Bang Bang Chicken Crispy Rice (Printer-Friendly)
Crispy rice meets tender chicken in a vibrant salad with creamy spicy Bang Bang sauce for the perfect crunch.
# 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
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 Steps:
01 - In a bowl, combine chicken breasts with soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Let sit for at least 15 minutes.
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.
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 Hints:
01 -
- The texture contrast between crispy rice, tender chicken, and crisp vegetables creates an eating experience that keeps every bite interesting
- You can prep most components ahead, making it perfect for entertaining yourself on a Tuesday without the fuss
02 -
- Cold, day-old rice is absolutely essential—fresh rice contains too much moisture and will steam instead of crisp
- Don't rush the rice crisping step, that golden crust is what makes this salad special and worth every minute
- The salad needs to be served immediately after dressing, otherwise the rice will start to lose its crunch
03 -
- Cook the rice in a cast-iron skillet if you have one—it creates the most incredible golden crust
- Let the chicken rest for the full 5 minutes, otherwise all those juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in the salad