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to keep it from drying out. Microwave works too — cover loosely and stir halfway through.
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl (Quick, Creamy & Spicy Dinner in 25 Minutes)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A creamy, spicy, and sweet chicken dinner served over rice with veggies — ready in just 25 minutes and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)
1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower)
1 cup mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon lime juice
Instructions
1. Cook rice according to package instructions. Set aside.
2. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté chicken until golden brown and cooked through (6–8 minutes). Use meat thermometer to ensure 165°F internal temperature.
4. Mix sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Adjust sriracha and honey to taste.
5. Add mixed vegetables to skillet and cook with chicken for 2–3 minutes until tender but crisp.
6. Remove skillet from heat, add sauce, and stir to coat evenly.
7. Serve over rice. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, or extra sriracha as desired.
Notes
Use meat thermometer to ensure safe cooking.
Don’t overcrowd skillet for even browning.
Adjust sauce for desired spice/sweetness.
Use cauliflower rice for low-carb version.
Pre-cut veggies can save prep time.
Garnishes: green onions, sesame seeds, avocado slices, cilantro.
Side suggestion: cucumber salad for freshness.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days in airtight container. Reheat thoroughly before consuming.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American, Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Explore Similar Recipes
If you love bold flavor and quick prep, don’t miss our creamy crockpot chicken for busy weeknights or this black pepper chicken with bold flavors. Both are great weeknight go-tos and full of satisfying taste.
FAQs About Bang Bang Chicken Bowls
Is Bang Bang Chicken served hot or cold?
It’s usually served hot, especially when freshly sautéed with sauce. However, the leftovers can also be enjoyed cold, especially in a salad or wrap.
Why do they call it Bang Bang Chicken?
The name comes from a traditional Chinese street food where the chicken is tenderized by “banging” it with a stick or mallet. In modern recipes, it’s more about that punchy flavor.
What vegetables go well with Bang Bang Chicken?
Broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, and shredded cabbage all pair well. You want veggies with crunch and color to balance the creamy sauce.
What does Bang Bang Chicken taste like to eat?
It’s creamy, spicy, sweet, and savory all in one bite. The sauce coats the chicken perfectly, and when paired with rice and crisp veggies, it’s satisfying and full of flavor.
Final Thoughts
A Bowl That Checks Every Box
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl brings together everything I love in a weeknight dinner — it’s fast, flavorful, and feels comforting in all the right ways. The tender bites of chicken get a little crisp around the edges, then get coated in that creamy-spicy bang bang sauce that’s honestly kind of addictive. Meanwhile, the fresh veggies bring color and crunch, and the rice underneath soaks up every bit of saucy goodness.
What I really love about this bowl is how flexible it is. You can use whatever veggies you have in the fridge, add more or less heat depending on your mood, or even swap in cauliflower rice or tofu if that’s more your style. And the whole thing comes together in under 30 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy evenings when you still want something that tastes homemade.
It’s one of those meals that feels satisfying without being heavy, and fun without needing a big fuss. Plus, leftovers reheat beautifully the next day for lunch. Try it once, and you might just find yourself making it again next week. It’s the kind of dish that earns its spot in the regular rotation — simple, reliable, and full of flavor.
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