If you are searching for a vibrant, flavor-packed way to brighten up your weekly meal prep, look no further than the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: The Ultimate Easy Meal Prep Recipe. This dish perfectly balances creamy, spicy, and fresh elements for a satisfying bowl that feels indulgent yet wholesome. Each bite carries a punch of flavor from tender chicken glazed in a tangy, spicy bang bang sauce, melded with crisp, colorful veggies and a comforting base of rice or noodles. It’s a smart, simple meal everyone will love making and eating again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these ingredients is like setting a stage for a delicious performance. Each component plays an essential role, bringing balance and texture that make this dish pop with flavor and freshness.
- Ground chicken (1 pound): A lean protein that cooks quickly and absorbs the bold sauce beautifully.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Adds a subtle richness for sautéing the garlic and chicken without overpowering.
- Garlic cloves, minced (2): Infuses the chicken with aromatic depth and a savory base note.
- Salt and pepper: The essential seasoning that brings out the full flavor of every ingredient.
- Soy sauce or sesame oil (optional, 1 teaspoon): Adds umami or a nutty twist if you want extra complexity.
- Mayonnaise (1/3 cup): Creates the luscious creamy texture essential to the bang bang sauce.
- Sweet chili sauce (2 tablespoons): Introduces sweetness and a mild kick of heat with a sticky glaze effect.
- Sriracha (1 tablespoon): The spicy spark that wakes up the sauce, adjustable to your heat preference.
- Honey (1 teaspoon): Balances the heat with gentle, natural sweetness.
- Rice vinegar (optional, 1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle tang to brighten the sauce and cut through the richness.
- Cooked rice or noodles (2 cups): The comforting and neutral base that holds the flavors together.
- Shredded carrots (1 cup): For natural sweetness, crunch, and vibrant color.
- Shredded red cabbage or romaine lettuce (1 cup): Adds freshness, texture, and a pleasant crisp bite.
- Cucumber, sliced (1): Cooling contrast with refreshing, watery crunch.
- Green onions, chopped (2): Sprinkle on top for a sharp, oniony pop and color.
- Optional toppings (sesame seeds, cilantro, avocado slices): Elevate your bowl with nutty, herbaceous, and creamy notes.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: The Ultimate Easy Meal Prep Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Base
Start by cooking your chosen base of rice or noodles according to the package instructions. This foundational step ensures the base is perfectly tender and ready to soak up all the delicious sauce and juices from the chicken and toppings.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the minced garlic, sautéing for about 30 seconds until it releases its irresistible fragrance. Toss in the ground chicken, breaking it apart gently with your spatula, seasoning with salt, pepper, and optionally soy sauce or sesame oil. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink and slightly browned, which usually takes around 6 to 8 minutes. This step locks in flavor and ensures every bite is juicy and savory.
Step 3: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and if you like, a splash of rice vinegar. This vibrant sauce is the heart of the dish, blending creamy, sweet, tangy, and spicy notes that elevate the chicken and veggies with every drizzle.
Step 4: Assemble the Bowls
Divide the warm rice or noodles evenly into four bowls. Generously top each with the cooked chicken, shredded carrots, red cabbage or lettuce, cucumber slices, and green onions. Finally, drizzle each bowl with the bang bang sauce and complete with your favorite toppings like sesame seeds or creamy avocado to add that extra wow factor.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: The Ultimate Easy Meal Prep Recipe
Garnishes
The right garnishes don’t just add beauty; they add new dimensions of flavor and texture. Try crunchy sesame seeds for nuttiness, fresh cilantro for brightness and herbaceous lift, or creamy avocado slices that add a silky richness to balance the spicy sauce perfectly.
Side Dishes
This bowl is a hearty, complete meal on its own, but if you want to round it out, consider light and fresh sides. A crisp cucumber salad or a simple miso soup works beautifully, complementing the bold flavors without overpowering them.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: The Ultimate Easy Meal Prep Recipe in mason jars for grab-and-go meals or on large platter-style bowls for family-style dinners. Adding a wedge of lime or a sprinkle of chopped peanuts can bring a fun twist that’s visually appealing and taste-sensational.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The components of the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl store beautifully in separate airtight containers. Keep the chicken, sauce, base, and veggies apart to maintain the freshest textures. Stored properly in the fridge, leftovers will stay delicious for up to 4 days.
Freezing
While the chicken and sauce freeze well, the fresh vegetables and rice or noodles may lose texture after thawing. For best results, freeze only the cooked chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, and prepare fresh veggies and base when ready to eat.
Reheating
Reheat the frozen chicken and sauce gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. Add freshly chopped veggies, cucumber, and green onions when serving to preserve their crunch and brightness for that fresh homemade feel.
FAQs
Can I use other proteins besides ground chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey, finely chopped chicken breast or thigh, or even tofu work well in the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: The Ultimate Easy Meal Prep Recipe. Just adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure everything is fully cooked and flavorful.
Is this dish spicy?
The heat level is completely adjustable. The sriracha gives the sauce its kick, which you can reduce or omit for a milder flavor, or add extra if you crave more spice. The sweet chili sauce also balances the heat with sweetness for harmony.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes! Swap the chicken with crispy tofu or sautéed mushrooms for a satisfying vegetarian version that still captures the spirit and flavors of the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: The Ultimate Easy Meal Prep Recipe.
What type of rice is best to use?
All types work well, but jasmine or brown rice offer great texture and flavor. Noodles are a tasty alternative if you want a different base. Choose whatever suits your taste and dietary preferences.
How long does this meal prep stay fresh?
Stored in separate airtight containers, the components typically stay fresh for about 4 days in the refrigerator, making it perfect for weekday lunches or dinners.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about having a meal that’s both incredibly easy to prepare and bursting with exciting flavors. The Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: The Ultimate Easy Meal Prep Recipe fits the bill perfectly, combining simplicity with tastes that will keep you coming back for more. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do and that it brightens your mealtime with every bite!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: The Ultimate Easy Meal Prep Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a quick and flavorful meal prep favorite featuring tender ground chicken sautéed with garlic, tossed in a creamy, spicy Bang Bang sauce. Served over rice or noodles and topped with fresh shredded veggies and crisp cucumber slices, it’s a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors for an easy weeknight dinner or lunch.
Ingredients
Protein and Cooking
- 1 pound ground chicken (can also use chopped chicken breast or thigh)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 teaspoon soy sauce or sesame oil for extra depth
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise (regular or light)
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Optional: 1 teaspoon rice vinegar for tang
Base and Toppings
- 2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine) or noodles
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage or romaine lettuce
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Optional toppings: sesame seeds, cilantro, avocado slices
Instructions
- Cook your base. Prepare rice or noodles according to package directions. Once cooked, set aside and keep warm for assembling the bowls later.
- Cook the chicken. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the ground chicken, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Season with salt, pepper, and soy sauce or sesame oil if using. Cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.
- Make the Bang Bang sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar. Taste and adjust the spice level as desired to achieve the perfect balance of creamy and spicy flavors.
- Assemble the bowls. Divide the cooked rice or noodles evenly among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with the cooked chicken, shredded carrots, shredded red cabbage or romaine lettuce, cucumber slices, and chopped green onions. Drizzle generously with the prepared Bang Bang sauce. Finish with optional garnishes such as sesame seeds, cilantro, or avocado slices for extra flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a healthier option, use light mayonnaise and brown rice or whole wheat noodles.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha to control the spiciness of the Bang Bang sauce.
- Substitute ground chicken with chopped chicken breast or thigh for different texture.
- The sauce can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Add avocado slices right before serving to prevent browning.
