Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

Introduction & Inspiration

I’m always searching for exciting, flavorful meal bowls that are easy to whip up at home and taste like a restaurant treat. This recipe for a Homemade Bang Bang Chicken Bowl immediately caught my attention! Inspired by the incredibly popular “Bang Bang Shrimp®” from Bonefish Grill and similar creamy, sweet-spicy sauces, this bowl promises tender chicken and crisp veggies served over rice, all generously drizzled with that addictive signature sauce.

My inspiration came from wanting to recreate those irresistible flavors in a healthier, customizable bowl format. While the original often features fried protein, this version focuses on simply cooked chicken (which you can pan-sear, bake, or even air-fry!) and fresh vegetables, making it a more approachable weeknight meal.

My goal is to guide you through creating this vibrant and satisfying bowl, including making a quick and easy homemade Bang Bang-style sauce. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy those craveable flavors without leaving your kitchen!

Let’s get ready to make some “bangin'” chicken bowls!

Nostalgic Appeal / Comfort Food Connection

The “Bang Bang” flavor profile, with its creamy, sweet, tangy, and spicy notes, has quickly become a modern comfort food classic for many. It’s a popular appetizer at chain restaurants and a flavor that people often seek to replicate at home. This bowl taps directly into that contemporary craving.

While the specific “Bang Bang” sauce is relatively new in the grand scheme of things, rice bowls featuring seasoned chicken and vegetables have a timeless, comforting appeal found in many cuisines worldwide. They feel nourishing, satisfying, and complete.

This recipe combines the excitement of a trendy sauce with the familiar comfort of a chicken and rice bowl, creating a meal that feels both current and satisfyingly homey.

Making this at home allows you to enjoy those restaurant-favorite flavors with fresh ingredients and the satisfaction of a homemade meal.

Homemade Focus (Easy Chicken & Signature Sauce)

This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl recipe is a wonderful example of how easy it is to create a restaurant-inspired meal at home using simple techniques and fresh components. The focus is on quickly cooking the chicken, preparing fresh or frozen vegetables, and whipping up a simple yet incredibly flavorful homemade Bang Bang-style sauce.

I love recipes that break down into manageable parts. You’ll season and cook the chicken, steam or lightly stir-fry your mixed vegetables, and cook your rice. The real star, however, is the homemade sauce – a quick blend of a few key ingredients that deliver that signature creamy, sweet, and spicy kick.

Making the sauce yourself allows you to control the spice level and sweetness, using ingredients like mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce (which I’m suggesting as key additions for the classic flavor), Sriracha, honey, and lime juice. This ensures a fresh, vibrant taste.

From prepping the chicken to whisking the sauce and assembling the colorful bowls, the process emphasizes straightforward homemade steps for a truly delicious and customizable result.

Flavor Goal

The primary flavor goal of this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a delightful explosion of savory chicken, crisp-tender vegetables, and fluffy rice, all generously coated in a creamy, sweet, tangy, and spicy Bang Bang sauce. It aims for a balanced yet exciting flavor profile with multiple textures.

The chicken breast, seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, provides the savory protein base.

The mixed vegetables offer color, freshness, and a tender-crisp texture.

The cooked white rice serves as a neutral, fluffy foundation to soak up the delicious sauce.

The Bang Bang sauce is crucial: mayonnaise provides creaminess; sweet chili sauce adds sweetness and a gentle chili note; Sriracha brings the signature heat; honey contributes more sweetness and helps with consistency; and lime juice adds essential tang and brightness to cut through the richness. The garlic powder (in chicken seasoning) and olive oil (for cooking) also contribute to the overall savory profile.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s explore the components, including my suggestions for a more classic Bang Bang sauce:

• Chicken breast, boneless skinless: Lean protein. Cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking.
• Garlic powder, Salt, Pepper: Simple seasoning for the chicken.
• Mixed veggies: Adds color, nutrients, and texture. A frozen blend (like peas, carrots, corn, green beans) is convenient. Fresh veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas also work.
• Cooked white rice: The classic base. Brown rice or quinoa can substitute.
• Olive oil: For cooking the chicken.

