Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice is the kind of dish that sneaks into your heart with one bite. The idea for this Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice recipe came to me after a late-night fridge raid where I found leftover rice, a lone chicken breast, and half a jar of Bang Bang sauce from a weekend BBQ. Instead of grabbing takeout, I threw it all in a pan, said a little prayer and magic happened.
Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Large Skillet or Wok
- Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1.5 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 cup Bang Bang Sauce divided
Fried Rice
- 2 tablespoons Sesame Oil divided
- 4 large Eggs beaten
- 0.5 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 2 large Carrots diced
- 1 large White Onion diced
- 0.25 cup Green Onions plus extra for garnish
- 1 teaspoon Garlic minced
- 4 cups Cooked Long-Grain White Rice cooled, day-old is best
- 0.25 cup Unsalted Butter melted
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 0.33 cup Frozen Peas
That first messy, unplanned version of Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice sparked something. I’ve refined it since, adding buttery fried rice, fresh veggies, and my favorite shortcut: the air fryer. It’s now a repeat request when friends come over and I need something easy that still wows. Sweet, spicy, creamy, crispy every bite of Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice hits all the notes. Just thinking about it makes me smile.
What You’ll Need to Bring It to Life
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup Bang Bang sauce, divided
Anna’s tip: Don’t skip the paprika it gives the chicken a warm depth that pairs beautifully with the sauce. And boneless thighs work too if that’s what you have!
For the Fried Rice:
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 1 large white onion, diced
- ¼ cup green onions, diced, plus extra for garnish
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 4 cups cooked and cooled long-grain white rice (day-old is best!)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- ⅓ cup frozen peas
Anna’s tip: Use butter, not just oil trust me, it’s grandma’s trick! It adds richness that makes the whole thing sing.
Easy Ingredient Swaps to Make It Your Own
Out of peas? Try diced zucchini or edamame. No lemon juice? A splash of rice vinegar works in a pinch. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, toss in some chopped pineapple or toasted cashews for crunch.
Can’t do spicy? Use a milder Bang Bang sauce or mix mayo with honey and a tiny splash of soy sauce to tone down the heat in your Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice.
More tasty ideas: Brisket Grilled Cheese Wafflewich
How I Make This Step-by-Step in My Kitchen
Start your Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice by tossing the cubed chicken with oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Then, pop it into your preheated air fryer at 400°F for 11-12 minutes. Flip halfway through to get that golden color. No air fryer? No problem just sauté in a skillet over medium-high heat for about 6-8 minutes.
While the chicken cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet. Add the beaten eggs and a sprinkle of salt. Scramble gently until just set soft, fluffy curds are what we’re going for. Slide the eggs onto a plate and keep them warm.
Next up, veggies! Add the rest of the sesame oil to your skillet. Toss in the carrots, onion, and green onions. Cook for about 5 minutes until the carrots are tender and the onions smell like heaven. Stir in the minced garlic and let that sizzle for another minute.
Now add the cooled, day-old rice. Break up any clumps as you stir it into the veggie mix. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes without stirring too much you want those little crispy bits that make Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice irresistible.
Fold in the scrambled eggs, melted butter, lemon juice, soy sauce, and peas. Let everything come together over medium heat for another 2-3 minutes until it’s all steamy and delicious.
Last but not least, toss your cooked chicken with half the Bang Bang sauce. Spoon it over your fried rice and drizzle with extra sauce if you like it saucy (we do!). Garnish with more green onions and serve it hot. That’s your Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice masterpiece!
Our Favorite Way to Serve and Enjoy It
We love piling this Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice into big bowls and gathering around the table with chopsticks and extra Bang Bang sauce on the side. It’s a crowd-pleaser, every time. For a little something green, we’ll serve it with steamed broccoli or a cucumber salad.
What I’ve Learned from Little Mistakes Along the Way
Don’t rush the rice! I made Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice once with fresh rice and ended up with a sticky mess. Day-old, cooled rice is key it holds its shape and fries up like a dream.
Also, don’t drown everything in sauce. A little goes a long way, and it’s better to let people add more at the table. Lesson learned after a friend said, “Whoa, this tastes like spicy pudding!” Never again.
How I Keep It Fresh for Later Moments of Joy
Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice reheats like a champ. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When reheating, sprinkle a little water on top and cover with a damp paper towel to keep it moist.
And if you have extra chicken or rice separately? Use it in wraps, toss it on salads, or stuff it into lettuce cups for a lighter meal.
More tasty ideas: Slow Cooker Crack Chicken and Rice
Why This Recipe Means So Much to Me
Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice represents those unexpected wins in the kitchen the ones that start with a “What if?” and end with a wow. It’s fast, fun, and full of flavor, and that’s exactly how I want people to feel when they eat it.
I hope this Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice brings you as much joy as it brings me. From my kitchen to yours happy cooking.
Your Questions Answered About This Recipe
What Is Bang Bang Sauce And Can I Make My Own?
Bang Bang sauce is a sweet and spicy mayo-based sauce. You can make it by mixing mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and a touch of honey. Store-bought versions work great too!
Can I Use Leftover Rice For This Recipe?
Yes, day-old leftover rice is actually perfect! It’s drier and won’t get mushy when stir-fried. Just make sure it’s cooled completely before usi
How Do I Prevent The Rice From Getting Sticky?
Use cooled, day-old rice and break up any clumps with your spatula as you add it to the pan. Don’t stir too much once it’s in let it sit and heat through first.
Can I Make This Without An Air Fryer?
Absolutely! Just cook the seasoned chicken pieces in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until golden and cooked through.
How Spicy Is This Dish?
The spice level in Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice depends on your Bang Bang sauce. Most versions are mildly spicy with a sweet balance. You can always use less sauce or choose a milder version if you prefer.
