Description
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a flavorful, quick, and easy meal featuring crispy air-fried chicken tossed in a spicy and sweet Bang Bang sauce, served over a bed of warm white rice and fresh vegetables. It’s a perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and zesty flavors that makes for a satisfying and colorful bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1 ¼ cups (290 g) mayonnaise
- â…” cup (177 g) Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha, or more to taste
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Bowls
- 4 cups (744 g) prepared white rice, warmed, divided
- 2 cups (140 g) red cabbage, thinly sliced, divided
- 1 large carrot, julienned, divided
- 1 medium cucumber, halved and sliced, divided
- 1 large avocado, thinly sliced, divided
- Fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Make Bang Bang Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, and Sriracha. Stir until smooth and well blended. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Prepare Chicken: In a separate bowl, combine vegetable oil, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add the cubed chicken breasts and toss until all pieces are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Place the seasoned chicken cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 11-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly crispy on the outside.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the warmed white rice evenly among four bowls. Layer the thinly sliced red cabbage, julienned carrots, sliced cucumbers, and avocado slices over the rice. Top each bowl with the air-fried chicken pieces.
- Add Sauce and Garnish: Drizzle the prepared Bang Bang sauce generously over each bowl. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an extra burst of flavor and texture. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can adjust the spiciness of the Bang Bang sauce by increasing or reducing the amount of Sriracha according to your taste.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the chicken in the oven at 400°F for 18-20 minutes or pan-fry it over medium heat until cooked through.
- Use brown rice instead of white rice for a healthier whole grain option.
- The recipe is easily customizable by adding other fresh veggies like bell peppers, snap peas, or green onions.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
