If you are craving a delightful dinner that bursts with flavor and texture, look no further than this Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice Recipe. It blends tender, crispy chicken tossed in spicy-sweet bang bang sauce with perfectly stir-fried rice, crunchy vegetables, and fluffy scrambled eggs. Every bite offers a harmonious mix of savory, tangy, and buttery notes that will satisfy any appetite. Whether you want a quick weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing dish, this recipe turns everyday ingredients into something extraordinary and mouthwatering.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A cooking pan sits on a wooden surface with fried rice on one side, made of light brown grains mixed with small orange carrot cubes and green peas, creating a colorful textured layer that covers about two-thirds of the pan. In the center, a bright yellow raw egg yolk with translucent egg white spreads out on the other side of the pan. Below, a woman’s hand is breaking an eggshell to add the egg into the pan. The pan has a dark non-stick surface with a honeycomb pattern visible underneath the food. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These ingredients are simple but essential to crafting the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and vibrant color that brings this Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice Recipe to life. Each component plays a special role, from the juicy chicken cubes spiced to perfection to the aromatic vegetables and luscious sauces that make this dish unforgettable.

Boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 ½ pounds): Cut into 1-inch cubes for quick, even cooking and easy tossing in sauce.
Vegetable oil (1 tablespoon): Helps season the chicken evenly and prevents sticking during cooking.
Paprika (1 teaspoon): Adds a smoky depth and beautiful color to the chicken.
Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): Infuses subtle warmth and savoriness to the protein.
Kosher salt (1 teaspoon plus ½ teaspoon): Enhances every ingredient’s natural flavors, helping balance the dish.
Black pepper (½ teaspoon): Provides a mild heat to elevate the savory notes.
Bang bang sauce (1 cup, divided): This creamy, spicy-sweet sauce is the star that makes this recipe truly special.
Sesame oil (2 tablespoons, divided): Adds a toasty, nutty aroma that perfectly complements fried rice.
Large eggs (4, beaten): Create fluffy, tender scrambled eggs that add richness and texture.
Carrots (2, diced): Bring a lovely crunch and natural sweetness.
White onion (1 large, diced): Offers sharpness and complexity as it softens during cooking.
Green onions (¼ cup diced, plus more for garnish): Adds fresh herbal brightness and a pop of color.
Minced garlic (1 teaspoon): Delivers fragrant pungency to round out the veggie base.
Long-grain white rice (4 cups cooked and cooled): The hearty foundation that soaks up all the delicious flavors.
Unsalted butter (¼ cup melted): Lends a velvety richness that ties the dish together.
Lemon juice (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle tang to brighten the flavor profile.
Soy sauce (2 tablespoons): Deepens savoriness and balances sweetness.
Frozen peas (⅓ cup): Sprinkle of sweetness and vibrant green color for a well-rounded dish.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken

Start by cutting your chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes to ensure they cook quickly and evenly. Toss them with vegetable oil, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper so each piece is beautifully coated with flavor. This step infuses the chicken with that irresistible smoky and garlicky foundation essential for the Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice Recipe.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F, then arrange the chicken cubes in a single layer in the basket. Depending on your air fryer’s size, you might need to cook in batches. Air fry the chicken for 11 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Tent the cooked chicken with foil to keep warm while you move on to the fried rice.

Step 3: Scramble the Eggs Just Right

Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet over high heat. Pour in the beaten eggs lightly seasoned with kosher salt and scramble gently until soft curds form but are still tender. Transfer the eggs onto a plate and set aside. This technique keeps your eggs fluffy and moist, adding a perfect texture contrast in the fried rice.

Step 4: Sauté the Vegetables

Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the remaining tablespoon of sesame oil to the skillet. Toss in diced carrots, white onions, and green onions. Cook for about 5 minutes until the carrots soften but still retain a bit of bite. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute to develop aromatic depth.

Step 5: Incorporate the Cooked Rice

Add the cooled, cooked rice to the skillet with vegetables. Break up any clumps using your spatula and stir thoroughly, letting the rice heat through evenly, about 2 to 3 minutes. This step ensures every grain is coated with the vibrant vegetable flavors and sesame oil’s nuttiness.

Step 6: Add Eggs, Butter, and Seasonings

Return the scrambled eggs to the pan. Stir in melted butter, lemon juice, soy sauce, and frozen peas. Mix everything thoroughly and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the peas are heated and the fried rice is richly flavored and luscious.

Step 7: Toss Chicken in Bang Bang Sauce

Right before serving, toss the warm air-fried chicken cubes with ½ cup of bang bang sauce. This coats the chicken in that creamy, spicy, sweet glaze that defines the bang bang flavor profile in our Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice Recipe.

Step 8: Combine and Garnish

Finally, pile the bang bang chicken on top of your fried rice. Drizzle with remaining bang bang sauce if you want an extra kick and garnish liberally with fresh green onions. This presentation is as inviting as it is delicious.

How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

A white bowl filled with fried rice that has three main layers: at the bottom are fluffy cooked rice grains mixed with small green peas and orange carrot cubes, the middle layer shows scrambled egg pieces softly mixed with the rice, and the top layer features shiny, browned chicken pieces glazed with a glossy sauce. The rice looks lightly sticky and mixed with some herbs, while bright green chopped scallions are sprinkled on top, adding color contrast. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with a fork nearby and blurred bowls of sauce and chopped scallions in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Extra diced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds brighten the plate visually and add fresh vibrancy. For a bit of contrast and a hint of crunch, consider a few thin slices of red chili or a wedge of lime on the side to squeeze over the top for that citrusy zing.

Side Dishes

This dish is fantastic on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, light Asian-inspired sides like steamed edamame, crunchy cucumber salad, or simple miso soup complement the bold flavors beautifully without overwhelming them.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice Recipe in individual bowls topped with a fresh cilantro sprig or a calming side of pickled vegetables to balance the heat. For dinner parties, use vibrant serving platters and garnish generously to impress your guests with both taste and style.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors meld over time, and it makes for one of those even better-next-day meals.

Freezing

You can freeze the fried rice and the cooked chicken separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. This allows you to enjoy the dish any night you want with minimal prep—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. Toss gently to rewarm the chicken and fried rice evenly, finishing with a fresh drizzle of bang bang sauce for that just-made taste.

FAQs

Can I make the Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari instead of regular soy sauce and double-check your bang bang sauce ingredients to ensure they contain no gluten.

Is an air fryer necessary for cooking the chicken?

While the air fryer makes cooking quick and healthy with a crispy finish, you can also cook the chicken in a hot skillet or oven if you do not have one, just be sure to get a nice golden crust.

What can I substitute for bang bang sauce if I can’t find it?

You can make a simple bang bang-inspired sauce by mixing mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and a splash of rice vinegar to mimic that creamy, spicy-sweet flavor perfect for this recipe.

Can this recipe be made vegetarian?

Definitely! Swap the chicken for tofu cubes, seasoned and air-fried or pan-fried until crispy, and use a vegetarian bang bang sauce without fish ingredients for a tasty plant-based twist.

What’s the best way to cook rice ahead for fried rice?

Cook the rice a day in advance and let it cool completely, ideally in the refrigerator overnight. This dries the grains slightly, preventing clumping and producing the perfect texture for fried rice.

Final Thoughts

This Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice Recipe is the kind of dish you’ll want to make again and again. From the perfectly cooked chicken bursting with bold bang bang sauce to the rich, flavorful fried rice, every bite feels like a comforting hug with a little kick. Give it a whirl—you’ll soon find it’s a family favorite that’s both fun to prepare and impossible to resist.