Bang Bang Chicken Crispy Rice (Printable)
Crispy rice, tender chicken, fresh veggies, and spicy Bang Bang sauce create a perfect fusion of textures and bold flavors.
# 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 freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Crispy Rice
06 - 2 cups cooked jasmine rice, chilled overnight
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 hot sauce
12 - 1 teaspoon honey
13 - 1/2 fresh lime, juiced
→ Salad Vegetables
14 - 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
15 - 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
16 - 1 large carrot, julienned
17 - 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
18 - 2 green onions, sliced
19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
→ Toppings
20 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
21 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
# Step-by-step:
01 - Combine chicken breasts with soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Turn to coat evenly and refrigerate for 15 minutes to absorb flavors.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Press cold rice into an even layer and sprinkle with salt. Cook undisturbed for 6 to 8 minutes until golden and crispy on bottom. Flip and cook 4 to 6 minutes longer for additional crispiness. Transfer to a plate to cool.
03 - Grill or pan-sear marinated chicken over medium-high heat for 6 to 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 creamy. Adjust Sriracha quantity for desired heat level.
05 - Arrange romaine lettuce, purple cabbage, carrot, cucumber, green onions, and cilantro on a large serving platter or divide among four individual bowls. Scatter crispy rice over vegetables and arrange sliced chicken on top.
06 - Drizzle Bang Bang sauce generously over the salad just before serving. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and sesame seeds for crunch. Serve immediately while rice remains crispy for optimal texture contrast.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast between hot crispy rice and cool crisp vegetables is absolutely addictive
- You get restaurant worthy Bang Bang sauce without needing a dozen specialty ingredients
- Everything can be prepped ahead so the actual cooking feels effortless
02 -
- Do not skip the day old rice requirement unless you want sad soggy clumps instead of irresistible crunch
- The crispy rice continues to soften as it sits with the sauce so this is best eaten right after assembling
03 -
- Spread rice in a thin layer rather than a thick mound for more surface area that gets crispy
- Warm the chicken slightly before serving if you've refrigerated it—cold meat on cold salad is less exciting