Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl

Name: Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts or boneless thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces); ½ cup buttermilk (120 ml ); ½ cup cornstarch (60 g ); ½ cup all-purpose flour (60 g ); ½ tsp garlic powder (1 g ); ½ tsp smoked paprika (1 g); Salt and pepper (to taste); Vegetable oil (for frying); ¼ cup light mayonnaise (60 ml ); 1½ tbsp sweet chili sauce (22 ml ); 1 tbsp sriracha (15 ml); 1 tsp honey (5 ml ); 1 tsp rice vinegar (5 ml ); 1 cup jasmine or brown rice (195 g cooked ); 1 cup mixed greens (shredded ); ½ cup cucumber (thinly sliced ); 1 carrot (julienned or ribboned); Fresh cilantro (chopped); Lime wedges (for garnish)

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Jump to Recipe

This Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl is a quick, flavorful meal perfect for two! Crispy chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce is paired with fresh veggies and a bed of jasmine or brown rice. It’s easy to prepare, fun to customize, and perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep.

Looking for more easy chicken bowls? Try these Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls next.

A close-up of creamy, glazed Bang Bang Chicken pieces garnished with fresh cilantro, served alongside sliced cucumbers and carrots on a white plate.

Table of Contents

Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowls are a total game-changer for busy dinners!

The crispy chicken soaks up all the bold flavors while the fresh veggies add crunch and brightness.

This recipe is perfect for those who want a restaurant-style dish at home without the fuss.

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

Quick & Easy Prep: Minimal steps, big flavor.
Balanced Meal: Protein, grains, and fresh veggies in every bowl.
Customizable: Add avocado, snap peas, or a soft-boiled egg for extra flair.
Meal Prep Friendly: Cook in batches and store components separately for easy assembly during the week.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make these overnight oats with peanut butter powder:

Various fresh ingredients arranged on a white surface, including raw chicken pieces ideal for Chicken Rice, rice, leafy greens, sliced carrots, cucumber, sauces, spices, flour, and liquids in bowls and pitchers.

Ingredient Notes

Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Thighs are juicier, while breasts give a leaner option. Cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.

Buttermilk: Helps tenderize the chicken and gives a light tangy flavor. You can substitute with plain yogurt or milk mixed with a splash of vinegar if needed.

Flour & Cornstarch: The combination creates a crispy coating for the chicken. You can use all-purpose flour alone, but adding cornstarch increases crunch.

Spices: Garlic powder and smoked paprika add savory depth. Adjust salt, pepper, or paprika to taste.

Vegetable Oil: For frying. Can use canola, sunflower, or peanut oil. Make sure the oil is hot enough for a crispy coating.

Bang Bang Sauce: Mayonnaise creates a creamy base; sweet chili sauce and sriracha give heat and sweetness; honey adds a touch of natural sweetness; rice vinegar balances the flavors. Adjust spice levels to your preference.

Rice: Jasmine rice gives a fragrant, fluffy base, but brown rice works for a heartier, fiber-rich option.

Veggies & Garnish: Mixed greens, cucumber, carrot, and cilantro add freshness and crunch. Lime wedges provide bright acidity to balance the rich chicken.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Recipe Variations

Use boneless chicken thighs for extra juiciness.

Swap sriracha for sambal oelek if you prefer a different heat profile.

Add avocado, edamame, or pickled red onions for more texture and flavor.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl: Step by Step

Here are quick visual instructions. Be sure to check out the full instructions with exact ingredients in the printable recipe card below.

Sliced raw chicken pieces soaking in a bowl of milk, surrounded by various ingredients for a flavorful Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl, all arranged on a white tiled surface.

Step 1: Soak the bite-sized chicken pieces in the buttermilk for a minimum of 15 minutes.

A bowl with flour and seasonings being mixed for Bang Bang Chicken, surrounded by lime wedges, empty bowls, and other ingredients on a white tiled surface.

Step 2: In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to create the coating.

Raw chicken pieces being coated in flour on a plate, with tongs nearby and various bowls of ingredients—perfect prep for a flavorful Bang Bang Chicken or delicious Chicken Rice.

Step 3: Dredge the marinated chicken through the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.

Pieces of browned Bang Bang Chicken frying in a skillet with oil, with cooked pieces resting on a paper towel on the side—perfect for assembling your own Bang Bang Chicken Rice Bowl.

Step 4: Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat, then fry the coated chicken in batches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Drain the crispy chicken on paper towels or a wire rack.