Bang Bang Chicken Crispy Rice Salad (Printable)
Crispy rice, tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and creamy spicy Bang Bang sauce create perfect 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 pepper, to taste
→ Crispy Rice
06 - 2 cups cooked jasmine rice (day-old, cold)
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 (or to taste)
12 - 1 teaspoon honey
13 - Juice of 1/2 lime
→ Salad
14 - 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
15 - 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
16 - 1 large carrot, julienned
17 - 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
18 - 2 green onions, sliced
19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
→ Toppings
20 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
21 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
# How To Make:
01 - In a bowl, combine chicken breasts with soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Let sit for at least 15 minutes to absorb flavors.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add vegetable oil. Press the cold cooked rice into an even layer and sprinkle with salt. Let cook undisturbed for 6–8 minutes until the bottom is golden and crisp. Flip or stir to crisp more surfaces, cooking another 4–6 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
03 - Grill or pan-sear the marinated chicken over medium-high heat for 6–7 minutes per side or until cooked through. Let rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and lime juice until smooth and fully combined.
05 - On a large platter or four bowls, arrange lettuce, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, green onions, and cilantro. Scatter the crispy rice on top. Add sliced chicken.
06 - Drizzle the Bang Bang sauce generously over the salad. Garnish with chopped peanuts and sesame seeds. Serve immediately for maximum crunch.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast between warm crispy rice, cool crunchy vegetables, and that creamy spicy sauce hits every craving at once
- Its the kind of dinner that looks impressive but uses pantry staples and leftover rice
02 -
- If your rice isnt getting crispy enough, pat it dry with paper towels before adding to the pan and resist the urge to stir too frequently
- The sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and actually gets better as the flavors meld together
03 -
- Make double the crispy rice and snack on it straight from the pan—I've never been able to resist
- If your Bang Bang sauce tastes too sharp, add another teaspoon of honey to round it out