Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: 1 Amazing 35-Min Recipe

Oh, you know those nights? When you’re staring into the fridge at 6 PM, craving something packed with flavor but utterly refusing to spend longer than thirty minutes cooking? Me too! That’s why I’m sharing my absolute go-to recipe that always gets rave reviews: the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl — You’ll Wish You Tried This chicken Sooner! Seriously, the combination of that creamy, slightly sweet, seriously spicy sauce coating perfectly cooked chicken is just addictive. Since I’ve perfected countless quick Asian-inspired dinners over the years, trust me on this one; this bowl is a total weeknight game-changer. With only 35 minutes total time, you get maximum flavor payoff with minimum effort. If you love fast flavors, you should also check out my recipe for the easy chicken Caesar wrap sometime! Get your mixing bowls ready!

Why This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Recipe Is a Weeknight Favorite

I get asked all the time what the quickest flavor bomb is that I have up my sleeve, and this is it. You don’t need a ton of fancy pantry items or hours of simmering time to get that incredible takeout taste. This recipe hits all the right notes with hardly any fuss!

Here’s why I keep coming back to this bowl:

• Speedy Satisfaction: We’re talking about a full meal, start to finish, in about 35 minutes. Perfect for those crazy Tuesday nights.
• The Flavor Balance: That sauce! It’s the marriage of creamy mayonnaise with the bright heat of Sriracha and the tang of sweet chili. It coats everything perfectly.
• Easy Cleanup: Since it mostly happens in a couple of mixing bowls and one skillet, cleanup is a breeze. Less time scrubbing, more time eating!

If you’re looking for more fantastic meals that fit right into a busy schedule, you’ve got to browse my collection of easy healthy recipes; they’re lifesavers!

Essential Ingredients for Your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

Okay, let’s talk about what makes this magic happen. Since this recipe is so fast, the ingredients really need to sing! I don’t waste time with fussy prep here, but I do insist on the right ratios, especially for that sauce. Getting these components ready is half the battle, and trust me, once these are measured out, you’re practically done. If you’re stocking up on lean proteins for the week, this is always a winner—check out some other ideas in my lean protein meals section!

For the Creamy Bang Bang Sauce

This is the heart of the bowl, hands down! You only need three things, but they come together to create something spectacular. The base is rich, thanks to 3/4 cup of mayo—don’t skimp on the quality here, it’s worth it. Then we hit it with 1/4 cup of sweet chili sauce. This adds that necessary sweetness and body. Finally, for the kick that makes it ‘Bang Bang,’ we’re using 3 Tablespoons of Sriracha. You can tweak that Sriracha up or down depending on how fiery you like your dinner, but that is the sweet spot for me!

For the Marinated Chicken

For the chicken, you’ll want about 2 large chicken breasts, which you can cut in half, or use 4 smaller ones. We aren’t breading this tonight, so the marinade is crucial for flavor and moisture! Mix up 1/4 cup of water or chicken broth with 2 Tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 Tablespoon of brown sugar. That salty-sweet foundation is key.

Next up are the flavor boosters! We need good aromatics: 1 Tablespoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of rice vinegar, and just a tiny touch of heat from 1/4 teaspoon of red chili flakes. Make sure your chicken—which you should slice up slightly before marinating so it soaks up that flavor quickly—gets totally coated in this mixture. Don’t forget a pinch of salt if your broth and soy sauce weren’t quite enough!

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

This is where the magic truly comes together, and remember, it all happens fast! Since our total time is only 35 minutes, we have to move efficiently. Don’t start cooking until you have everything else ready to go—that’s the secret to keeping things smooth.

Mixing the Signature Bang Bang Sauce

First things first, let’s deal with the sauce because that needs zero cooking. Grab a small bowl—I use the smallest one I have so it feels satisfyingly full. Whisk together that 3/4 cup of mayo, the 1/4 cup of sweet chili sauce, and the 3 Tablespoons of sriracha until it’s totally smooth and creamy. Taste it! Too mild? Add a dash more sriracha. Once it’s perfect, cover it up and just let it hang out on the counter while we deal with the main event. Don’t worry about chilling it.

Marinating and Cooking the Chicken

Now, take those marinade ingredients we talked about earlier—the soy sauce, the spices, the oil, and the broth—and mix them really well in your medium bowl. Toss in your cut chicken pieces and make sure every bit gets drenched. You don’t have ages here, but try to let it sit for at least 10 minutes while you clean up your measuring spoons. That quick soak really grabs those flavors!

Heat up your skillet over medium-high heat. When it’s hot, carefully lay in the marinated chicken. We need to cook this for about 6 to 8 minutes on each side. Keep an eye on it and use a thermometer if you have one—it needs to hit 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally to be safe! Once it’s done, pull it out, let it rest for just a minute, and slice it up against the grain into nice strips or chunks. That’s the best way to prepare it for the final step!