Suggested Bang Bang Sauce Components (Building on listed Condiments):

• Mayonnaise: Essential for the creamy base of a classic Bang Bang sauce. (Suggesting 1/2 cup)
• Sweet Chili Sauce: Provides sweetness and mild chili flavor, another key component. (Suggesting 1/4 cup)
• Sriracha: Adds the signature spicy kick. (2 tbsp listed – adjust to taste!)
• Honey: Contributes sweetness. (1 tbsp listed)
• Lime juice: Adds tanginess and brightness. (1 tsp listed – might want more for balance)
• (Optional for sauce: A dash of rice vinegar for more tang, or a touch more sesame oil if you have it from another recipe for nuttiness, though not in this list).

The balance of mayo, sweet chili, Sriracha, honey, and lime is key to the sauce.

Essential Equipment

You’ll need basic kitchen tools:

• A Skillet or Wok: For cooking the chicken and potentially stir-frying fresh vegetables.
• A Pot: For cooking rice (if not using pre-cooked).
• Mixing bowls: One for combining sauce ingredients, potentially one for seasoning chicken.
• A Whisk: For making the sauce smooth.
• A Cutting board and knife: For dicing chicken and prepping any fresh vegetables or garnishes.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Serving bowls.

Standard kitchen equipment is all you need.

List of Ingredients with Suggested Measurements

Based on your list and incorporating typical Bang Bang sauce elements, here’s a plausible list (adjust to your taste!):

Chicken & Base:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking chicken)
• 1 cup (uncooked) long-grain white rice, yielding 2-3 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup mixed veggies (fresh or frozen, like peas, carrots, corn, bell peppers)

Bang Bang Sauce (Enhanced Suggestion):

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
• 1-2 tbsp Sriracha (adjust to heat preference, recipe listed 2 tbsp)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1-2 tsp lime juice (recipe listed 1 tsp)
• (Optional: ½ tsp garlic powder if not seasoning chicken heavily)
• (Optional: 1 tsp toasted sesame oil for aroma)

Garnish (Optional, from previous similar recipes):

• Sliced green onions
• Toasted sesame seeds

These quantities should make about 2-4 flavorful bowls.

Have chicken diced and rice cooked before starting the sauce and final assembly.

Step-by-Step Instructions (Easy Bowl Assembly!)

Let’s build these delicious Bang Bang Chicken Bowls:

1. Prepare Rice and Vegetables:

• Cook 1 cup of uncooked white rice according to package instructions to yield 2-3 cups of cooked rice. Keep warm.
• If using fresh mixed vegetables, chop them into bite-sized pieces. If using frozen, they can often be added directly or thawed briefly. Steam or lightly stir-fry your chosen mixed vegetables until tender-crisp. Set aside.

2. Cook the Chicken:

• Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breast into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Pat the chicken dry and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
• Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the hot skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C). Remove from skillet and set aside.

3. Make the Bang Bang Sauce:

• While the chicken cooks or rests, prepare the sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha (start with less and add more to taste), honey, and lime juice. (Add optional garlic powder or toasted sesame oil here if using).
• Whisk until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, you can add a teaspoon of warm water at a time to reach desired consistency, but it should be a thick, drizzly sauce.

4. Assemble the Bowls:

• Divide the warm cooked rice among your serving bowls.
• Arrange a portion of the cooked mixed vegetables alongside or over the rice.
• Top with a generous serving of the cooked chicken pieces.
• Drizzle the Bang Bang sauce generously over the chicken, vegetables, and rice.

5. Garnish and Serve:

• Garnish with optional sliced green onions and/or toasted sesame seeds.
• Serve the Bang Bang Chicken Bowls immediately while the chicken and rice are warm.

A vibrant, flavorful meal ready in simple steps!

Troubleshooting

Even with simple bowls, small issues can arise:

• Problem: Chicken is dry or tough.
  • Solution: Don’t overcook the chicken breast pieces. Cook them just until they reach 165°F (74°C) internally. Using chicken thighs (boneless, skinless, cut up) can result in juicier meat.
• Problem: Vegetables are soggy.
  • Solution: If stir-frying fresh vegetables, cook them quickly over high heat until just tender-crisp. If using frozen, ensure they aren’t overcooked; often, just heating them through is enough.
• Problem: Bang Bang Sauce is too spicy/sweet/tangy.
  • Solution: Taste and adjust! Start with less Sriracha if sensitive to heat. Add more honey if too tangy, or more lime juice if too sweet. Mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce brands also vary in sweetness/tang.
• Problem: Sauce is too thick or too thin.
  • Solution: Whisk in a tiny bit of warm water (1 tsp at a time) to thin a thick sauce. If too thin (unlikely with mayo base), ensure accurate measurements; some sweet chili sauces are thinner than others.

