Hello, my friends! Chef Andrew here.
Let’s talk about the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl. It’s one of those magical dishes that hits every note: it’s a little sweet, a little spicy, wonderfully creamy, and packed with fresh, crunchy textures. It’s the kind of meal that makes you excited for dinner.
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But many homemade versions I’ve tried fall just a little bit flat. The sauce is good, the chicken is fine, but it doesn’t have that “wow” factor. It doesn’t have that addictive quality that makes you think about it the next day. It’s missing the bang.
Well, today, that changes. I’m not just giving you a recipe; I’m letting you in on a professional secret. It’s 1 simple trick—a tiny change in your process—that elevates the chicken from just a protein vehicle to the undisputed star of the show.
This is the technique that will make your version truly unforgettable. Are you ready to make the best Bang Bang Chicken Bowl of your life? Let’s head to the kitchen.
This 1 Simple Trick Makes an Unforgettable Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Air Fryer (optional)
- Large Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1 1/4 cups mayonnaise
- 2/3 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha or more, to taste
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Assembly
- 4 cups prepared white rice warmed
- 2 cups red cabbage thinly sliced
- 1 large carrot julienned
- 1 medium cucumber halved and sliced
- 1 large avocado thinly sliced
- fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish
- sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- To a medium bowl, add mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, and Sriracha. Stir until smooth and fully combined. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil. Once hot, add paprika and garlic powder and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant (the chef’s secret trick!).
- Add the cubed chicken (seasoned with salt and pepper) to the hot, spiced oil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked to 165°F.
- Turn off the heat. Add ½ cup of the prepared bang bang sauce directly to the pan with the chicken. Toss to coat every piece evenly.
- To assemble, divide the warm rice among 4 bowls. Top with red cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers.
- Add equal portions of the saucy bang bang chicken and sliced avocado to each bowl.
- Garnish each bowl with a drizzle of the remaining bang bang sauce, fresh cilantro, and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Notes
More Recipes You’ll Love:
5 Simple Secrets for a Mind-Blowing Taco Rice Bowl
Irresistible Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne (Ready in 20 Minutes!)
Or go to my Pinterest.
The Secret Revealed: Bloom Your Spices First
Alright, here it is. The trick that makes all the difference: Bloom your spices in hot oil before adding the chicken.
It sounds incredibly simple, but I promise you, it is a culinary game-changer.
Instead of just tossing the chicken cubes with oil and spices in a bowl, we’re going to create a flavor-infused oil first. You simply heat the oil in your skillet, add the spices (paprika, garlic powder), and let them sizzle for about 30 seconds until they become incredibly fragrant. Then, you add the seasoned chicken to cook in this supercharged oil.
Why is this tiny step so powerful?
- Unlocks Deeper Flavor: Spices contain oil-soluble flavor compounds. Heating them directly in oil (a process called “blooming”) unlocks their full aromatic potential in a way that just mixing them cold never can. The paprika becomes smokier, and the garlic powder becomes richer and nuttier.
- Creates a Flavor Foundation: This method ensures every single piece of chicken is seared with a deep, savory, and aromatic crust. It’s a foundational layer of flavor that works with the Bang Bang sauce, not just gets covered by it.
- It’s How a Restaurant Would Do It: This is a classic technique used in professional kitchens to build maximum flavor, fast. It’s the difference between amateur and pro-level cooking.
By doing this, you’re not just cooking chicken; you’re building layers of flavor from the ground up, guaranteeing your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is anything but boring.
A Chef’s Guide to Your Ingredients of Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
A dish is only as good as its components. For a perfect bowl, we need to understand the role each ingredient plays.
For the Perfectly Flavored Chicken:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cut into uniform 1-inch cubes. This ensures every piece cooks evenly and quickly, staying juicy on the inside.
- Vegetable Oil: A neutral oil with a high smoke point is perfect for blooming our spices and searing the chicken.
- Paprika, Garlic Powder, Salt & Pepper: This is our flavor base. The paprika adds color and a subtle smokiness, while the garlic powder provides a savory depth that we’ll amplify with our blooming trick.
For the Vibrant Bowl Assembly:
- White Rice: The perfect fluffy, neutral base to soak up any extra sauce. Jasmine or basmati rice works wonderfully here.
- Red Cabbage, Carrots, & Cucumber: This is our crunch trio! They provide essential freshness, vibrant color, and a satisfying textural contrast to the creamy chicken.
- Avocado: Adds a cool, creamy element that balances the spice of the sauce beautifully.
