Save The first time I encountered Bang Bang sauce at a restaurant, I kept asking our server what made it so addictive. She just smiled and said 'magic' but I was determined to figure it out at home. Now my kitchen smells like sweet chili and garlic whenever friends come over, and everyone asks for the recipe before they even finish their bowls.
Last summer my sister was recovering from surgery and I brought her a batch of these bowls. She texted me later saying it was the first thing she'd actually wanted to eat in days. Thats when I knew this recipe was more than just dinner, it was comfort food that actually makes you feel good.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs: Thighs stay juicier but breasts work perfectly if thats what you have on hand
- 1 tbsp olive oil: Just enough to get a nice golden sear on the chicken
- ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper: Simple seasoning that lets the sauce shine
- ½ cup mayonnaise: The creamy base that makes everything luxurious
- 3 tbsp sweet chili sauce: This is the secret ingredient you should not skip
- 1–2 tsp sriracha: Start with one teaspoon and add more if you love heat
- 1 tsp honey: Optional but rounds out the flavors beautifully
- 1 clove garlic, minced: Fresh garlic makes a huge difference here
- 2 cups cooked rice: Brown rice adds nuttiness, white rice lets the other flavors pop
- Shredded carrots, cucumber, red cabbage: The crunch trio that makes every bite interesting
- Green onions, sesame seeds, cilantro: These toppings take it from good to gorgeous
Instructions
- Sear the chicken:
- Heat that olive oil in your skillet until it shimmers, then cook the seasoned chicken pieces until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. The smell will be incredible.
- Make the magic sauce:
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and minced garlic until smooth. Taste it and adjust the heat level.
- Coat the chicken:
- Toss half the sauce with the cooked chicken while it is still warm. The sauce will melt into every crevice.
- Build your bowls:
- Start with a bed of rice, then arrange the chicken and all those colorful vegetables on top. Drizzle with the remaining sauce.
- Finish with flourish:
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro if you are feeling fancy. Serve right away while everything is still warm and crunchy.
Save My roommate in college would request this every time she had a bad day. Something about the combination of warm chicken, cold crisp vegetables, and that spicy creamy sauce just fixes everything. Now whenever I make it, I think of her sitting at our tiny kitchen table, finally smiling.
Make It Yours
I have tried swapping Greek yogurt for mayonnaise when I wanted something lighter, and honestly it still works beautifully. The texture changes slightly but that flavor combination remains just as compelling. For my vegetarian friends, cauliflower florets or crispy tofu absorb the sauce just as well as chicken.
Perfect Prep
Sunday meal prep became so much more exciting when I started making these bowls. The sauce keeps for a week in the fridge, and having everything ready to assemble means I actually eat something good instead of grabbing whatever is convenient. Plus the colors in my containers make me happy every time I open the refrigerator.
Serving Suggestions
Cold beer or a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the richness perfectly. I have also served these at casual dinner parties where everyone builds their own bowl from platters on the table, which always sparks the best conversations about who loads up on the most vegetables versus who goes sauce heavy.
- Warm the rice slightly before assembling if you have prepped it ahead
- Keep the sauce separate until serving time so nothing gets soggy
- Extra lime wedges on the side add a bright pop of acidity
Save There is something deeply satisfying about a bowl that looks this beautiful and comes together this quickly. I hope it becomes one of those recipes you turn to without even thinking, the one that always works.
Recipe Guide
- → What does Bang Bang sauce taste like?
Bang Bang sauce combines creamy mayonnaise with sweet chili sauce and spicy sriracha, creating a balanced flavor profile that's rich, slightly sweet, and gently spicy. The garlic adds aromatic depth while honey provides subtle sweetness that rounds out the heat.
- → Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, this bowl is excellent for meal prep. Cook the chicken and prepare the sauce separately, then store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the sauce separate and toss with the chicken just before serving to maintain the best texture and prevent sogginess.
- → How can I make this lighter?
Replace the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter sauce with added protein. You can also use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice to reduce carbohydrates, or increase the vegetable ratio while decreasing the portion of chicken.
- → What vegetables work best in this bowl?
Crunchy raw vegetables pair beautifully with the creamy sauce and tender chicken. Shredded carrots, thinly sliced cucumber, red cabbage, and bell peppers all work well. You can also add edamame, snap peas, or sliced radishes for extra texture and nutrition.
- → Is the sauce very spicy?
The spice level is adjustable and typically moderate. Starting with 1 teaspoon of sriracha provides gentle warmth, while 2 teaspoons delivers noticeable heat. You can easily customize by adding more or less sriracha to suit your preference, or omit it entirely for a milder version focused on the sweet chili flavor.
- → Can I use leftover cooked chicken?
Absolutely. Leftover roasted, grilled, or poached chicken works wonderfully. Simply chop or shred the cooked chicken, warm it gently in a skillet, then toss with the Bang Bang sauce until heated through. This shortcut reduces preparation time to under 20 minutes.