Bang Bang Chicken and Fried Rice
A delightful combination of tender chicken in a spicy sauce with flavorful fried rice.
Equipment
- Air fryer For cooking the chicken.
- Skillet For making the fried rice.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 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
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup bang bang sauce divided
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil divided
- 4 large eggs beaten
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large carrots diced
- 1 large white onion diced
- 0.25 cup green onions diced, plus more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 4 cups long-grain white rice cooked and cooled
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 0.33 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the cubed chicken with vegetable oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well coated. This step ensures that the chicken is flavorful.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Preheating is crucial for achieving that crispy texture.
- Place the seasoned chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 11–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remember, cooking times may vary based on the air fryer model.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a medium bowl, cover with foil to keep warm, and set aside.
- In a large skillet over high heat, add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Pour in the beaten eggs, sprinkle with salt, and scramble gently until just set. Transfer eggs to a plate. This step adds a rich texture to the fried rice.
- Reduce heat to medium-high. Add the remaining sesame oil, diced carrots, onion, and green onions. Cook for about 5 minutes until carrots are tender. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add the cooled rice to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula and stirring into the vegetables. Cook for 2–3 minutes until heated through.
- Mix in the scrambled eggs, melted butter, lemon juice, soy sauce, and peas. Stir well and cook for another 2–3 minutes until everything is hot and coated. This creates a deliciously creamy fried rice.
- Just before serving, mix the cooked chicken with ½ cup of Bang Bang Sauce. The sauce adds that signature kick!
- Serve by topping the fried rice with the bang bang chicken. Drizzle with additional Bang Bang Sauce if desired and garnish with extra green onions for a pop of color.
Notes
For a spicier kick, add some red pepper flakes to the fried rice.