Bang Bang Chicken Crispy Rice (Printable Version)

Crispy rice, tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and creamy spicy Bang Bang sauce create perfect texture harmony in this vibrant Asian-inspired bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
03 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
04 - 1 clove garlic, minced
05 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Crispy Rice

06 - 2 cups cooked jasmine rice, day-old and cold
07 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Bang Bang Sauce

09 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
10 - 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon Sriracha
12 - 1 teaspoon honey
13 - Juice of 1/2 lime

→ Salad Vegetables

14 - 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
15 - 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
16 - 1 large carrot, julienned
17 - 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
18 - 2 green onions, sliced
19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Toppings

20 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
21 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

# Directions:

01 - Combine chicken breasts with soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Press cold cooked rice into an even layer and sprinkle with salt. Cook undisturbed for 6-8 minutes until bottom is golden and crisp. Flip or stir to crisp additional surfaces, cooking 4-6 minutes more. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
03 - Grill or pan-sear marinated chicken over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
04 - Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and lime juice in a small bowl until completely smooth and combined. Adjust Sriracha quantity to desired heat level.
05 - Arrange lettuce, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, green onions, and cilantro on a large platter or in four individual bowls. Scatter crispy rice evenly over vegetables. Top with sliced chicken strips.
06 - Drizzle Bang Bang sauce generously over salad. Garnish with chopped peanuts and sesame seeds. Serve immediately while rice remains crunchy for optimal texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The textures alone will change how you think about salad forever
  • That Bang Bang sauce is dangerously addictive and works on everything
  • It comes together faster than deciding what to order for takeout
02 -
  • The rice absolutely must be cold and at least a day old to achieve that signature crunch
  • Do not stir the rice too frequently in the pan or it will steam instead of crisp
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing keeps all those juices inside
03 -
  • A cast iron skillet gives the rice the best crust, but any heavy bottomed pan works
  • If the rice is sticking, let it cook a bit longer and it will release naturally

Return