This Bang Bang Chicken Salad is everything you want in a satisfying meal: creamy, spicy, crunchy, fresh, and colorful. Tender shredded chicken, crisp vegetables, golden crispy rice, and tangy pickled red onion come together under a creamy homemade bang bang dressing. It has all the fun of a bang bang chicken bowl with the freshness of a hearty salad.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There is so much texture packed into every bite. The crispy rice adds an irresistible crunch, while cucumber, carrot, cilantro, and mixed greens keep everything fresh and vibrant.
The creamy dressing balances tangy rice vinegar, sweet honey, and spicy sriracha without overpowering the other ingredients. This healthy chicken salad is also easy to customize for different spice preferences, making it a practical family-friendly lunch or dinner.
Best of all, using cooked shredded chicken makes assembly quick. Prepare the crispy rice and dressing ahead of time, and the final bowls come together in minutes.
Ingredients
Bang Bang Dressing
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1–2 teaspoons sriracha
- 2 teaspoons honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Salad
- 1 batch crispy rice
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 8 cups mixed greens, roughly chopped
- 4 mini cucumbers, sliced into rounds
- 1 medium carrot, grated (about 1 cup)
- ½ cup cilantro, roughly chopped
- Pickled red onion, to taste
- Extra cilantro for serving, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the crispy rice according to your preferred method. Cook until golden and crisp, then set it aside while you assemble the remaining ingredients.
- Add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sriracha, honey, and salt to a medium bowl. Whisk until completely smooth and creamy.
- Taste the dressing. Add the remaining sriracha for extra heat or a small pinch of salt if needed.
- Divide the chopped mixed greens evenly between four serving bowls.
- Arrange the shredded chicken, cucumber, grated carrot, cilantro, pickled red onion, and crispy rice over the greens.
- Generously drizzle the dressing over each Bang Bang Chicken Salad just before serving.
- Finish with additional cilantro if desired and serve immediately while the rice is still crunchy.
Tips & Tricks
For the best crispy rice chicken salad, add the rice immediately before serving. Leaving crispy rice in contact with the dressing for too long can soften its crunchy texture.
Start with just 1 teaspoon of sriracha when making the dressing, especially when serving children or anyone sensitive to spicy food. You can always add more after tasting.
Rotisserie-style chicken can save preparation time, but check that it is halal-certified if needed. Leftover homemade roasted or grilled chicken breast works equally well.
For an extra-creamy dressing, use full-fat Greek yogurt. A lower-fat yogurt works too, although the consistency may be slightly lighter.
If cilantro isn’t your favorite, try chopped parsley or sliced green onions instead.
Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes, depending on crispy rice method
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Salad, Main Course
Method: Assembly
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly; gluten-free when all packaged sauces and condiments are certified gluten-free
Notes
For a heartier bang bang chicken bowl, increase the amount of crispy rice or serve the salad with additional rice on the side.
You can substitute shredded chicken breast with chopped grilled chicken thighs for a richer flavor. For a lighter dressing, replace some or all of the mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt.
The vegetables are flexible, too. Shredded cabbage, bell peppers, edamame, radishes, or avocado can all complement this spicy chicken salad.
Always check packaged ingredients such as mayonnaise, sriracha, and prepared pickled onions if you follow specific halal or dietary certification requirements.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per serving will vary depending on the quantity and preparation method of the crispy rice and dressing.
Calories: Approximately 450–550 kcal
Protein: Approximately 30–35 g
Carbohydrates: Approximately 40–50 g
Fat: Approximately 18–24 g
FAQ
What is Bang Bang Chicken Salad?
It is a fresh chicken salad featuring a creamy, slightly sweet and spicy dressing. This version adds crispy rice, cucumber, carrots, cilantro, and pickled red onion for additional crunch, color, and flavor.
Is Bang Bang Chicken Salad spicy?
It can be mild or spicy depending on how much sriracha you use. Start with 1 teaspoon for gentle heat and increase it gradually to suit your preference.
How do I keep crispy rice crunchy in a salad?
Keep the crispy rice separate until you are ready to eat. Add it to the salad immediately before the dressing so it retains as much crunch as possible.
Can I prepare this crispy rice salad ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the chicken, vegetables, dressing, and crispy rice ahead of time, but store the components separately. Assemble the salad shortly before serving for the best texture.
Can I make a bang bang chicken bowl instead?
Yes. Use rice or crispy rice as the base instead of mixed greens, then add the chicken, vegetables, pickled onions, cilantro, and dressing.
What can I use instead of sriracha?
A halal-friendly chili garlic sauce or another favorite hot sauce can work. Because heat and sweetness vary between sauces, add a small amount first and adjust after tasting.
Storage
Store leftover chicken, vegetables, and dressing in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days, provided the cooked chicken has been handled and chilled safely. For the best texture, keep the crispy rice and dressing separate from the greens.
The assembled salad is not ideal for freezing. Cooked chicken can be frozen separately in a freezer-safe container, but fresh greens, cucumbers, and creamy dressing are best enjoyed fresh.
If reheating refrigerated chicken, warm it separately until thoroughly heated, then add it to the fresh salad. Re-crisp leftover rice in the oven or air fryer before serving when appropriate for your crispy rice recipe.
Similar Recipes
Bang Bang Chicken Salad with Crispy Rice
Ingredients
Bang Bang Dressing
- – ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- – 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- – 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- – 1–2 teaspoons sriracha
- – 2 teaspoons honey
- – ¼ teaspoon salt
Salad
- – 1 batch crispy rice
- – 2 cups cooked chicken breast shredded
- – 8 cups mixed greens roughly chopped
- – 4 mini cucumbers sliced into rounds
- – 1 medium carrot grated (about 1 cup)
- – ½ cup cilantro roughly chopped
- – Pickled red onion to taste
- – Extra cilantro for serving optional
Instructions
- Prepare the crispy rice according to your preferred method. Cook until golden and crisp, then set it aside while you assemble the remaining ingredients.
- Add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sriracha, honey, and salt to a medium bowl. Whisk until completely smooth and creamy.
- Taste the dressing. Add the remaining sriracha for extra heat or a small pinch of salt if needed.
- Divide the chopped mixed greens evenly between four serving bowls.
- Arrange the shredded chicken, cucumber, grated carrot, cilantro, pickled red onion, and crispy rice over the greens.
- Generously drizzle the dressing over each Bang Bang Chicken Salad just before serving.
- Finish with additional cilantro if desired and serve immediately while the rice is still crunchy.
Notes
Conclusion
This Bang Bang Chicken Salad makes an easy meal feel much more exciting. Between the tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, tangy pickled onions, crispy rice, and creamy sweet-spicy dressing, every forkful offers a satisfying combination of flavors and textures.
Keep the components separate for meal prep or assemble everything for a colorful family dinner. Either way, it is an approachable recipe that can easily be adjusted to your preferred level of heat.