Bang Bang Chicken Crispy Rice Salad (Printable version)
Crispy rice, tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and creamy spicy Bang Bang sauce create perfect texture harmony.
# 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
# Directions:
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 advice:
01 -
- The crispy rice creates this incredible texture contrast that makes every bite exciting
- You get that perfect balance of cool fresh vegetables and warm crispy elements
- The Bang Bang sauce is honestly addictive—I catch myself wanting to put it on everything
02 -
- Using day-old refrigerated rice is non-negotiable for getting that restaurant-quality crunch
- The crispy rice softens quickly once sauced, so serve this immediately after assembling
- You can make the sauce and cook the chicken ahead, but always crisp the rice right before serving
03 -
- Slice all your vegetables while the chicken marinades—mise en place makes the actual assembly feel effortless
- Warm your serving bowls slightly if you want the crispy rice to stay crunchy longer
- Leftover sauce (if you somehow have any) is fantastic as a dip for spring rolls