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Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
Lightly pan-fried chicken coated in a perfectly sticky, garlicky, sweet chili sauce, served with vibrant veggies, fluffy jasmine rice, and a refreshing crunch of cucumber—every bite in these healthy protein bowls is full of the best flavors. I’ve been making this recipe on repeat lately and even my kiddos love it!
Whether you’re making this recipe for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prepping it ahead for high-protein lunches, these Bang Bang Chicken Bowl will definitely become one of your favorite meals. It’s SO good!
RELATED: Orange Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
Why You’ll Love this Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
- 40 Grams Protein – This recipe is high-protein, making it filling and hearty! If you’ve been wanting to add more protein to your daily meals, this recipe is for you.
- Quick & Easy – Make this recipe in under 45 minutes! The method and process is simple and easy.
- One-Skillet – This entire recipe comes together in a large non-stick pan!
- Healthy Dinner Idea – Stuck in a dinner rut? This Bang Bang Chicken recipe is such a fun, flavorful healthy meal that’s easy to make even on the busiest weeknights!
You’ll Also Love: Honey Sesame Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

Bang Bang Chicken Ingredients
Crispy Chicken
- Chicken Breasts: This recipe calls for boneless and skinless chicken breasts.
- Tapioca Starch: Feel free to use potato starch or corn starch as a substitute.
- Garlic Powder
- Salt/Pepper
- Paprika
- Avocado Oil: Olive oil is a great alternative as well but will create a slightly different flavor.
Bang Bang Chicken Sauce
- Avocado Mayo: A healthier alternative to regular mayo. But any type of mayo works great!
- Honey: I love to use raw honey for all of the extra nutrients!
- Sweet Chili Sauce
- Hot Sauce: Frank’s hot sauce or sriracha are great options.
- Minced Garlic: I like to use store-bought minced garlic to save time. But fresh always adds another level of flavor!
- Salt
Stir-Fry Veggies
- Carrots
- Red Cabbage
- Garlic Powder
- Salt/Pepper
- Avocado Oil: You can use olive oil as well, it will affect the flavor slightly.
Bowls
- Jasmine Rice: Prep this ahead or use store-bought microwave rice packets to save time!
- Lime: Freshly squeezed lime juice works best.
- Cucumber
- Green Onion: Chopped green onion stalk is used for garnishing the bowls (and it adds so much flavor), but it’s totally optional!

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken
These bowls are so delicious, full of protein, and easy to make. Making a double batch for dinner and meal prepping the rest for lunches will save you time throughout the week! Here’s how to make Bang Bang Chicken:
- Coat the Chicken: Toss cubed chicken in a mixture of tapioca starch, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Cook the Chicken: Pan-fry in avocado oil until golden brown and crispy.
- Make the Sauce: Whisk together mayo, honey, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, garlic, and salt. Set aside a small portion for drizzling later.
- Coat the Chicken in Sauce: Transfer cooked chicken to a paper towel (optional), then toss it in the sauce.
- Sauté the Veggies: Cook carrots in avocado oil, then add cabbage and seasonings, sautéing until tender.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide cooked rice and fresh cucumber into bowls, squeeze lime juice over the top.
- Finish with Sauce & Garnish: Add the chicken and veggies, drizzle with extra sauce, and garnish with green onions.
TIP: I also like to add a sprinkle of black sesame seeds on top!



What to Serve With Bang Bang Chicken
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is already a balanced meal, but if you’re looking for extra sides or pairings, here are some delicious ideas for how to serve bang bang chicken:
- Steamed or Roasted Veggies – Broccoli, snap peas, bok choy, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, or asparagus add extra greens and balance the spice.
- Crispy Egg Rolls or Spring Rolls – A crunchy side that pairs perfectly with the creamy, spicy sauce.
- Side Salad – A light cucumber salad or Asian slaw with a tangy vinaigrette complements the bold flavors.
- Fried Rice or Cauliflower Rice – Swap jasmine rice for fried rice or a low-carb cauliflower rice option.
- Egg Drop Soup or Miso Soup – A warm and cozy side dish that won’t overpower the main meal.
- Dipping Sauces – Extra sweet chili sauce, sriracha mayo, or a garlic aioli for extra flavor.
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Tips
- Make sure the pan and oil are hot before adding the chicken for the crispiest texture!
- Adjust the spice level by adding more hot sauce or red pepper flakes for heat, or balancing with extra honey for a milder flavor.
- Feel free to swap the rice for quinoa, cauliflower rice, or greens if you want a lower-carb option, and feel free to add extra veggies like bell peppers or snap peas.

How to Store Bang Bang Chicken
Storing:
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep the sauce topping separate to maintain the best texture.
- Freezer: You can freeze the cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating!
Reheating:
- Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Add extra sauce after reheating for the best flavor.
- Stovetop: Sauté the chicken in a pan over medium heat for a few minutes to keep it crispy.
- Air Fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to bring back the crispiness!
Bang Bang Chicken FAQs
Bang Bang Chicken is a flavorful dish with origins in China, where shredded poached chicken is served with a spicy sesame sauce. In Western cuisine, it’s often a crispy, battered chicken tossed in a creamy, sweet-spicy sauce. Both versions are flavorful and such a favorite!
Yes, Bang Bang Chicken is typically spicy, especially the traditional version, which features a bold, chili-infused sesame sauce. This recipe has a milder heat, balanced with a creamy, sweet-spicy sauce made from mayo and chili sauce. The spice level can be adjusted to taste!
Yes! Bang Bang Chicken is perfect for meal prep and stays fresh for several days.

