Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: Your New Weeknight Dinner Hero!
Tired of the same old chicken dinners? Say hello to your new favorite meal: the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl! This recipe is bursting with flavor, incredibly easy to make, and totally customizable to your preferences. Forget boring weeknight dinners – this bowl is a total game-changer. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner for the family or a healthy and satisfying meal for yourself, this recipe has you covered. Get ready to experience a delicious explosion of sweet, spicy, and savory goodness in every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavor Explosion: The bang bang sauce is the star of the show – sweet, spicy, and utterly addictive.
- Healthy & Customizable: Packed with protein and veggies, and easily adaptable to your dietary needs.
- Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters will love the delicious combination of flavors and textures.
- Versatile: Use chicken breast, shredded rotisserie chicken, or even tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch and enjoy it throughout the week.
Ingredients for Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
- Chicken Breast: 1.5 lbs, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces. You can easily use shredded chicken recipes as well, just use pre-cooked chicken.
- Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- Rice: Cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine – your choice!)
- Broccoli Florets: 1 head, cut into small pieces
- Sesame Seeds: For garnish
- Green Onions: Sliced, for garnish
- Vegetable Oil: For cooking
Substitutions: For a vegan option, use tofu instead of chicken and vegan mayonnaise. For gluten-free, ensure your sweet chili sauce is gluten-free. Brown rice offers additional nutrients over white rice. If you need ideas for a super quick dinner ideas you can even buy pre-cooked rice!
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. This helps it cook faster and ensures even coverage with the flavorful Bang Bang sauce.
- Cook the Broccoli: Steam or sauté the broccoli florets until tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes. You want them to be slightly softened but still have a nice bite. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until smooth. Adjust the amount of sriracha to your desired level of spiciness.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Pour the Bang Bang sauce over the cooked chicken in the skillet. Toss to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked rice among bowls. Top with the Bang Bang chicken and broccoli florets.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the bowls for added flavor and visual appeal. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Bang Bang Chicken Bowl!
Pro Tips & Variations
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Overcooked chicken will be dry and tough. Cook it just until it’s no longer pink inside and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Adjust the Spice Level: The amount of sriracha determines the spiciness of the sauce. Start with a small amount and add more to taste.
- Pre-Cooked Chicken: Using rotisserie chicken recipes or other pre-cooked chicken is an easy way to speed up the process. Buy a rotisserie chicken from the store and shred it for an even quicker meal!
Variations: Try adding other vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or edamame. For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. You can also use cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
Serving Suggestions
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with:
- Egg Rolls: Crispy egg rolls add a fun and flavorful side.
- Edamame: Steamed edamame provides a healthy and refreshing complement to the rich flavors of the bowl.
- Asian Slaw: A light and tangy Asian slaw helps to balance the sweetness of the sauce.
- Spring Rolls: Fresh spring rolls with peanut sauce are a delicious and refreshing appetizer.
Storage & Reheating
Storage: Store leftover Bang Bang Chicken Bowl components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not combine all wet ingredients as the rice will absorb all the liquid!
Reheating: Reheat the chicken and broccoli in a skillet or microwave until heated through. Reheat the rice separately. Assemble the bowl with the reheated components and garnish before serving. You can add a touch of water when reheating the chicken to stop it from drying out.
FAQ about Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can cook the chicken and broccoli ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. The sauce can also be made in advance. This makes meal prep a breeze, especially if you are looking for healthy dinner recipes.
Q: Can I use other proteins besides chicken?
A: Absolutely! Tofu, shrimp, or even ground turkey would work well in this recipe. If you are looking for healthy chicken recipes this is the perfect recipe!
Q: Is this recipe spicy?
A: The spiciness is easily adjustable. Start with a small amount of sriracha and add more to taste. You can also use a milder sweet chili sauce to reduce the heat. Making this one the more sought after easy meals to make!
Q: What kind of rice should I use?
A: Any type of rice will work! White rice, brown rice, or jasmine rice are all great options. Choose your favorite or whatever you have on hand. If you need a recipe check for recipes for chicken pasta recipes as the rice can be made similarly.
Final Thoughts on Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any night of the week. We know you’ll fall in love with the irresistible combination of flavors and the ease of preparation. It really is one of the top quick and easy dinner recipes!
Don’t forget to save this recipe to Pinterest so you can easily find it later! Be sure to leave a comment below letting us know what you thought, and subscribe to our newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips!
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
Equipment
- Large skillet,
- Small bowl
- Steamer or Sauté Pan
Ingredients
Chicken Breast
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons sriracha adjust to your spice preference
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- cooked rice white, brown, or jasmine – your choice
- 1 head broccoli florets cut into small pieces
- sesame seeds for garnish
- green onions sliced, for garnish
- vegetable oil for cooking
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. This helps it cook faster and ensures even coverage with the flavorful Bang Bang sauce.
- Cook the Broccoli: Steam or sauté the broccoli florets until tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes. You want them to be slightly softened but still have a nice bite. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until smooth. Adjust the amount of sriracha to your desired level of spiciness.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Pour the Bang Bang sauce over the cooked chicken in the skillet. Toss to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked rice among bowls. Top with the Bang Bang chicken and broccoli florets.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the bowls for added flavor and visual appeal. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Bang Bang Chicken Bowl!