- Cilantro & Sesame Seeds: Our finishing touches. Cilantro adds a fresh, herbaceous pop, and sesame seeds provide a nutty aroma and visual appeal.
Step-by-Step: The Unforgettable Method of Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Follow these instructions closely, especially my chef’s trick in the chicken step, for a truly exceptional Bang Bang Chicken Bowl.
Step 1: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
This is the easy part. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, and Sriracha. Whisk it all together until it’s completely smooth, glossy, and uniform in color. Set it aside.
- Chef’s Note: You can make this sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavors will meld and get even better!
Step 2: Season the Chicken
In a large bowl, place your 1-inch chicken cubes. Season them generously on all sides with the kosher salt and black pepper. We’ll be adding the other spices directly to the pan.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken (The Secret Trick!)
Now for the magic. If you are using an air fryer, you can toss the chicken with the oil and all spices and cook as directed. But for the absolute best flavor, use the skillet method.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the paprika and garlic powder directly to the oil. Stir for about 30 seconds until you can smell the spices and they “bloom.”
- Immediately add your seasoned chicken to the skillet in a single layer. Let it cook for 4-5 minutes per side without moving it too much. You want to get a beautiful golden-brown crust.
- Cook until the chicken is golden and has reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 4: Sauce the Chicken
Turn off the heat. Pour about ½ cup of your prepared Bang Bang sauce directly into the hot skillet with the chicken. Toss everything together until every single piece of chicken is generously coated in that creamy, dreamy sauce.
Step 5: The Art of the Assembly
Building your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is half the fun. You eat with your eyes first!
- Grab four medium-sized bowls.
- Start with a base of 1 cup of warm prepared rice in each.
- Create sections for your vegetables. Add a pile of shredded red cabbage, a nest of julienned carrots, and a fan of sliced cucumbers to each bowl. The color contrast is what makes it so appealing.
- Gently place a generous portion of the saucy Bang Bang chicken in the center.
- Fan out thin slices of avocado next to the chicken.
- Finish your masterpiece with a generous drizzle of the remaining Bang Bang sauce, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, and a shower of fresh, chopped cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy the applause.
Pro Tips and Customizations of Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
A great recipe should inspire you. Here are a few ways to make this your own:
- Protein Swap: This method works beautifully with shrimp! Just reduce the cooking time to 2-3 minutes per side. You can also use crispy tofu for a vegetarian version.
- Base Swap: Not a fan of rice? Use quinoa for a protein boost, or use mixed greens for a low-carb version of a Bang Bang Chicken Bowl.
- Add More Crunch: Toasted peanuts or crispy fried onions would be a fantastic addition for even more texture.
- Meal Prep Like a Pro: Cook the chicken and rice ahead of time. Store the sauce separately. Chop the veggies and store them in an airtight container. When you’re ready to eat, just assemble and go!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Here are the answers to some common questions about this incredible dish.
1. What side goes well with bang bang chicken Bowl?
Because a Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a complete meal, it doesn’t need a traditional side. However, steamed or roasted broccoli, edamame, or a simple side of pineapple slices would complement the flavors nicely.
2. What does bang bang chicken taste like?
It’s a flavor explosion! The primary taste is creamy and sweet from the mayonnaise and chili sauce, followed by a mild to medium spiciness from the Sriracha, and a deep savory flavor from the seasoned chicken.
3. What makes a dish “bang bang”?
The “bang bang” name comes from the signature sauce, which is a creamy, sweet, and spicy mayonnaise-based sauce, typically made with Thai sweet chili sauce. Any dish featuring this iconic sauce can be called “bang bang.”
4. How do you make bang bang chicken bowl simply cook?
The simplest way is to use an air fryer. Just toss the chicken cubes with oil and all the seasonings, air fry at 400°F for 11-12 minutes, and then toss with the pre-made sauce.
5. Why is it called bang bang chicken?
The name is believed to originate from the sound of the street vendors in Sichuan, China, who would tenderize the chicken by pounding it with a mallet, creating a “bang bang” sound. While most modern recipes (including this one) don’t involve pounding, the delicious name has stuck.
6. What to eat with chicken healthy?
To keep a chicken meal healthy, pair it with a large portion of non-starchy vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, bell peppers, and zucchini. Also, include a source of complex carbohydrates like quinoa, brown rice, or sweet potatoes.
I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and experience for yourself what a difference that one simple trick makes. It takes a good meal and turns it into an unforgettably delicious one.
Happy Cooking!