More Healthy Protein Bowls
- Mediterranean Salad Bowls w/Lebanese Meatballs
- Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken Bowls
- Southwest Chicken Burrito Bowls
- Hot Honey Chicken Bowls
- Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bowls
- Honey Glazed Salmon Bowls
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Bang Bang Chicken Recipe (Easy Bowls)
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1/4 cup tapioca starch (or potato starch)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (cubed, about 3 cups)
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil
Sauce
- 3 Tablespoons avocado mayo (divided)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 Tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1-2 Tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Veggies
- 1 Tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 1/2 cups sliced carrots
- 2 cups sliced red cabbage
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Bowls
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice
- 1 medium cucumber (sliced)
- freshly squeezed lime juice (to taste)
- 1 medium green onion stalk (chopped, for garnish)
- black sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine the tapioca starch, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Add in the cubed chicken and toss until well coated.
- In a large non-stick skillet, heat the avocado oil over medium-high heat and add in the chicken.
- Let pan fry for 5-8 minutes before flipping and cooking for another 5-8 minutes (or until the outsides are golden brown and the chicken is fully cooked). Once cooked stir a bit to break up the pieces.
- While the chicken cooks – In a large bowl mix the sauce ingredients (with just 1 Tablespoon mayo) and set aside about 1/4 cup of the sauce.
- Transfer the chicken to a paper towel to allow any excess oil to drip off (optional).
- Once the oil has dripped off the chicken add it to the large sauce bowl and toss/mix until fully coated.
- Add more avocado oil to the pan and bring up to medium-high heat.
- Add in the carrots, cooking for about 10 minutes.
- Add the cabbage and seasoning, then cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies start to soften.
- While the veggies cook, warm and divide the rice and fresh cucumber equally between 4 bowls or meal prep containers. Drizzle lime juice over each one.
- Add the remaining 2 Tablespoons mayo to the 1/4 cup sauce that was set aside and whisk.
- Assemble the bowls – Evenly divide the cooked veggies and chicken over each bowl with rice and cucumbers, top with chopped green onions and black sesame seeds (optional). Drizzle each bowl with the extra sauce and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- You can adjust the spice level of these bowls by using more or less hot sauce.
- For maintaining texture with storing, it’s best to keep the veggies, rice, chicken and extra sauce separate.

Lia says:
These bang bang chicken bowls are so fresh and flavorful! That sauce has just the right amount of kick. Everyone in the family was happy!
Jenny says:
Very tasty! Reminded me of poke bowls we make with fish, but with chicken. Followed the recipe exactly, and we loved the different textures from the veggies as well as the chicken itself. super quick as well!
Jar Of Lemons replied:
Thanks, Jenny!
Colleen says:
Having bang bang chicken as a rice bowl was a delicious meal. Thanks!
JOL Team replied:
So glad you loved it!
Swathi says:
This bang bang chicken bowls are so delicious and easy to put together, I tried for my lunch.
JOL Team replied:
Thanks for the kind words, Swathi! Glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Lisa says:
SO flavorful and perfect for an easy, delicious dinner!
TARA says:
this was so good. we doubled the chicken (21 year old son) and put in about 1/2 T of hot sauce. next time will put in the 1T as written, I would also double the veggies – we just love them! thanks for a great recipe!
Jar Of Lemons replied:
Love to hear this! Thanks, Tara.
Kristi says:
I can’t stop making this recipe. I use constarch and olive oil, but it’s so delicious. I literally have made two batches, haven’t shared any of it with my family because it’s so good, haha. I take it for lunches. I’m making a 3rd batch now, and I don’t plan to share…. thanks for an amazing recipe.
Jar Of Lemons replied:
I love to hear this, Kristi! Thanks so much for the review.
Pam says:
Made this for dinner! Super easy and fast to prepare and amazing taste! We will definitely be making this on repeat.
Jar Of Lemons replied:
Thanks, Pam! I appreciate the feedback!
Suzann says:
Loved these! It even got hubby’s stamp of approval.
Jar Of Lemons replied:
Thanks, Suzann! Love to hear this!
Criss says:
I tried your Bang Bang Chicken Bowls recipe, and it was fantastic! The chicken was perfectly crispy, and the sauce had just the right balance of sweetness and spice. Thanks for sharing this delicious and easy-to-follow recipe!
Jar Of Lemons replied:
Thanks, Criss! Glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Matt says:
This was such a great meal! Loved how everything came together, and I know I’ll be making it again soon.
Krystle says:
The sauce is to die for! Creamy, spicy, SO much flavor. This is a new staple in my meal prep
Liz says:
Delicious!!! I toned down the heat just a touch for my hubby, and we both loved every bite!
Nicole Kendrick says:
This is some of the best chicken of any kind I’ve ever made. I loved it so much!
Jar Of Lemons replied:
Thanks, Nicole! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Heather says:
This was absolutely delicious!! The flavors were fantastic. Husband and kids devoured it!