Description
This Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is a vibrant, flavorful dish combining tender chicken pieces sautéed with bell peppers in a spicy, creamy Sriracha-lime sauce, served over steamed rice. It offers a perfect balance of heat, tang, and freshness, making it a quick and easy meal for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp cooking oil (such as vegetable or olive oil)
Vegetables
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup assorted bell peppers, sliced (red, yellow, green)
- 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Grains
- 1 cup white or brown rice
Sauce
- 3 tbsp Sriracha sauce (adjust for spice level)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season them generously with salt and pepper. This will ensure the chicken is well-flavored throughout.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and sauté until they are golden brown and the juices run clear, about 6-8 minutes. Stir occasionally to cook evenly.
- Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Sriracha sauce, and lime juice until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning or Sriracha quantity to suit your preferred spice level.
- Sauté the vegetables: Using the same skillet, add the sliced bell peppers and garlic. Sauté them for 3-4 minutes or until they are just tender to maintain some crunch and freshness.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the peppers. Pour the prepared sauce over the mixture, stirring well to coat all ingredients evenly. Heat everything together for about 2 minutes until warmed through.
- Cook the rice: While preparing the chicken and vegetables, cook 1 cup of rice according to package instructions until fluffy and tender.
- Assemble the bowls: Serve the saucy chicken and bell pepper mixture over the cooked rice. Garnish with thinly sliced cucumbers and chopped green onions for added freshness and crunch.
Notes
- You can substitute mayo with Greek yogurt for a lighter sauce.
- Adjust the amount of Sriracha to manage the spiciness according to your taste.
- Brown rice can be used as a healthier alternative to white rice but may require longer cooking time.
- Adding a squeeze of extra lime juice when serving can brighten the flavors further.
- Meal prep tip: Cook chicken and rice in advance and store separately. Reheat and combine with fresh peppers for quick meals.
