Ugh, weeknights, right? We’re all just trying to survive, and the last thing anyone wants to do is spend hours in the kitchen. My biggest craving? Flavor! And quick! That’s where this Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl comes in. Seriously, it’s a lifesaver. It’s so fast to throw together and completely customizable, so even the pickiest eaters will be happy.
I stumbled upon a version of this recipe years ago, and it’s been a staple ever since. I’ve tweaked it and perfected it (if I do say so myself!), and now it’s a regular request from my family. They go nuts for it! Honestly, if you’re looking for a delicious, easy meal that’s ready in a flash, this Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is IT. Trust me!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Okay, let’s be real. Why *will* you love this? Because it’s got EVERYTHING going for it!
Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner
Seriously, dinner’s on the table FAST with this one. No slaving away!
Customizable Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Swap out veggies, add more spice – make it YOURS!
Flavor Packed Bang Bang Chicken
That sauce? OMG! It’s the star of the whole show!
Ingredients for Your Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need for this amazing Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl:
- About 1 lb of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and you’ll want to chop ‘em into bite-sized, 1-inch pieces.
- Grab 1/4 cup of cornstarch – this makes the chicken nice and crispy!
- 2 tbsp of olive oil for cooking up that chicken to golden perfection.
- For the BANG BANG SAUCE: 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 2 tbsp of sweet chili sauce, 1 tbsp of sriracha (adjust to your spice level!), 1 tsp of rice vinegar, and 1/2 tsp of garlic powder. Don’t forget salt and pepper to taste!
- For serving, you’ll need cooked long-grain rice (my fave!), 1 cup of shredded carrots, 1 cup of sliced cucumber, 1/4 cup of chopped green onions, and 1 tbsp of sesame seeds for a final flourish!
Let’s Make Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, here’s the fun part! Let’s get cookin’! Don’t worry, it’s super easy, I promise. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have an amazing Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl in no time!
Preparing the Chicken for Your Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
First, grab a bowl and toss those chicken pieces with the cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Make sure every piece gets a nice coating. This is what makes it crispy later – trust me, don’t skip this!
Cooking the Perfect Bang Bang Chicken
Now, heat up that olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high heat. Careful, it can splatter! Add the chicken and cook it until it’s golden brown and cooked all the way through. That usually takes about 5-7 minutes. You want an internal temp of 165°F, just to be sure!
Creating the Signature Bang Bang Sauce
While the chicken’s cooking, let’s whip up that BANG BANG SAUCE! In a small bowl, just whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and garlic powder. Taste it and add more sriracha if you like it spicy!
Tips for the Best Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Wanna take your Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl to the NEXT LEVEL? Here are my secrets for making it absolutely perfect every time!
- Don’t crowd the pan when you’re cooking the chicken – it’ll steam instead of getting crispy! Work in batches if you need to.
- Seriously, use good quality mayonnaise! It makes a HUGE difference in the sauce.
- Make sure that chicken is cooked through (no one wants salmonella!), but don’t overcook it, or it’ll be dry and sad.
- Serve it up right away! This Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is best when it’s fresh and hot.
Adjusting the Spice Level in Your Bang Bang Chicken
Spice it up (or down!) with the sriracha. Start with a little and add more to taste. I like it HOT!
Serving Suggestions for Your Chicken Bowl
Get creative with your toppings! Sesame seeds, extra green onions, or even a drizzle of extra sweet chili sauce are all amazing.
Variations on the Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Okay, so you’ve nailed the basic Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl, right? Now let’s get a little wild and crazy! This recipe is just begging for you to put your own spin on it. Here are a few ideas to get you started!
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Shrimp
Don’t have chicken? No problem! Shrimp works AMAZINGLY well with this sauce. Just toss it in the cornstarch mixture and cook it up just like the chicken!
Vegetarian Easy Bang Bang Bowl Option
Tofu, baby! Press it, cube it, toss it in cornstarch, and fry it up until it’s crispy! The Bang Bang sauce is just as delicious with tofu. Seriously, give it a try!
Serving Suggestions for Your Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
So, you’ve got your amazing Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl all ready to go… but what else should you serve with it? Hmmm… I usually go for something light and fresh. Spring rolls are always a winner, or some edamame. Miso soup? YES! Or even just a simple side salad. You do you!
Storing Leftovers of Your Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Okay, so you made a *huge* batch of Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl (because it’s just THAT good!), and now you’ve got leftovers. No worries! Just store the chicken and rice separately in airtight containers in the fridge. They’ll be good for up to 3 days. Reheat ’em in the microwave or in a skillet until they’re nice and hot again. Boom! Lunch is served!
Nutritional Information for Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Okay, so you wanna know the nutritional info for this Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl? Here’s the deal: it’s tough to give exact numbers. It really depends on the brands you use and how big your servings are. So, just keep in mind that any info is just an estimate, okay?
Enjoy Your Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl!
Okay, that’s it! Go make this Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl! You’ll LOVE it, I promise! Leave a comment and let me know how it turned out! Share pics, too!
Print
Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: Conquer Cravings in 30 Min
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Easy and flavorful Bang Bang Chicken Bowl recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp sriracha (or more, to taste)
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked rice, for serving
- Shredded carrots, for serving
- Sliced cucumber, for serving
- Chopped green onions, for serving
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- While chicken is cooking, prepare the Bang Bang sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and garlic powder.
- Once chicken is cooked, pour the Bang Bang sauce over the chicken and toss to coat.
- Serve chicken over cooked rice.
- Top with shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, and chopped green onions.
- Garnish with sesame seeds.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of sriracha to your preference for spiciness.
- You can use pre-cooked rice to save time.
- Feel free to add other vegetables you enjoy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg