If you’re looking for a bold, restaurant-style meal you can make at home, the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is it. This dish features crispy chicken bites tossed in a creamy, spicy-sweet bang bang sauce, all served over rice or noodles with fresh vegetables. Inspired by the famous bang bang shrimp, this chicken version has become a viral sensation thanks to its addictive flavor and Instagram-worthy presentation. It’s a quick, easy dinner idea that’s perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or casual entertaining.
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- shallow dish
- deep skillet or air fryer
- Tongs
- paper towels
- Whisk
- serving bowls
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 0.5 cup buttermilk (for marinating)
- 1 cup flour
- 0.5 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- vegetable oil (for frying or use air fryer/bake)
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise
- 0.25 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1-2 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
- 2 cups cooked rice, quinoa, or noodles
- 1 cup shredded cabbage or lettuce
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- sesame seeds for garnish
- lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Marinate chicken in buttermilk for at least 20 minutes (up to 4 hours).
- In a shallow dish, combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Remove chicken from marinade and dredge in flour mixture until fully coated.
- Heat oil in a deep skillet and fry chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels. (To bake: 400°F for 20 mins; Air fry: 375°F for 15 mins.)
- In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey until smooth. Adjust spice level as desired.
- In serving bowls, add rice, quinoa, or noodles as the base.
- Top with cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, or preferred vegetables.
- Add crispy chicken pieces on top of vegetables.
- Drizzle bang bang sauce over the chicken and bowls.
- Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and lime wedges. Serve immediately.
Notes
What is a Bang Bang Chicken Bowl?
A Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a layered meal that combines crispy chicken with a signature bang bang sauce made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. The chicken is coated, fried or baked until golden, then tossed in the sauce. Served over rice, quinoa, or noodles and topped with fresh vegetables, it’s a complete meal in one bowl. The name “bang bang” comes from the bold, punchy flavors of the sauce—it’s creamy, tangy, sweet, and spicy all at once.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe serves 4 people.
For the chicken
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
½ cup buttermilk (for marinating)
1 cup flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetable oil for frying (or use air fryer/baking option)
For the bang bang sauce
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
1–2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust to spice level)
1 tablespoon honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
For the bowls
2 cups cooked rice, quinoa, or noodles
1 cup shredded cabbage or lettuce
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
2 green onions, chopped
Sesame seeds for garnish
Lime wedges for serving
Substitutions
Healthier version: bake or air fry chicken instead of deep frying
Gluten-free: use cornstarch only for coating and gluten-free soy sauce if adding
Dairy-free: replace buttermilk with almond milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the chicken
Marinate chicken in buttermilk for at least 20 minutes (up to 4 hours).
In a shallow dish, combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Remove chicken from marinade and dredge in flour mixture until coated.
Heat oil in a deep skillet and fry chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 4–5 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels. (Alternatively, bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or air fry at 375°F for 15 minutes.)
Make the bang bang sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey until smooth. Adjust spice to taste.
Assemble the bowls
Place a scoop of rice, quinoa, or noodles in each bowl.
Add shredded cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, or any fresh veggies you like.
Top with crispy chicken bites.
Drizzle generously with bang bang sauce.
Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and lime wedges.
Tips for the Best Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Double the sauce if you like your bowls extra saucy.
For extra crunch, serve chicken immediately after frying.
Add variety with toppings like avocado slices, edamame, or pickled radishes.
Use brown rice or cauliflower rice for a healthier base.
Variations
Bang Bang Chicken Bowls are incredibly versatile. Try these ideas:
Bang Bang Shrimp Bowl: Substitute shrimp for chicken for a classic twist.
Bang Bang Tofu Bowl: Use crispy baked tofu for a vegetarian version.
Spicy noodle version: Serve over lo mein or rice noodles instead of rice.
Low-carb version: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
Storage and Meal Prep
Store leftover chicken and sauce separately to keep the chicken crispy. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat chicken in the oven or air fryer before adding to bowls. The sauce keeps for up to a week in a sealed container. Assemble bowls fresh when ready to eat.
Serving Ideas
Bang Bang Chicken Bowls are perfect for weeknight dinners, but they also make great meal prep lunches. Assemble the base of rice and veggies in containers, keep the chicken and sauce separate, and combine just before eating. For parties, set up a DIY bowl bar with rice, noodles, toppings, and chicken so everyone can build their own.
Nutrition Breakdown
One serving of Bang Bang Chicken Bowl (with rice and vegetables) contains about 500–550 calories, 30 grams of protein, 50 grams of carbs, and 20 grams of fat. Baking or air frying the chicken reduces the fat significantly.
Conclusion
Bang Bang Chicken Bowls are a flavor-packed, fun way to enjoy a restaurant-style meal at home. Crispy chicken bites, creamy spicy sauce, and fresh vegetables come together in a colorful bowl that’s as satisfying as it is delicious. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, this dish will become a weeknight favorite or party hit. Whether you prefer it fiery or mild, traditional or healthy, there’s a version of this bowl for everyone.
FAQs
Can I make bang bang sauce ahead of time?
Yes, store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Stir before using.
Is bang bang chicken spicy?
It has a mild to medium heat depending on how much sriracha you use. Adjust to taste.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, just thaw completely before marinating and coating.
What veggies work best in these bowls?
Shredded cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, and edamame are all great choices.
Can I make this recipe healthier?
Yes, bake or air fry the chicken and use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise in the sauce.