Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Oh my goodness, get ready, because today I’m bringing you a truly inspired recipe that is about to become your new weeknight obsession: Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice Recipe! This dish takes everything you love about classic, savory fried rice and gives it a fun, spicy, and unbelievably creamy upgrade. It’s the perfect blend of crispy chicken, savory rice, and that famous, irresistible Bang Bang sauce that’s sweet, tangy, and has just the right amount of kick. If you’ve ever ordered Bang Bang Chicken at a restaurant and wished you could make that magic happen at home, trust me, this one’s a game-changer. Ready in just 35 minutes, this recipe is a quick ticket to flavor town!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• UNREAL Flavor Combo: The creamy, spicy, sweet Bang Bang sauce combined with savory soy and oyster-sauce coated rice is just addictive. Prepare for major happy sighs!
• Crispy Chicken Secret: We’re giving the chicken a light cornstarch coating, which is the key to that perfect, satisfying golden crunch before it even hits the sauce.
• Faster Than Takeout: Forget delivery! This entire meal comes together in under 40 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight winner when you need something fast and flavorful.
• Fully Customizable: Easily adapt the spice level, swap in your favorite veggies, or even change the protein—it’s always a winner!

Ingredients

All you need for this incredible Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice is a quick trip to the pantry and a few fresh favorites! But first, let’s talk about these key players and why they matter:

• Cooked Jasmine Rice (preferably day-old): This is the ultimate foundation for fried rice! Using day-old rice is a pro tip because it’s drier and won’t clump or get mushy when you fry it.
• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: Our superstar protein! Cutting it into small cubes ensures every piece gets perfectly coated and cooked to that delicious crispy perfection.
• Cornstarch, Salt, and Black Pepper: This trio is the secret to getting that gorgeous, light, and crunchy crust on the chicken. Don’t skip it!
• Eggs: Lightly scrambled and pushed to the side, they add essential texture, color, and a little extra richness to the rice base.
• Mixed Vegetables (Peas, Carrots, Corn): They add a lovely pop of color, sweetness, and that classic fried rice texture we all love.
• Garlic: Stir-fried until fragrant, it’s the aromatic backbone of almost every great Asian dish.
• Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, and Rice Vinegar: This is the ultimate savory trifecta for authentic fried rice flavor. Oyster sauce adds a deep umami richness!
• Chili Flakes (Optional): Just a tiny pinch if you want to dial up the heat in the rice itself, making it even spicier!
• Green Onions: Used for a fresh, sharp garnish and a little burst of onion flavor at the end.

For the Bang Bang Sauce (The Game-Changer!)

• Mayonnaise: The creamy base that makes the Bang Bang sauce so decadent and rich.
• Sweet Chili Sauce: Essential for that signature sweet and slightly tangy element.
• Sriracha: Where the bang comes from! Adjust this to your personal spice tolerance—make it a whisper or a roar!
• Honey: A touch of natural sweetness to perfectly balance the heat.
• Lime Juice: A tiny splash of acidity to brighten up the rich, creamy sauce.

Note: The exact measurements for all of these wonderful ingredients, along with the full, printable instructions, will be available in the detailed recipe card right below this article!

How to Make the Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice

Don’t be intimidated! This recipe is all about quick steps and high heat for maximum flavor. Here’s how we make the magic happen:

Step 1: Whip Up the Bang Bang Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together your mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice until you have a smooth, beautifully pink, and utterly irresistible sauce. Set this aside—you’ll be wanting to drizzle this everywhere!

Step 2: Crisp the Chicken

Pat your chicken cubes super dry (this helps them crisp up!), then toss them with the cornstarch, salt, and pepper mixture until fully coated. Heat up your first tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken and let it cook for about 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until it’s golden brown and beautifully crispy. Take the chicken out and set it aside for now.

