Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice: Sweet, Spicy, and Irresistibly Addictive!
Get ready for a flavor explosion with this Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice! Inspired by the popular sweet and spicy “Bang Bang” sauce, this dish transforms classic fried rice into an incredibly addictive and satisfying meal. Tender, crispy chicken coated in that signature creamy, zesty, and slightly fiery sauce is tossed with fluffy rice, scrambled eggs, and vibrant vegetables. It’s a quick, easy, and utterly delicious weeknight dinner that brings restaurant-quality taste right to your kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Fried Rice
- Explosive Flavor: The signature sweet, spicy, and creamy Bang Bang sauce takes ordinary fried rice to another level.
- Restaurant-Quality at Home: Achieve those crave-worthy Asian takeout flavors in your own kitchen.
- Quick & Easy: Perfect for weeknights, especially if you have leftover cooked rice.
- Satisfying & Complete Meal: Contains protein, carbs, and veggies all in one delicious bowl.
- Customizable Heat: Easily adjust the spice level to suit your preference.
What You’ll Need
Gather these delicious ingredients to craft your amazing Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided (use toasted sesame oil for richer flavor)
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or other neutral oil like canola or peanut oil)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups cooked rice, day-old and chilled (jasmine or basmati work best; essential for good fried rice texture)
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots blend, thawed
- ½ cup chopped yellow onion (about ½ medium onion)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce (plus more for Bang Bang sauce)
- Fresh cilantro or green onions, chopped, for garnish (optional)
For the Bang Bang Sauce (approx. 1 cup):
- ½ cup mayonnaise (full-fat for best creaminess)
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons Sriracha (adjust to desired spice level)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (freshly squeezed)
Instructions: Cook, Sauce, Toss, and Serve!
1. Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together the ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sweet chili sauce, 1-2 tablespoons Sriracha, 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon lime juice. Whisk until completely smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust sweetness or spiciness to your preference. Set aside.
2. Cook the Eggs:
Heat 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Pour in the 4 large eggs, beaten, seasoned with a pinch of kosher salt (about ¼ tsp). Cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggs are scrambled and lightly cooked through. Remove the scrambled eggs from the skillet and set aside.
3. Cook the Chicken:
In the same skillet (add a touch more vegetable oil if needed), increase heat to medium-high. Add the 1 ½ pounds chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes. Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, along with the remaining ¼ teaspoon kosher salt. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s cooked through and lightly browned on all sides. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside with the eggs.
4. Sauté Vegetables and Rice:
Add the 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to the skillet (if needed, clean out any burnt bits first). Increase heat to high. Add the ½ cup chopped yellow onion and 1 cup frozen peas and carrots blend (thawed). Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender-crisp. Add the 4 cups day-old, chilled cooked rice to the skillet. Break up any clumps with your spatula. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes, pressing the rice against the bottom of the pan occasionally, until it’s heated through and slightly drier, with some grains getting a light crisp.
5. Combine and Finish:
Push the rice and vegetables to one side of the skillet. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil to the empty side. Stir in the 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, and 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce into the hot oil. Let it sizzle for 15-30 seconds, then toss to combine with the rice and vegetables. Return the cooked chicken and scrambled eggs to the skillet. Toss everything together to combine well.
6. Add Bang Bang Sauce and Serve:
Remove the skillet from the heat. Pour about ½ to ¾ of the prepared Bang Bang Sauce over the fried rice (start with less and add more to taste). Gently toss until everything is evenly coated and well combined. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh cilantro or green onions if desired. You can offer extra Bang Bang sauce on the side for those who want more!
Tips for Perfect Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice
- Day-Old Chilled Rice is a Must: This is perhaps the most crucial tip for good fried rice. Freshly cooked rice is too moist and will result in soggy, clumpy fried rice. Day-old (or even 2-day-old) chilled rice is drier and separates beautifully, allowing for that desired fluffy, slightly crispy texture.
- High Heat is Key: Fried rice benefits from cooking on high heat. This ensures that ingredients stir-fry and get a slight char rather than just steaming. Make sure your skillet or wok is very hot before adding ingredients.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook in batches if your skillet isn’t large enough. Overcrowding lowers the pan’s temperature and steams ingredients, preventing proper browning and crisping.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: Using toasted sesame oil adds a much deeper, nuttier flavor than regular sesame oil. It’s usually added at the end of cooking as its flavor can diminish with high heat.
- Adjust Sweet Chili and Sriracha: The balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy in the Bang Bang sauce is personal. Start with the suggested amounts and add more sweet chili sauce for more sweetness, or more Sriracha for more heat, until it’s perfect for your palate.
- Pre-Cooked Chicken Shortcut: To make this even faster, use leftover cooked chicken or a shredded rotisserie chicken. Skip step 3 and add the cooked chicken along with the eggs in step 5.
- Vary Your Veggies: Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like diced bell peppers, chopped broccoli florets, or corn kernels when you add the peas and carrots.
- Garnish for Freshness: Fresh cilantro or green onions provide a bright, fresh finish that cuts through the richness of the sauce.
This Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice is a fantastic way to bring bold, exciting flavors to your dinner table with surprising ease. It’s truly an addictive dish that will have everyone asking for seconds!