Easy Meals For Dinner Healthy — yep, I started with that because this recipe nails exactly that brief: a fast, nourishing bowl that tastes like you spent way longer cooking than you actually did. Meet the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl — spicy, sweet, creamy, and endlessly customizable. Ready to get hungry?
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl — what makes it so irresistible
Why does this bowl keep showing up on repeat? Because it hits texture, heat, and comfort all at once. Tender, pan-seared chicken gets tossed in a creamy-sweet bang bang sauce (mayo + sriracha + honey + lime), then lands on a bed of rice and crisp veggies. You get crunchy, soft, spicy, and bright in one forkful. Pro tip: balance heat with a little honey or avocado for creaminess — your tastebuds will thank you.
Quick info point — what makes this recipe so irresistible
- Fast: cooks in ~20–30 minutes if you multitask.
- Balanced: sweet, spicy, tangy, and savory in one sauce.
- Flexible: swap rice for cauliflower rice, or switch veggies based on the fridge.
- Friendly: beginner-proof — no fancy techniques required.
Ingredients (with a tiny note on purpose)
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast — cubed for quick, even cooking.
- 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice) — your carb base.
- 1 cup mixed veggies (broccoli, bell pepper, carrots) — color + crunch.
- 2 tbsp olive oil — for a good sear.
- Salt & pepper — keep it simple; season well.
Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise — creamy backbone.
- 2 tbsp sriracha (adjustable) — the heat.
- 1 tbsp honey — balances the fire.
- 1 tsp garlic powder — savory depth.
- 1 tsp lime juice — brightens the whole bowl.
Garnishes (optional but recommended): chopped green onions, sesame seeds, sliced avocado, extra sriracha.
Simple how-to — make it happen (step-by-step)
- Cook your rice per package. Set aside.
- Prep chicken: cube, season with salt & pepper.
- Sear: heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer; don’t overcrowd. Cook 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Don’t skip the sear — it adds flavor.
- Veggies: toss in mixed veggies; stir-fry 2–3 minutes so they stay crisp-tender.
- Sauce time: whisk mayo, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, and lime in a bowl. Taste and tweak.
- Combine: remove skillet from heat, pour sauce over chicken and veggies, toss to coat evenly.
- Assemble bowls: spoon rice into bowls, pile on the saucy chicken and veggies. Top with garnishes. Eat immediately.
The story behind the bowl
I first made this to satisfy a late-night craving for something spicy but not heavy. I wanted the hit of a takeout Chicken Poke Bowl vibe without raw fish or a long grocery list. The bang bang sauce came from a jarred-sauce hack and a little pantry creativity, and before I knew it the whole family — yes, even picky teens — gravitated toward seconds. Funny how a 5-ingredient sauce can become the hero of weeknight dinner.
Pro tips for the best outcome
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed so the chicken browns instead of steams.
- Adjust sriracha to your comfort level. Start small — you can always add more.
- For a crispier finish, finish the seared chicken under the broiler for 1–2 minutes (watch it!).
- Make it low-carb by swapping rice for cauliflower rice — still delicious and lighter. Bold tip: use avocado to mellow out spiciness without adding sugar.
Variations to try (because boredom is the enemy)
- Chicken Poke Bowl-inspired: swap cooked chicken for grilled or cold shredded rotisserie chicken, add pickled ginger and cucumber.
- Cheap Summer Dinner Ideas: grill chicken instead of pan-frying and toss with charred corn for summer vibes.
- Single Person Meals: halve the recipe and cook everything in one small skillet — perfect for solo dinners.
- Meal Prep On A Budget: batch-cook rice and chicken, store in containers for 3–4 days. Sauce stays best refrigerated separately.
Best way to serve (and dress it up)
Serve hot over rice with a wedge of lime. For brightness, add cilantro or green onions. For texture, sprinkle sesame seeds or crushed peanuts. Want a “girl dinner” glam moment? Build a pretty bowl with avocado slices, radish, and microgreens — instant Girl Dinner Ideas inspo. This dish also nails Bakery Lunch Ideas? — ok, maybe not bakery, but it absolutely shines in meal-prep lunchboxes.
Healthy swaps & nutrition nudges
Swap mayo for Greek yogurt to cut calories and add protein. Use brown rice or quinoa for more fiber. Swap regular honey for a sugar-free syrup if you’re watching sugar. Basically: this bowl plays nicely with any Healthy Foods tweaks you prefer.
Storage & leftovers — fast tips
- Fridge: store in airtight containers up to 3 days. Keep sauce separate if possible.
- Reheat: microwave or reheat in a skillet over medium-low to preserve texture. Add a splash of water if it dries.
- Freezer: chicken and sauce freeze okay, but veggies may lose crunch. I usually freeze just the rice & chicken for up to 2 months.
FAQs (short & useful)
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Absolutely — thighs stay juicier and add richness.
Is this similar to a Chicken Poke Bowl?
It borrows the bowl format and fresh toppings, but this version uses cooked chicken and a spicy mayo instead of raw fish.
How do I make it milder for kids?
Cut sriracha by half or mix with more mayo or yogurt. Serve sriracha on the side.
Can I prep this for Meal Prep On A Budget?
Yes — cook in bulk, portion into containers, and add fresh garnishes on the day you eat.
Hungry yet? This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl fits so many slots: Easy Meals For Dinner Healthy, Cheap Summer Dinner Ideas, Single Person Meals, Meal Prep On A Budget, and straight-up Yummy Dinner Ideas. It even works as a playful swap for a Chicken Poke Bowl if you want a cooked alternative. Try it tonight — tweak the sauce, add avocado, or throw in extra veg — and tell me which version became your go-to. FYI: leftovers taste even better after a day (if you don’t eat them all first).
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl — Easy Meals For Dinner Healthy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
Description
A lively bowl of seared chicken, crisp veggies, and a creamy, sweet-spicy bang bang sauce. Fast to make, full of flavor, and perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 cup cooked rice (use white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (think broccoli, bell pepper, carrots)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp sriracha (add more or less to suit your heat tolerance)
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Start the rice: Cook your chosen rice according to package directions and set it aside so it’s ready when the chicken and veggies are done.
- Prep the chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized cubes. Season them with salt and pepper. Smaller pieces cook faster and get more even browning.
- Brown the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. When the oil shimmers, add the chicken in a single layer (don’t overcrowd — work in batches if needed). Sear until golden and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Check doneness: chicken should reach 165°F internally.
- Whisk the sauce: While the chicken cooks, stir together the mayo, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, and lime juice in a small bowl. Taste and tweak — more sriracha for heat, more honey for sweetness.
- Toss in vegetables: Return the skillet to medium heat and add the mixed veggies to the cooked chicken. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes so they heat through but stay slightly crisp.
- Combine everything: Take the pan off heat, pour the bang bang sauce over the chicken and vegetables, and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Build the bowl: Spoon the rice into bowls, top with the saucy chicken and veg, then garnish however you like (green onions, sesame seeds, avocado, extra sriracha — go wild).
Notes
- Don’t crowd the pan. Overcrowding makes the chicken steam instead of brown.
- Adjust spice: Start with 1–2 Tbsp sriracha if you’re unsure.
- Low-carb swap: Use cauliflower rice.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Garnish ideas: sesame seeds, sliced green onions, avocado slices.