Adjust sauce components to your personal preference!

Tips and Variations

Let’s customize these exciting bowls:

• Tip (Crispier Chicken): For a texture closer to restaurant Bang Bang chicken, lightly coat the seasoned chicken pieces in cornstarch before pan-frying. For an even crispier (though less healthy) version, you could bread and shallow-fry or air-fry the chicken.
• Variation: Use shrimp instead of chicken for a classic Bang Bang Shrimp Bowl. Cook shrimp quickly until pink. Crispy fried tofu would be a great vegetarian option.
• Tip: Use a base of quinoa or cauliflower rice instead of white rice for a different nutritional profile.
• Variation: Add other vegetables like shredded carrots, edamame, sliced cucumber, or red bell pepper to the bowls for more color and crunch.
• Tip: Make a double batch of the Bang Bang sauce – it’s delicious on many things and keeps well in the fridge!
• Variation: Add a teaspoon of rice vinegar to the sauce for extra tang, or a dash of garlic powder if you love garlic.
• Variation: Sprinkle with chopped peanuts or cashews for extra crunch along with the green onions and sesame seeds.

Build your ultimate Bang Bang Bowl!

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

These Bang Bang Chicken Bowls are a fantastic complete meal.

Serving: Serve assembled in bowls immediately while components are at their best temperature (warm chicken/rice, cool/room temp veggies/sauce).

Pairing:

• Standalone Meal: Provides protein, carbs, vegetables, and flavor-packed sauce.
• Extra Crunch: A few crispy wonton strips on top would be a nice textural addition.
• Freshness: Offer extra lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
• Beverages: Iced tea, lemonade, or a light lager beer would complement the flavors well. Drink with moderation.

Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend lunch.

Nutritional Information

This bowl features lean protein, rice, and a creamy, spicy sauce. Nutritional info is approximate (per bowl, assuming 4 servings, will vary greatly with sauce ingredients and amounts):

• Calories: 450-650+ (Mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce contribute significantly)
• Fat: 20-35+ grams
• Saturated Fat: 3-7+ grams
• Cholesterol: 70-100+ mg
• Sodium: 600-1000+ mg (Sriracha, sweet chili, soy in some sauces, added salt)
• Total Carbs.: 40-60 grams (Primarily from rice, honey, sweet chili)
• Dietary Fiber: 3-6 grams
• Sugars: 10-20+ grams (From honey, sweet chili sauce)
• Protein: 30-40+ grams

A high-protein meal. Fat and sugar content primarily comes from the sauce; using light mayonnaise or adjusting sweetener amounts can modify this. Sodium can be high; choose lower-sodium sauce components if possible.

Print

Recipe Summary and Q&A

Let’s conclude with a summary and common questions:

Recipe Summary:

Homemade Bang Bang Chicken Bowls feature seasoned, cooked chicken breast pieces and mixed vegetables served over a bed of rice, all generously drizzled with a creamy, sweet, tangy, and spicy Bang Bang-style sauce. The sauce is typically made with a base of mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce, flavored with Sriracha, honey, and lime juice.

Q&A:

Q: Can I make components ahead for meal prep? A: Yes! Cook the rice and chicken ahead. Prepare the vegetables. Make the Bang Bang sauce and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator (it often tastes even better the next day!). Assemble bowls just before serving, reheating chicken and rice if desired.

Q: How long does the Bang Bang sauce last? A: Homemade Bang Bang sauce, stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, should last for up to 5-7 days.

Q: Can I freeze leftover components? A: Cooked rice and cooked chicken freeze well separately. The Bang Bang sauce (mayonnaise-based) does not freeze well, as it can separate upon thawing. It’s best made fresh or stored refrigerated.

Q: What’s the best way to cook the chicken for this bowl? A: Pan-searing diced chicken as described is quick and easy. You could also use leftover grilled chicken, baked chicken, or even shredded rotisserie chicken.

Q: Is this recipe very spicy? A: The heat level depends almost entirely on the amount of Sriracha you use. Start with less if you’re sensitive to spice, and you can always add more or serve extra Sriracha on the side.