Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl for Busy Weeknights
If you’re looking for a bold, beginner-friendly dinner, this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl delivers big flavor without complicated steps. Juicy chicken, crisp vegetables, fluffy rice, and a creamy sweet-and-spicy sauce come together in one satisfying bowl that feels restaurant-worthy—but is easy enough for any night of the week.
This recipe is especially great for new cooks because everything happens in one skillet, the sauce uses simple pantry ingredients, and the steps are flexible. Whether you’re cooking for family, meal-prepping lunches, or just craving something exciting, this bowl has you covered.
Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
- Quick & approachable: Ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish
- Big flavor, simple ingredients: Sweet, creamy, and spicy without being overwhelming
- Customizable: Adjust heat, veggies, or rice to fit your preferences
- Perfect for meal prep: Stores well and reheats beautifully
- Family-friendly: No alcohol or pork, with easy spice control
This dish proves you don’t need complicated techniques to create exciting meals at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Bowl
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sriracha
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bowl (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Cook the Rice
Prepare your rice according to package instructions and set it aside. A rice cooker makes this effortless and ensures fluffy, consistent results.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and season generously with salt and pepper. Smaller pieces cook faster and more evenly, making this step ideal for beginners.
Step 3: Sauté the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 4: Mix the Sauce
While the chicken cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, and lime juice in a small bowl. Taste and adjust—add more honey for sweetness or more sriracha for heat.
Step 5: Add the Vegetables
Add the mixed vegetables to the skillet with the chicken. Cook for 2–3 minutes, just until tender-crisp. This keeps the veggies colorful and full of texture.
Step 6: Combine and Serve
Remove the skillet from heat and pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Stir until everything is evenly coated. Serve over a bowl of warm rice and garnish with extra sriracha or chopped green onions if desired.
Easy Bang Bang Chicken Bowl for Busy Weeknights
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 bowls 1x
Description
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a quick, beginner-friendly bowl meal with tender sautéed chicken, crisp mixed veggies, and warm rice, all coated in a creamy sweet-and-spicy bang bang sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and easy meal prep.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)
1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
1 cup mixed veggies (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots)
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Bang Bang Sauce:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp sriracha
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp lime juice
Instructions
1. Cook the rice according to package instructions; set aside.
2. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces; season with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
4. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, and lime juice to make the sauce. Adjust to taste.
5. Add mixed vegetables to the skillet with the cooked chicken; cook 2–3 minutes until just tender-crisp.
6. Remove skillet from heat. Pour sauce over chicken and veggies; stir to coat evenly.
7. Serve over rice. Garnish with extra sriracha or chopped green onions if desired.
Notes
Spice level: Start with 2 tbsp sriracha for medium heat; reduce for mild or add more for extra spicy.
Protein swaps: Shrimp, turkey breast, or extra-firm tofu work well.
Dairy-free: Use dairy-free mayonnaise.
Low-carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or shredded cabbage.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Reheat gently; add a splash of water if the sauce thickens.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Asian Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
Tips & Variations
- Mild version: Reduce sriracha or use a mild chili sauce
- Protein swap: Try shrimp, turkey breast, or crispy tofu
- Dairy-free: Use dairy-free mayonnaise
- Low-carb option: Serve over cauliflower rice or shredded cabbage
- Extra crunch: Add sliced cucumbers or shredded red cabbage
Serving Ideas & Storage
Serve this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl hot for dinner or portion it into containers for easy lunches. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~520 |
| Protein | ~34g |
| Carbohydrates | ~38g |
| Fat | ~26g |
| Fiber | ~4g |
| Sodium | ~720mg |
(Estimates may vary based on ingredients used.)
Final Thoughts
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is proof that simple cooking can still be exciting. With its creamy sauce, tender chicken, and colorful vegetables, it’s a reliable go-to recipe you’ll want to make again and again. Whether you’re a beginner or just short on time, this bowl brings bold flavor to your table with ease.