Bang Bang Chicken Bowls layer warm white rice, crisp cabbage, carrot, cucumber, avocado, and air-fried chicken with a creamy sweet-chili sauce. The recipe makes exactly 4 bowls and takes 40 minutes total: 30 minutes of preparation and 10 minutes of active cooking.
Separating the sauce is the practical key. Only ½ cup coats the hot chicken, while the remainder is reserved for drizzling after assembly. This preserves the distinct vegetable sections and lets the finished bowls taste saucy without turning the rice and fresh toppings into one heavy mixture.
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Ingredients
For the Bang Bang Sauce: 1¼ cups mayonnaise (290g); ⅔ cup Thai sweet chili sauce (177g); 2 tablespoons honey; 2 teaspoons Sriracha sauce (or more to taste).
For the 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.
For the Bowl Assembly: 4 cups prepared white rice, warmed (744g); 2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced (140g); 1 large carrot, julienned; 1 medium cucumber, halved and sliced; 1 large avocado, thinly sliced; Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish); Sesame seeds (for garnish).
If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Dorito Casserole.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
- Make the bang bang sauce: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, and Sriracha. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated and the sauce is smooth. Set aside about ½ cup for tossing with the chicken, reserving the remainder for drizzling over the finished bowls.
- Prepare the chicken: In a large bowl, combine the vegetable oil, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add the cubed chicken breast to the bowl and gently toss until all pieces are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
- Cook the chicken: Place the seasoned chicken cubes in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding. Air fry at 400°F for 11-12 minutes, flipping the chicken pieces halfway through cooking time. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is slightly golden on the outside.
- Toss chicken with sauce: Transfer the cooked chicken to a large clean bowl. Add ½ cup of the prepared bang bang sauce and toss gently until all chicken pieces are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Assemble the bowls: Set out 4 medium-sized serving bowls. To each bowl, add 1 cup of warm white rice as the base layer. Arrange ½ cup of thinly sliced red cabbage, ¼ of the julienned carrot, and ¼ of the sliced cucumber around the perimeter of each bowl, creating colorful sections atop the rice.
- Add chicken and toppings: Place an equal portion of the sauce-coated chicken in the center of each bowl. Fan out ¼ of the sliced avocado on top or to the side of the chicken in each bowl.
- Garnish and serve: Drizzle each bowl with the remaining bang bang sauce. Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro and sesame seeds for garnish. Serve immediately while the chicken is still warm and the vegetables are fresh and crisp.
For storage details after serving, the USDA leftovers and food safety guidance.
Why the Recipe Works
Whisk the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, and Sriracha until completely smooth before preparing the chicken. The recorded 2 teaspoons Sriracha give the base level of heat; adding more is optional. Measure out about ½ cup immediately so raw-chicken utensils never enter the serving portion.
Cut the 2 pounds chicken breast into consistent 1-inch cubes. Vegetable oil helps the paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper coat every surface. Arrange the cubes in one air-fryer layer and use additional batches when necessary. Crowding traps moisture and prevents the slightly golden exterior that contrasts with the creamy sauce.
If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs.
Critical Cooking Cues
Air fry at 400°F for 11–12 minutes and flip the pieces halfway. Verify 165°F in the thickest pieces instead of judging safety from color alone. Move the cooked chicken to a clean bowl, add the reserved ½ cup sauce, and toss gently until coated.
Build four bowls deliberately: 1 cup warm white rice, ½ cup red cabbage, one quarter each of the carrot and cucumber, an equal chicken portion, and one quarter of the avocado per bowl. Keeping the vegetables in sections makes the amounts even. Drizzle with the untouched sauce, then finish with cilantro and sesame seeds immediately before serving.
Serving, Storage, and Reheating
These bowls are best assembled at the last moment, when the chicken is warm and the vegetables remain crisp. The sauce, sliced vegetables, rice, and cooked chicken can be refrigerated in separate covered containers for advance preparation. Reheat only the rice and chicken; add avocado, sauce, cilantro, and sesame after warming. The recorded alternatives also allow broiling the chicken 4–5 minutes per side or using grilled shrimp while keeping the same bowl structure.
Recorded Recipe Tips
- If you don't have an air fryer, you can cook the chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat for about 8-10 minutes, or bake in a 425°F oven for 15-18 minutes.
- For meal prep, store the components separately and assemble just before eating to maintain the freshness of the vegetables.
- The bang bang sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week in an airtight container.
- For a lower carb option, substitute cauliflower rice for the white rice.
Equipment Checklist
Prepare these tools before starting: Air fryer; Mixing bowls; Cutting board and knife; Measuring cups and spoons; Serving bowls. Keeping the setup ready supports the exact sequence and timing.
Conclusion
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl serves 4 in 40 minutes. Follow the measured ingredients and staged method above, preserving the listed temperatures and timing for the intended texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How many bowls does the recipe make?
It makes exactly 4 medium serving bowls.
- → How much rice goes into each bowl?
Use 1 cup of warm prepared white rice per bowl.
- → How long does the chicken air fry?
Cook at 400°F for 11–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- → What temperature must the chicken reach?
The center of the chicken should reach 165°F.