Get ready to skip the takeout menu for good. This Bang Bang Fried Rice recipe is about to become your new weeknight obsession. It combines fluffy, perfectly cooked rice, tender chicken, and crisp vegetables, all tossed in a signature creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce. It’s an explosion of flavor that comes together in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect solution for busy evenings when you’re craving something spectacular without the fuss.
What is Bang Bang Sauce?
At its heart, Bang Bang sauce is a deceptively simple yet incredibly flavorful condiment. The classic version is a creamy blend of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and a kick of sriracha or another chili-garlic sauce. This trio creates a perfect balance of creamy, sweet, spicy, and tangy notes that makes it irresistibly addictive. It’s famous for pairing with shrimp and chicken, but as you’ll see with this fried rice, it’s a versatile sauce that can elevate almost any dish.
Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Fried Rice Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: The sauce is the star, delivering a creamy, sweet, and spicy punch that coats every grain of rice.
- Quick and Easy: This entire meal comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
- Customizable: Easily swap chicken for shrimp, add your favorite vegetables, or adjust the spice level to your liking.
- Better Than Takeout: It has all the flavor of your favorite restaurant dish, but it’s fresher, healthier, and made right in your own kitchen. For another fantastic takeout-style meal, try our easy chow mein recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly memorable meal. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Fried Rice:
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small bite-sized pieces.
- Rice: Day-old, cold-cooked white rice is essential for getting that perfect fried rice texture.
- Vegetables: We use a simple mix of frozen peas and carrots for convenience, plus finely chopped onion and minced garlic for the flavor base.
- Eggs: Lightly beaten eggs create those delicious, fluffy curds throughout the rice.
- Soy Sauce: Use a low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness.
- Sesame Oil: A drizzle at the end adds a wonderful nutty, aromatic finish.
- Vegetable Oil: For sautéing the chicken and vegetables.
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base of our sauce.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds a touch of sweetness and mild heat.
- Sriracha: For that signature spicy kick. Feel free to add more or less to suit your taste.
- Lime Juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens up all the flavors.
How to Make Bang Bang Fried Rice
Follow these simple steps to create the perfect fried rice every time. It’s a straightforward process that delivers restaurant-quality results.
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Set it aside while you prepare the rice.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Veggies: Add a bit more oil to the same skillet. Sauté the chopped onion until softened, then add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the frozen peas and carrots, cooking until they are heated through.
- Scramble the Eggs: Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet. Pour the beaten eggs onto the empty side and cook, scrambling with a spatula, until they are just set.
- Combine and Fry: Add the cold, cooked rice and the cooked chicken back into the skillet with the vegetables and eggs. Pour the soy sauce over the rice and stir-fry everything together, breaking up any clumps of rice. Continue to cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the rice is heated through.
- Sauce and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Drizzle with the Bang Bang sauce and a touch of sesame oil. Toss everything together until the rice is evenly coated. Serve immediately, garnished with sliced green onions if desired. If you enjoy this flavor profile, you might also like these Honey Garlic Salmon Bites.
Pro Tips for Perfect Fried Rice
- Use Cold Rice: This is the most important tip! Day-old, refrigerated rice is drier, which allows the grains to separate and fry properly instead of steaming and clumping together.
- High Heat is Key: A hot wok or skillet is crucial for getting that slightly crispy texture and “wok hei” flavor.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook in batches if necessary. Overcrowding lowers the temperature, leading to steamed, soggy rice.
- Prep Ahead: Have all your ingredients chopped and ready to go before you start cooking. The stir-frying process is very fast! For another great meal prep idea, check out this High-Protein Italian Pasta Salad.
FAQs About Bang Bang Fried Rice
Absolutely! This recipe is very versatile. Simply substitute the chicken with one pound of peeled and deveined shrimp. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes, or until pink and opaque, and then proceed with the recipe as written.
To prevent soggy fried rice, make sure you use cold, day-old rice. Also, cook over high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan, which can steam the ingredients instead of frying them. Cook in batches if necessary.
Store leftover Bang Bang Fried Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of oil or in the microwave until warmed through. The sauce may thicken in the fridge, but it will loosen up as it heats.
Bang Bang sauce is a simple, creamy sauce typically made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha or another chili-garlic sauce. This combination creates its signature sweet, spicy, and creamy flavor profile.
The best rice for fried rice is medium or long-grain rice that has been cooked and completely chilled. Using day-old, refrigerated rice is ideal because it’s drier, which helps the grains stay separate and prevents the dish from becoming mushy.
More Delicious Recipes
We hope you love this incredible Bang Bang Fried Rice! It’s a dish that proves homemade can be just as exciting and delicious as any restaurant meal. If you make it, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment and rating below. For more culinary inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!
Bang Bang Fried Rice Recipe
Bang Bang Fried Rice (Better Than Takeout)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and fresh lime juice. Set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until soft, about 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the frozen peas and carrots and cook until heated through.
- Scramble Eggs: Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet. Pour the beaten eggs on the empty side and cook, stirring, until scrambled.
- Combine and Fry: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cold rice and soy sauce. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, breaking up rice clumps, until everything is heated through.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat. Drizzle with the Bang Bang sauce and sesame oil. Toss to coat everything evenly. Serve immediately.
Notes
Customize It: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or mushrooms. You can also swap the chicken for shrimp or tofu.
Spice Level: Adjust the amount of sriracha in the sauce to make it as mild or spicy as you prefer.
