Description

Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice is a flavorful dish combining tender, spicy chicken air-fried to perfection with savory fried rice loaded with vegetables and scrambled eggs. This recipe features the zesty kick of bang bang sauce and the subtle umami of soy sauce, making it a complete and satisfying meal that’s quick to prepare using a combination of air frying and stovetop cooking.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup bang bang sauce, divided

Eggs and Rice Mixture

2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
4 large eggs, beaten
½ teaspoon kosher salt (for eggs)
2 large carrots, diced
1 large white onion, diced
¼ cup green onions, diced, plus more for garnish
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
4 cups long-grain white rice, cooked and cooled (preferably day-old)
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
⅓ cup frozen peas

Instructions

Prepare Chicken: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Toss the cubed chicken with vegetable oil, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper ensuring all pieces are evenly coated.
Air Fry Chicken: Place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 11–12 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior.
Scramble Eggs: Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add beaten eggs seasoned with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and scramble until just set. Remove the eggs from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of sesame oil. Add diced carrots, white onion, and ¼ cup chopped green onions. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Cook Rice: Add the cooked, cooled rice to the sautéed vegetables. Break up any clumps with a spatula and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until the rice gets slightly crispy and heated through.
Combine Ingredients: Stir in the scrambled eggs, melted butter, fresh lemon juice, soy sauce, and frozen peas into the rice mixture. Continue to cook for another 2–3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and peas to warm through.
Prepare Chicken with Sauce: Toss the air-fried chicken pieces with ½ cup of the bang bang sauce until they are well coated and vibrant in color.
Assemble and Serve: Serve the fried rice topped with the bang bang chicken. Drizzle additional bang bang sauce on top and garnish with extra chopped green onions for freshness and presentation.

Notes

Using day-old rice is best to prevent the dish from becoming mushy and helps achieve the desired fried rice texture.
If you don’t have an air fryer, the chicken can be cooked in a hot skillet, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
Bake or fry chicken if you want a different texture, but air frying keeps it healthier and crisp.
Adjust the amount of bang bang sauce depending on your preferred spice and flavor level.
For a gluten-free version, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American-Chinese Fusion

Keywords: Bang Bang Chicken, Fried Rice, Air Fryer Chicken, Easy Chicken Recipes, Asian Fusion, Quick Dinner