Assembling Your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

This is my favorite part, honestly! Take that glorious cooked chicken and put it back into a clean bowl. Pour about half of your prepared Bang Bang Sauce over the top. Toss it gently until every piece is coated in that beautiful, creamy orange glaze. You can always add more sauce if you like it extra smothered, but start with half so you don’t overwhelm the flavor balance.

Finally, build your bowl! Spoon your steamed rice or whatever base you chose onto the plate. Pile that saucy chicken right on top. Take any remaining sauce from that first bowl and just drizzle it artfully over everything. If you’re looking for a fantastic skillet recipe that cooks up almost as fast, check out my easy lemon garlic chicken skillet!

Expert Tips for the Best Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Flavor

Even though this recipe is super fast, there are a few little tricks I’ve picked up over the years that really take it from ‘good’ to ‘OMG, what is this amazing chicken?!’ It’s all about controlling the heat and letting those flavors really sink in.

First off, let’s talk about getting that best flavor transfer. That 10-minute marination I mentioned? You *can* do it in five if you’re in a real pinch, but honestly, those extra five minutes are when the soy sauce and spices start to penetrate the meat. If you have 20 minutes to spare, let it go! It makes the final cooked chicken so much juicier and more flavorful.

For those of you looking for an extra little crunch without deep-frying, let’s talk pan technique. When you throw the marinated chicken into your skillet, make sure that oil is properly hot—medium-high, remember? Don’t crowd the pan! If you pile all the chicken in at once, the temperature drops, and instead of searing and browning, it steams. You want a nice, golden-brown crust on those pieces. Sear one side nicely before you even think about flipping it! That browning adds depth that the sauce really clings to later.

Now, about the spice level, which is totally personal, right? The 3 Tablespoons of Sriracha combined with the 1/4 teaspoon of red chili flakes is my sweet spot for ‘flavorful heat.’ If you are serving picky eaters or kids, pull the chicken out *before* you toss it in the sauce, and then only coat a portion of it. You can thin out the remaining sauce with a little extra mayo to make a mild topping for the rest!

And hey, if your kitchen appliance collection includes an air fryer, you can totally roast the marinated chicken chunks in there! Toss them with just a tiny spritz of olive oil and cook at 380°F until done. It creates a slightly different, but still tasty, texture. If you love air frying, you absolutely have to see how I make my crispy air fryer chicken wings—they’re life-changing!

Making the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl a Complete Meal

Just tossing the saucy chicken over rice is great, truly, but if you want to turn that quick dinner into a proper, satisfying meal that feels like a proper bowl from your favorite spot, you need texture and color!

The recipe notes mentioned rice, and honestly, that’s your perfect base. Steamed white rice is fast, but if you have ten extra minutes, making a quick batch of veggie fried rice is next level. You should seriously check out my recipe for everyday veggie fried rice—it uses up whatever odds and ends you have in the crisper drawer.

But let’s talk crunch, because that creamy sauce needs something sharp to cut through it. This is where your quick veggies come in! I highly recommend shredding a bit of green cabbage. It absorbs the extra sauce beautifully without getting soggy right away. Or, if you want something really fresh, take a cucumber and slice it thinly—those cool slices are just heaven alongside the heat.

Think about balancing the whole bowl when you are plating it up! You want the warm rice down first, the saucy chicken piled high, and then top it all off with a tangle of fresh, cool vegetables. Sometimes I even throw a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top just for looks, though that’s totally optional!

Storage and Reheating Your Leftover Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

Now, one of the best things about this recipe is that it makes amazing leftovers for lunch the next day, but you have to store it right! If you just mix everything together and put it in the fridge, that beautiful, creamy Bang Bang Sauce is going to make everything soggy overnight. Nobody wants sad, mushy chicken!

So, when you put leftovers away, try to keep the components separate if you can. Store the sauced chicken in one airtight container, and if you have any extra sauce left over, put that in a tiny container all by itself. If you followed my advice and only tossed *half* the chicken in sauce before serving, that uncooked half will last even longer!

I find that leftovers like this usually last beautifully in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Just make sure everything is sealed up tight. If you’re packing this for a work lunch, try leaving the sauce in a little container and only mixing it in right before you eat. That keeps everything fresh!

When it comes time to reheat, you have two great options, depending on your schedule. For speed, the microwave works just fine. Pop the chicken into a microwave-safe dish and heat it in short bursts—maybe 45 seconds at a time—stirring in between. You don’t want to blast it on high power, or the chicken will dry out quickly.

If you have a few extra minutes, the stovetop method gives you a much better texture, especially if you didn’t save the sauce separately. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and toss the cold chicken in there until it’s warmed through. If you kept the sauce separate, drizzle in just a little bit and let it heat through gently for a minute. It warms up so fast!

If you’re getting organized for the week ahead, these leftovers are perfect for making quick lunch prep a breeze. You can find some more great ideas for speedy midday meals in my post about quick high-protein lunch boxes. Honestly, these leftovers taste almost as good the second day!

