Bang Bang Chicken & Rice Bowl Recipe
This Bang Bang Chicken & Rice Bowl is a flavorful and satisfying dish featuring crispy fried chicken coated in a spicy, tangy bang bang sauce, served over a bed of fragrant jasmine or brown rice with fresh vegetables. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this bowl combines crunchy, creamy, and fresh textures with a delicious kick.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Chicken and Coating
- 2 chicken breasts or boneless thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Bang Bang Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1½ tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp sriracha
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
Bowl Assembly
- 1 cup cooked jasmine or brown rice
- 1 cup shredded mixed greens
- ½ cup cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, julienned or ribboned
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges, for garnish
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to a bowl and pour over the buttermilk. Let the chicken soak for at least 15 minutes, which helps keep it tender and juicy during cooking.
- Prep the Coating: In a shallow bowl, combine the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. This mixture will provide a flavorful and crispy coating for the chicken.
- Fry the Chicken: Dredge the marinated chicken pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess coating. Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Transfer the fried chicken onto paper towels or a wire rack to drain excess oil.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until smooth and well combined. This creamy and spicy sauce is key to the dish’s signature flavor.
- Toss and Assemble: Just before serving, toss the crispy fried chicken in the bang bang sauce until evenly coated. To assemble your bowls, layer cooked rice, shredded mixed greens, sliced cucumber, and julienned carrot. Top with the sauced chicken and finish with chopped cilantro and lime wedges for garnish.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts with boneless thighs for juicier meat.
- Use brown rice instead of jasmine rice for a nuttier flavor and more fiber.
- Adjust sriracha quantity in the sauce for desired heat level.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to avoid greasy chicken.
- Prepare the sauce in advance for easier assembly at serving time.
- Use fresh lime wedges to add a bright, citrusy finish that complements the spicy sauce.
Keywords: Bang Bang Chicken, Fried Chicken, Rice Bowl, Spicy Chicken, Asian Chicken Bowl, Crispy Chicken, Sweet Chili Sauce, Weeknight Dinner