Bang Bang Chicken Salad Recipe

This Bang Bang Chicken Salad is a vibrant explosion of flavors that combines tender shredded chicken with a creamy, sweet-spicy sauce and fresh crunchy vegetables. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect balance of protein, veggies, and noodles with an addictive dressing that will have you coming back for seconds. This colorful dish is ideal for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the dressing – use whole-egg mayo for the richest flavor and best texture.
• Sweet Chili Sauce: Provides that perfect balance of sweetness and mild heat that makes bang bang sauce so addictive.
• Tamari or Soy Sauce: Adds that essential umami depth to both the chicken marinade and dressing.
• Rice Wine Vinegar: Brings a bright acidity that cuts through the richness of the mayo-based dressing.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps the dressing cling beautifully to all the ingredients.
• Sriracha: Optional but recommended for that signature bang bang heat – adjust based on your spice preference.
• Chicken Breast: The protein star that absorbs all the delicious marinade flavors – boneless and skinless works best for quick cooking.
• Spices: Sweet paprika and onion powder create depth of flavor without overpowering the other elements.
• Rice Noodles: The perfect vehicle for soaking up the creamy dressing while maintaining a light texture.
• Cabbage: Both wombok (Napa) and purple cabbage bring essential crunch and color to the dish.
• Carrot and Bean Sprouts: Add freshness, additional crunch, and nutritional value.
• Herbs and Toppings: Fresh coriander, spring onions, and crispy fried shallots take this dish from good to unforgettable.

Variations

Protein Swaps

Try using grilled shrimp, crispy tofu, or thinly sliced beef instead of chicken for a delicious twist.

Noodle Alternatives

Swap the rice noodles for soba, udon, or even zucchini noodles for a lower-carb option.

Heat Level Adjustments

Make it milder by reducing the sriracha, or spice it up with extra chili sauce and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.

Add-Ins

Toss in some sliced avocado, edamame beans, or crushed peanuts for extra texture and nutritional boost.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Dressing

Combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, tamari, rice wine vinegar, honey, sriracha, and grated garlic in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and set aside to let the flavors meld.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Place chicken in a shallow bowl. Add paprika, onion powder, black pepper, tamari, brown sugar, and olive oil. Toss thoroughly with tongs until evenly coated.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Heat a large, heavy-based pan over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Add water in the final minutes to deglaze the pan and capture all those flavorful bits. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then shred using two forks.

Step 4: Prepare the Noodles

Cook the vermicelli rice noodles according to package instructions. Rinse thoroughly under cold water to stop cooking and remove excess starch. Drain well.

Step 5: Assemble the Salad

On a large serving platter, create your salad by layering noodles first, followed by both types of cabbage, carrot, bean sprouts, and finally the shredded chicken.

Step 6: Dress and Finish

Generously drizzle the bang bang dressing over the entire salad. Top with sliced spring onions, fresh coriander, and crispy fried shallots just before serving.

How to Serve

This vibrant Bang Bang Chicken Salad makes for a stunning presentation when served family-style on a large platter, allowing everyone to appreciate the beautiful layers before digging in.

Perfect Pairings

Serve with a side of chilled cucumber soup in summer or vegetable dumplings for a more substantial meal.

Entertaining Idea

For a party, set up a bang bang salad bar with the components separate so guests can build their own bowls with their preferred ratio of ingredients.

Drink Pairings

A cold lager beer, a crisp Riesling, or even a lemongrass iced tea complements the sweet-spicy flavors beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Components Separately

For best results, store the dressing, cooked chicken, and prepped vegetables separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.

Assembled Salad Storage

Once assembled with dressing, the salad is best consumed within 24 hours, though the flavors remain delicious even as the textures soften.

Freezing

The cooked, shredded chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before adding to your fresh salad components.

Reheating

This salad is designed to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, but if you prefer, the chicken can be gently reheated before assembling.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Bang Bang Chicken Salad brings restaurant-quality flavors to your dining table with surprisingly little effort. The combination of textures and that irresistible creamy-spicy-sweet dressing makes it a standout dish that feels special enough for guests yet simple enough for weeknights. Don’t be surprised if this colorful, flavor-packed salad becomes a regular request in your household – it certainly has in mine!

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