If you’re craving a dish that feels like a comforting hug on a busy day, the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Spicy Mayo and Fresh Vegetables Recipe is exactly what you need. This vibrant bowl brings together crispy, tender chicken coated in a perfectly crunchy panko crust, drizzled with a luscious, spicy mayo that balances creamy with a little kick. Fresh vegetables provide a cool, crisp contrast while a bed of fragrant jasmine rice keeps every bite grounded. It’s a harmony of textures and flavors that’s both satisfying and refreshingly light, making it an instant family favorite or a fun meal to share with friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple but essential ingredients ensures that each component shines in this dish, delivering layers of taste, texture, and color that make the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Spicy Mayo and Fresh Vegetables Recipe truly unforgettable.
- Chicken breast or tenders (1 lb): Tender and lean, perfect for quick cooking and absorbing flavors.
- Cornstarch or all-purpose flour (1/2 cup): Creates the first coating layer that helps achieve crispiness.
- Large eggs, beaten (2): Acts as the binding agent for the breading to stick to the chicken.
- Panko breadcrumbs (1 cup): Gives that irresistible crunchy texture with every bite.
- Mayonnaise (1/2 cup): Provides creaminess and helps create the luscious spicy mayo sauce.
- Sweet chili sauce (1/4 cup): Adds sweetness and a touch of heat, complementing the chicken perfectly.
- Sriracha (1 to 2 tablespoons): Brings in a bold spicy kick adjusted to your heat preference.
- Cooked jasmine or basmati rice (2 cups): The fragrant base that soaks up all those wonderful flavors.
- Shredded lettuce or cabbage (1 cup): Adds a refreshing crunch and vibrant green color.
- Julienned carrots (1/2 cup): Offers a sweet earthiness and lively orange hue.
- Sliced cucumber (1/2 cup): Provides cool brightness and a clean finish.
- Chopped green onions (2 tablespoons): Garnishes with a mild onion flavor and visual appeal.
- Sesame seeds (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle nuttiness and lovely texture contrast.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Spicy Mayo and Fresh Vegetables Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Pieces
Start by cutting the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces, making them easy to eat and perfect for coating. Patting them dry is crucial to help the breading stick better and crisp up beautifully.
Step 2: Set Up Your Batter Station
Create three separate bowls: one with cornstarch or flour, another with beaten eggs, and a third with panko breadcrumbs. This classic dredging setup is the foundation for that signature crunchy coating.
Step 3: Bread the Chicken
Dip each chicken piece first in the flour or cornstarch, then into the egg, and finally coat generously with panko breadcrumbs. This triple step ensures every piece will be extra crispy once cooked.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken to Golden Perfection
You have two fantastic options here: bake the chicken in a preheated oven at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes or air fry at 390°F for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Either method guarantees a golden, crunchy exterior while keeping the chicken juicy inside.
Step 5: Whip Up the Spicy Mayo Sauce
While the chicken cooks, mix together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha in a bowl. This luscious bang bang sauce brings the right balance of creaminess, sweetness, and heat that makes the dish so addictive.
Step 6: Assemble Your Bowl
Layer your serving bowls starting with a fluffy bed of cooked rice, followed by shredded lettuce or cabbage, julienned carrots, and sliced cucumbers. This build creates a fresh and colorful foundation ready to be topped with crispy chicken.
Step 7: Add the Finishing Touches
Place the crispy chicken pieces on top of your fresh vegetable layers, drizzle generously with the spicy mayo sauce, and sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for that perfect, eye-catching finish.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Spicy Mayo and Fresh Vegetables Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds not only adds a burst of flavor but also makes the presentation pop with color and texture that invites you to dig right in.
Side Dishes
This bowl stands beautifully on its own but pairs wonderfully with light sides like a crisp cucumber salad, some steamed edamame, or even simple miso soup for a fuller meal experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl in individual mason jars for an on-the-go lunch or create a family-style platter where everyone can scoop their own mix. You can also switch up the rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a fun twist on this favorite recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken and vegetables separately from the rice in airtight containers in the refrigerator to keep textures intact. The bang bang sauce should be kept in a sealed jar or bowl for freshness.
Freezing
The crispy chicken can be frozen after cooking; just lay the pieces on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer bag. Avoid freezing the fresh vegetables or sauce as they don’t withstand freezing well.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken in the oven or air fryer to restore its crispiness, and warm the rice in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add fresh vegetables and sauce just before serving to maintain their vibrant flavors and crunch.
FAQs
Can I use thighs instead of chicken breast?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add more juiciness and a slightly richer flavor, but you may want to adjust cooking time slightly as thighs are thicker and have more fat.
How spicy is the bang bang sauce?
The heat level is quite adjustable by modifying the amount of sriracha you add. Start with one tablespoon if you prefer mild heat, and increase to two for a bolder kick.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs and ensure your sweet chili sauce is gluten-free as well. Cornstarch is naturally gluten-free and works perfectly for dredging.
Can this dish be made vegetarian?
For a vegetarian twist, you can swap chicken with crispy tofu or cauliflower florets coated and cooked similarly. The flavorful bang bang sauce and fresh vegetables keep the dish delicious.
What rice works best for this recipe?
Jasmine or basmati rice are ideal for their fragrance and fluffy texture, but feel free to use any rice you prefer, including brown rice for a heartier bowl.
Final Thoughts
Nothing beats the feel-good combination of crunchy, spicy chicken paired with fresh veggies and creamy sauce like this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Spicy Mayo and Fresh Vegetables Recipe. It’s a dish that’s both comforting and exciting, easy enough for weeknights but special enough to impress company. Give it a go—you might just find your new go-to meal that everyone will love as much as you do!
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Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with Spicy Mayo and Fresh Vegetables Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes (oven) or 15 minutes (air fryer)
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American-Asian Fusion
Description
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl combines crispy, spicy chicken bites with a flavorful creamy bang bang sauce served over a fresh bed of rice and crisp vegetables. Perfectly balanced with sweet chili, sriracha heat, and crunchy textures, this dish makes an easy, satisfying meal ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1 lb chicken breast or tenders
- 1/2 cup cornstarch or all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sriracha
Bowl Components
- 2 cups cooked jasmine or basmati rice
- 1 cup shredded lettuce or cabbage
- 1/2 cup julienned carrots
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and pat them dry to ensure the coating sticks properly.
- Set up dredging stations: Arrange three bowls—one with cornstarch or flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs for coating.
- Coat the chicken: Dip each piece of chicken first into the flour, then into the egg, and finally coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs.
- Cook the chicken: For oven method: Bake the coated chicken at 400°F (204°C) for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and cooked through. For air fryer method: Air fry at 390°F (199°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.
- Make the bang bang sauce: In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha until smooth and creamy. Adjust sriracha to your preferred spice level.
- Assemble the bowls: In serving bowls, layer the cooked jasmine or basmati rice, shredded lettuce or cabbage, julienned carrots, and sliced cucumber evenly.
- Add the chicken: Place the crispy cooked chicken on top of the vegetable and rice base in each bowl.
- Finish with sauce and garnishes: Drizzle the bang bang sauce generously over the chicken. Garnish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- Serve: Serve the bowls warm for a satisfying meal packed with crunchy, spicy, and fresh flavors.
Notes
- You can choose to bake or air fry the chicken depending on your equipment and preference.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha in the bang bang sauce to control the spice level.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free panko and cornstarch instead of flour.
- Leftover bang bang sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Make sure to flip the chicken halfway through air frying to achieve even crispiness on all sides.
