There are nights when dinner needs to be colorful, cozy, and a little bit bold. This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is exactly that—a quick skillet sear, a whisked-together creamy sauce, and a scatter of fresh veggies over warm rice. The first bite is a lively dance of textures: juicy chicken, cool cucumbers, buttery avocado, and that signature spicy-sweet sauce that makes you immediately go back for another forkful. Pull up a bowl; I’ll walk you through it like we’re cooking side by side.
Why You’ll Love It
- Fast & beginner-friendly – on the table in about 25 minutes.
- Big flavor, simple steps – a whisked sauce transforms basic chicken.
- Customizable bowls – swap rice, veggies, or heat level.
- Meal-prep ready – chicken and rice hold well for quick lunches.
- Balanced textures – creamy, crunchy, saucy, and satisfying.
Time Needed
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Cook: 15 minutes
- Total: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4 bowls
Ingredients
Chicken & Bowl
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (or thighs), cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp black pepper
- 3 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
- 1½ cups mixed veggies, diced (cucumber, bell pepper, or steamed broccoli)
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro or green onions
Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sriracha (more or less to taste)
- 1 tbsp honey (or keto sweetener)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp rice vinegar (optional for extra tang)
- Pinch of kosher salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the sauce
In a small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, lime juice, and rice vinegar. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness. Cover and chill while you cook. - Season the chicken
Pat chicken dry. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. - Sear to juicy perfection
Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Sear 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F). Transfer to a plate to rest. - Warm the rice & prep toppings
Fluff cooked rice with a fork. Slice avocado, chop cucumbers and tomatoes, and mince herbs. - Sauce & toss
Return chicken to skillet off the heat and spoon over 2–3 tbsp bang bang sauce, tossing to lightly coat (save the rest for drizzling). - Assemble bowls
Divide rice among four bowls. Top with sauced chicken, veggies, and avocado. Drizzle with more bang bang sauce and finish with cilantro or green onions.
Variations to Try
- Air Fryer Crunch – Toss seasoned chicken with 1 tsp cornstarch and air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, shaking once.
- Low-Carb Bowl – Swap rice for cauliflower rice and use sugar-free sweetener in the sauce.
- Peanut Kick – Stir 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter into the sauce for a satay vibe.
- Shrimp or Tofu – Use shrimp (cook 2–3 minutes per side) or crispy baked tofu for an easy swap.
Tips from Chef Emma
- Dry = golden. Pat chicken dry for the best sear.
- Don’t crowd the pan. Cook in batches so the chicken browns, not steams.
- Balance the sauce. Too spicy? Add a touch more mayo or honey. Too sweet? Extra lime.
- Meal prep smart. Store rice, chicken, and sauce separately; assemble just before eating to keep textures bright.
Nutrition Info per Serving*
- Calories: 520
- Carbs: 48g
- Sugars: 9g
- Fat: 22g
- Protein: 32g
- Sodium: 780mg
*Estimated with white rice and listed amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I bake the chicken instead of sautéing?
A: Yes—roast seasoned pieces at 425°F for 12–15 minutes, then toss with sauce.
Q: What rice works best?
A: Jasmine for fragrance, brown for nuttiness, or cauliflower rice for low-carb bowls.
Q: How spicy is it?
A: Medium heat as written. Reduce sriracha to 1 tbsp for mild or add crushed chili for extra fire.
Q: How long does it keep?
A: Up to 3 days refrigerated. Reheat chicken and rice, then add sauce and fresh toppings.
Conclusion / Final Thoughts
Bowls are my favorite weeknight magic trick: simple parts, bold payoff. This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl brings creamy heat, crisp veggies, and comfort in every bite. Save it for busy nights, prep a double batch for lunches, and make it your own with the swaps above. Dinner—done with a bang!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 bowls 1x
Description
Crispy-seared chicken over fluffy rice, crunchy veggies, and a creamy spicy-sweet bang bang sauce. A fast, customizable weeknight bowl done in about 25 minutes—beginner-friendly and meal-prep ready.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, bite-size
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower)
- 1 1/2 cups mixed veggies (cucumber, bell pepper, broccoli)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, sliced; cilantro/green onion for topping
- Bang Bang Sauce: 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp sriracha, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp lime juice, 1 tsp rice vinegar, pinch salt
Instructions
- Whisk sauce ingredients; chill.
- Toss chicken with 1 tbsp oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Sear in 1 tbsp oil over medium-high heat, 3–4 minutes per side, until 165°F.
- Fluff cooked rice; prep veggies and avocado.
- Off heat, toss chicken with a few tablespoons of sauce.
- Assemble bowls with rice, chicken, veggies, avocado; drizzle with more sauce and herbs.
Notes
For milder heat, use 1 tbsp sriracha. For low carb, use cauliflower rice and sugar-free sweetener. Air-fry chicken at 400°F for 10–12 minutes for extra crisp.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sauté
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: bang bang chicken bowl, easy chicken dinner, spicy sweet sauce, chicken and rice bowl, meal prep bowls