Step 3: Scramble the Eggs and Sauté the Veggies

Add the remaining oil to the pan. Pour in the lightly beaten eggs and quickly scramble them until they are just set. Push the eggs to one side of the pan. To the other side, add your minced garlic and mixed vegetables. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the veggies start to tenderize.

Step 4: Fry the Rice

Now for the main event! Add your cold, day-old rice, along with the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and rice vinegar. Crank up the heat a bit and stir-fry everything together for about 3–4 minutes. You want the rice to get evenly coated in the savory sauces and heated through—you can hear it lightly “pop” or “fry” when it’s ready!

Step 5: Sauce and Serve!

Return the crispy chicken to the pan and toss it all together with the rice mixture. Pour in half of your incredible Bang Bang Sauce and mix well until every piece of rice and chicken is completely coated. Remove it from the heat immediately. To serve, garnish with those fresh chopped green onions and a generous extra drizzle of the remaining Bang Bang Sauce. Dig in!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• The Rice is Key: Seriously, use cold, day-old rice. If you use freshly cooked rice, it has too much moisture and will turn your dish into a sticky, mushy mess. Plan ahead for success!
• Wok Heat: Cook on medium-high to high heat. Fried rice is meant to be cooked fast! This ensures the rice fries instead of steams.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If your wok or skillet is too small, your ingredients will steam instead of crisping up. Work in smaller batches when cooking the chicken if you need to.
• Taste Test Your Sauce: The Bang Bang Sauce is all about balance. Taste it before you mix it in! If it’s too spicy, add a tiny bit more honey or mayo. If it needs more zing, squeeze in a little more lime.

How to Serve

This Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice is an absolute knockout as a stand-alone meal, but here are a few ideas to really make it shine:

• Keep it Simple: Serve with a light, crisp cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil to cut through the richness of the sauce.
• Garnish Power: Don’t skip the toppings! Extra green onions, toasted sesame seeds, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, or even some crushed peanuts add fantastic texture.
• Side Dish Upgrade: Pair it with a bowl of simple hot and sour soup or some crispy vegetable spring rolls for a full Asian-fusion feast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers should be cooled quickly and then placed in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Fried rice often tastes even better the next day—it’s the perfect lunch!

Freezing

While you can freeze fried rice in a pinch, the texture of the rice and the creamy sauce can sometimes degrade upon thawing. If you must freeze, place it in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month.

Reheating

The best way to reheat is in a skillet or wok over medium heat with a tiny splash of water or oil. Stir-fry until warmed through. The stovetop method helps retain that desirable crispy texture better than the microwave!

FAQs

1. Can I use a different protein, like shrimp or tofu?

Absolutely! This recipe is super flexible. You can easily swap the chicken for shrimp, beef, or firm-pressed tofu. For shrimp, you don’t even need the cornstarch coating; just sauté them until they are pink and cooked through. If using tofu, tossing it in the cornstarch and frying it is a must for a crispy exterior!

2. I don’t have day-old rice. What’s the quick fix?

If you’re in a pinch, cook your rice as usual but use less water than normal. Once cooked, spread it out on a baking sheet and pop it into the fridge or freezer for about 15–20 minutes to cool down and dry out quickly. This helps achieve a better texture, though day-old is still the gold standard!

3. How can I adjust the spice level of the Bang Bang Sauce?

The heat comes mainly from the sriracha! For a milder flavor, start with just a teaspoon of sriracha and work your way up. For those who like it fiery, feel free to add an extra tablespoon of sriracha or even a tiny dash of cayenne pepper. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it out!

4. What is the purpose of oyster sauce, and can I substitute it?

Oyster sauce is a thick, savory, slightly sweet condiment that adds an incredible depth of umami flavor—that deep, satisfying savoriness—to fried rice. If you need a substitute, you can use hoisin sauce (it’s sweeter) or simply use a little extra soy sauce with a tiny pinch of sugar and mushroom powder for a similar savory kick, especially for a vegetarian version.