Tasty Chicken Fried Rice

This filling Bang Bang Chicken Fried Rice turns ordinary leftover rice into an amazing dinner packed with tasty goodness. Mixing soft air-fried chicken chunks, fluffy egg bits, and bright veggies makes a dish that feels like you ordered from your favorite restaurant.

I came up with this dish when I wanted to wow my partner with something tastier than delivery food. These days it's our end-of-week tradition when we're craving comfort without going out. The mix of crunchy chicken covered in that can't-stop-eating Bang Bang sauce always has everyone asking for more.

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Diced into chunks; they stay moist and tender when cooked in the air fryer.
• Vegetable oil: Gets the chicken nice and crunchy when air fried.
• Paprika: Gives a nice reddish tint and gentle smoky taste.
• Garlic powder: Adds flavor to the chicken without burning like fresh garlic might.
• Kosher salt: Brings out all the tastes; Diamond Crystal works really well here.
• Black pepper: Adds a bit of warmth and depth to everything.
• Bang Bang sauce: Creates that signature sweet-spicy-creamy flavor everyone loves.
• Sesame oil: Brings that authentic nutty smell and taste.
• Large eggs: Make soft, fluffy bits throughout your rice.
• Carrots: Add a touch of natural sweetness and orange color.
• White onion: Forms the tasty background flavor for everything else.
• Green onions: Give a fresh taste and look nice as a topping.
• Garlic: Freshly chopped adds wonderful smell and flavor.
• Long grain white rice: Makes up the main part of the dish; works better if it's a day old.
• Unsalted butter: Makes the rice taste extra good with its richness.
• Lemon juice: Wakes up all the flavors with a touch of tang.
• Soy sauce: Adds that savory, slightly salty taste throughout.
• Frozen peas: Give little bursts of sweetness and bright green color.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Season the Chicken:

Mix the chicken chunks with vegetable oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a big bowl. Stir it all up so every piece gets coated. These spices make the chicken tasty before you even add the Bang Bang sauce.

Air Fry to Perfection:

Get your air fryer hot at 200°C. Put the chicken in one layer, working in batches if your fryer's small. Cook for 11 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway. The chicken should reach 74°C inside and look golden brown outside. Put it in a bowl and cover with foil to stay warm while you make the rice.

Create the Egg Component:

Warm up half the sesame oil in a big pan or wok on high heat until it's shiny. Pour in eggs with a pinch of salt. Let them start to set, then gently fold to make big, soft pieces. Cook just until they're not runny but still soft. Put them on a plate for later. Don't cook too long or they'll get tough.

Sauté the Vegetables:

Turn heat to medium-high and add the rest of the sesame oil to the same pan. Throw in the chopped carrots, white onion, and green onions. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until carrots start getting softer but still have some crunch. Add the chopped garlic and cook just 1 more minute until you can smell it. Watch carefully since garlic burns fast.

Incorporate the Rice:

Add your cool rice to the veggie mix, breaking up any clumps with your spoon. Cold rice breaks apart better than fresh hot rice. Keep stirring to mix rice with veggies and lightly toast the grains. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the rice is hot and gets slightly crispy on some edges.

Combine All Components:

Gently mix in the cooked eggs, melted butter, lemon juice, soy sauce, and frozen peas. The hot rice will quickly thaw the peas. Stir everything well so all the ingredients get mixed in evenly and cook another 2 to 3 minutes until it's all hot and combined.

Finish with Bang Bang Sauce:

Toss the cooked chicken with half the Bang Bang sauce in a separate bowl until coated. Serve rice with the saucy chicken on top, drizzle more Bang Bang sauce if you want, and sprinkle with extra green onions for freshness and color.

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That Bang Bang sauce really makes this dish special. I stumbled on this awesome combo while playing around with different Asian-style sauces. Even my daughter, who usually stays away from spicy stuff, wolfed this down and wanted the recipe to take back to her dorm. There's something about that creamy, sweet heat that just makes food taste amazing.

Make Ahead Tips

This dish is great for planning meals ahead. You can get everything ready separately up to two days before you need it. Cook and cool your rice, air fry your chicken pieces and keep them in containers in the fridge, and chop all your veggies. When you're ready to eat, just warm everything up and mix it all together in the final steps. The Bang Bang sauce actually gets tastier after sitting in the fridge for a day as all the flavors blend together nicely.

Perfect Bang Bang Sauce

If you want to make your own Bang Bang sauce instead of buying it, just mix 120ml mayo, 60ml sweet chili sauce, 15ml sriracha, 5ml rice vinegar, and 5g honey. Add more or less sriracha depending on how spicy you like things. Making it yourself lets you control exactly how spicy, sweet, or tangy you want it. Keep it in a container in the fridge for up to a week.

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Vegetable Variations

While I've listed carrots, peas, and onions here, you can really use whatever veggies you have around. Try adding chopped bell peppers, sugar snap peas, corn kernels, or small broccoli pieces. Just remember that harder veggies need to cook longer and softer ones should go in later. I often use this dish to use up whatever's in my veggie drawer, so it turns out different each time. For extra nutrition, try tossing in some spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use pre-cooked chicken instead?

Absolutely! Just mix leftover chicken with warm sauce right before serving to give it flavor.

→ Which type of rice works best?

Day-old white rice, especially long-grain, keeps things light and soaks up the sauce nicely.

→ How can I swap the chicken for a vegetarian option?

Replace chicken with tofu or plant-based protein, and use a veggie-friendly sauce if needed.

→ Can I include extra vegetables?

For sure! Add bell peppers, zucchini, or other favorites to boost the flavor and crunch.

→ What's the best way to warm up leftovers?

Heat the rice in a skillet with a dash of water or oil to keep it from drying and sticking.