Common Questions About Preparing the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

I always get the same emails after I post this recipe, which tells me everyone is making it—yay! But sometimes, people need the flexibility to swap things out based on what they have on hand or their own spice tolerance. It’s totally cool to customize, just remember that the balance is what makes it a true Bang Bang Chicken Bowl!

Here are some of the things folks ask me most often about this dish:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Oh, absolutely! I often use chicken thighs myself, especially when I know I’m taking leftovers for the next day. Chicken thighs are naturally more forgiving; they have a higher fat content, so they stay moist even if you accidentally overcook them by a minute or two in the skillet. You might need to adjust your cooking time slightly—thighs can sometimes take an extra minute or two per side compared to breast meat. But flavor-wise? It’s fantastic! The richness of the thigh handles that creamy sauce perfectly. If you’re looking for other simple chicken variations, my simple chicken fajita skillet recipe is a great detour!

How do I make the sauce less spicy if my family can’t handle the heat?

That’s easy! The spice comes from both the Sriracha and the red chili flakes in the marinade, but mostly the Sriracha in the sauce. To tone it down significantly, cut the Sriracha down to just 1 Tablespoon, or even just 1 teaspoon for a mild flavor. Then, when you’re mixing the sauce, add an extra Tablespoon of sweet chili sauce instead. You keep the flavor profile but dial back the fire. Remember, you can always whisk in more spice at the end, but you can’t really take it out once it’s mixed in!

Can I use pork or shrimp instead of chicken?

Yes! This marinade and sauce combo is super versatile. Shrimp cooks way faster—we’re talking 2 to 3 minutes total in the pan—so you’d totally want to cook that separately after you finish the marinade! For pork, pork tenderloin works beautifully. Cut it into similar-sized pieces as you would the chicken, and make sure it cooks all the way through, hitting that safe internal temperature. Honestly, this sauce works on almost anything crispy!

Do I really need the brown sugar in the marinade?

I know it feels a bit weird adding sugar when you already have sweet chili sauce, but trust me, that 1 Tablespoon of brown sugar is crucial! It helps the chicken caramelize just a tiny bit on the outside when it hits that hot skillet. That caramelization is what locks in extra flavor and gives the chicken a slightly richer color, which just makes the final bowl look better. I always use it, even on busy nights!

Nutritional Estimates for the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl

Okay, let’s talk real talk about what’s going into our bodies while we enjoy this incredibly flavor-packed dinner. Since we’re working with a super creamy sauce and chicken, the numbers can sometimes look a little higher than a plain grilled chicken salad, but that’s just part of the delicious joy of this recipe!

Remember, this recipe is designed to serve 2 people, so the figures below reflect half of the total yield. And I have to throw out the standard disclaimer here—since we all use different brands of mayo or different cuts of chicken, these are just my best estimates based on my standard measurements. If you’re counting strictly, you’ll want to plug in your specific ingredients, but this gives you a great ballpark idea!

If you’re tracking macros or interested in the dietary side of things, I always share my research over in my diet and nutrition section, so pop over there for more general tips!

For a single serving (1/2 of the recipe prepared over plain white rice), here’s what you’re generally looking at:

• Calories: Roughly 600–700 Calories
• Fat: Between 35g and 40g (This is mostly from the mayo base in the sauce, which is what gives it that addictive creaminess!)
• Protein: About 45g–50g (Thanks to that hearty chicken!)
• Carbohydrates: Approximately 35g–40g (This will vary a lot depending on how much rice you load into your bowl.)

If you are worried about the fat content, you absolutely can use light mayonnaise in the sauce, but I won’t lie to you—it doesn’t have the same luxurious texture. Also, remember that serving this bowl over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice will drastically reduce the carb and calorie count! It’s all about what you pair it with at the end. Just enjoy the amazing flavor you created in under 35 minutes!

Share Your Bang Bang Chicken Bowl Experience

Whew! If you made it this far, you’ve officially mastered the quickest, boldest chicken dinner in your rotation. I truly hope this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl brings as much excitement to your weeknights as it does to mine.

Now that you’ve tasted the creamy, spicy goodness, I really, really want to hear about it! Don’t be shy! Please take a second to hop down to the comments section below and rate this recipe out of 5 stars. Your feedback tells me what’s working and helps other busy cooks decide to try it out!

And while you’re down there, I have a fun question for you. Since we talked about all the different ways you can build your bowl to make it a complete meal, I’m dying to know: What vegetable variation did you end up adding to your bowl? Did you stick with the crunchy cabbage I suggested, or did you toss in something completely different like bell peppers or edamame beans?

If you snap a picture while you’re enjoying your finished bowl, please tag me on social media! I absolutely love seeing your versions and sharing them with the community. Knowing these recipes make it from my kitchen to yours is the best part of doing this! If you’re curious about the person behind all these quick tips and tricks, you can always read a bit more about me right here: Find out more about my cooking journey! Happy cooking, friends!