Get ready to ditch the takeout menu. This Bang Bang Fried Rice recipe is about to revolutionize your weeknight dinner routine. Imagine fluffy fried rice, crisp vegetables, and your choice of tender chicken or succulent shrimp, all tossed in a creamy, spicy, and irresistibly savory sauce. This isn’t just another fried rice; it’s an explosion of flavor that’s surprisingly easy to make right at home. We’ve cracked the code to that perfect restaurant-quality taste, and we’re sharing all the secrets with you.
What Makes This Bang Bang Fried Rice Recipe So Special?
Three things set this recipe apart: the sauce, the technique, and the versatility. First, our homemade bang bang sauce is perfectly balanced—creamy, sweet, and spicy, it coats every single grain of rice. Second, we share the essential tips, like using day-old rice, to get that authentic, non-soggy texture. Finally, this recipe is designed for you. Whether you’re craving shrimp, chicken, or even a vegetarian version, the results are flawless every time.
The Secret is in the Sauce: Homemade Bang Bang Sauce
The heart and soul of this dish is the iconic Bang Bang sauce. It’s a creamy, mayonnaise-based sauce that gets its signature sweet and spicy flavor from sweet chili sauce and a kick of sriracha. Making it at home is incredibly simple and allows you to control the flavors perfectly.
Bang Bang Sauce Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to whip up this addictive sauce. It’s the perfect blend of creamy, spicy, and sweet that makes this dish famous.
- Mayonnaise: This creates the creamy base. For best results, use a full-fat, high-quality mayonnaise like Duke’s or Kewpie.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: This provides the signature sweet and slightly tangy flavor.
- Sriracha: Brings the heat! You can add more or less depending on your spice preference.
- Rice Vinegar: A splash of acidity to cut through the richness and balance the flavors.
How to Make the Sauce
This might be the easiest part of the recipe. Simply combine the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar in a small bowl. Whisk until it’s completely smooth and creamy. That’s it! You can make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Fried Rice
A great fried rice starts with great ingredients. Proper preparation is key, so have everything chopped and ready to go before you even think about turning on the stove. This is a fast-moving recipe!
For the Fried Rice Base
- Cooked Rice: The absolute most important tip is to use cold, day-old cooked rice. This prevents it from getting mushy. Jasmine rice is a fantastic choice.
- Eggs: Lightly scrambled to add texture and protein.
- Vegetables: We’re using a classic mix of carrots, peas, and onion. Yellow onion and green onions provide two layers of flavor.
- Garlic & Ginger: Freshly minced garlic and ginger create the aromatic foundation.
- Soy Sauce: For that essential savory, umami flavor. Use a low-sodium version to better control the saltiness.
- Sesame Oil: A little goes a long way! It adds a wonderful, nutty aroma at the very end.
Choose Your Protein
- Shrimp: Use medium-sized shrimp, peeled and deveined. Pat them completely dry before cooking to ensure a good sear.
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into small, bite-sized pieces, works perfectly.
How to Make the Perfect Bang Bang Fried Rice: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps closely for fried rice perfection. The key is to work quickly over high heat, so make sure you have your ingredients prepped and within arm’s reach (a concept chefs call “mise en place”).
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar until smooth. Set aside.
- Cook the Protein: Season your chosen protein (chicken or shrimp) with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Cook the protein until it’s cooked through and lightly golden. Remove it from the skillet and set it aside.
- Scramble the Eggs: Add the beaten eggs to the same skillet. Scramble them quickly, breaking them into small pieces. Once cooked, remove them from the skillet and set them aside with the protein.
- Sauté the Aromatics and Veggies: Add a bit more oil to the skillet. Sauté the diced onion until it begins to soften. Then, add the minced garlic and ginger and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the frozen peas and carrots, cooking until they are heated through.
- Fry the Rice: Turn the heat up to high. Add the cold rice to the skillet with the vegetables. Drizzle with soy sauce. Use your spatula to break up any clumps, stirring and tossing continuously for 3-4 minutes, until the rice is heated through and slightly crispy.
- Combine and Sauce: Add the cooked protein and scrambled eggs back into the skillet with the rice. Toss everything together to combine. Remove the skillet from the heat, then drizzle with the Bang Bang sauce and a dash of sesame oil. Gently stir until everything is lightly coated in the delicious sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish your Bang Bang Fried Rice with sliced green onions and serve immediately.
Expert Tips for Restaurant-Quality Fried Rice
Want to take your homemade fried rice from good to great? These professional tips make all the difference and ensure you get a perfect result every single time.
Use Cold, Day-Old Rice
This is the golden rule of fried rice. Freshly cooked rice has too much moisture and will result in a sticky, clumpy mess. Chilling the rice overnight dries out the surface of the grains, allowing them to fry up beautifully and stay separate.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan
Use the largest skillet or wok you have. If you overcrowd the pan, the ingredients will steam instead of fry, preventing the rice from getting that slightly crispy texture. If you’re doubling the recipe, it’s better to cook it in two separate batches.
High Heat is Your Friend
Authentic fried rice is cooked quickly over very high heat. This gives it a subtle smoky flavor known as “wok hei.” Don’t be afraid to turn up the dial on your stove. This is why having all your ingredients prepped and ready is so important—the cooking process moves fast!
Ingredient Prep (Mise en Place)
Because the cooking is so rapid, you won’t have time to chop vegetables or measure sauces once you start. Prepare everything before you begin: chop your veggies, mince the aromatics, cook the protein, and whisk the sauce. This ensures a smooth and stress-free cooking experience.
Variations and Substitutions
This recipe is a fantastic template. Feel free to customize it based on what you have on hand or your dietary preferences.
Protein Swaps
Not a fan of chicken or shrimp? Try using bite-sized pieces of pork loin or firm tofu. For tofu, be sure to press it well to remove excess water and pan-fry it until golden before adding it to the rice.
Vegetable Add-ins
You can add almost any quick-cooking vegetable you like. Finely chopped broccoli, bell peppers, corn, or edamame would all be delicious additions. Add them along with the peas and carrots.
Making it Spicier or Milder
The heat level is entirely in your control. For a spicier fried rice, simply add more sriracha to your sauce. For a milder version, reduce the amount or leave it out entirely.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
This dish makes for fantastic leftovers! Store any extra Bang Bang Fried Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can microwave it, but the best method is to pan-fry it in a lightly oiled skillet over medium-high heat until it’s warmed through. This helps revive some of its original texture.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bang Bang Fried Rice
Absolutely! This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily substitute the shrimp with an equal amount of bite-sized chicken breast or thigh pieces. Just make sure it’s cooked through before adding it back to the rice.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat the fried rice in a hot skillet with a little oil, which helps to crisp it up again. You can also microwave it until heated through.
It has a mild to medium level of spice from the sriracha in the sauce. However, the heat level is completely customizable. You can add more sriracha for a spicier kick or reduce it for a milder flavor.
Bang Bang sauce is a simple, creamy sauce typically made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Our recipe also includes a dash of rice vinegar to balance the flavors.
The best rice for fried rice is medium to long-grain rice that has been cooked and completely cooled, preferably overnight in the refrigerator. This drying process prevents the rice from becoming sticky. Jasmine and basmati rice are excellent choices.
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this flavorful dish, you’ll love exploring some of our other popular recipes. Try our Creamy Garlic Chicken Ramen for a comforting noodle dish, or our quick and easy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites for another fantastic weeknight meal. For a different take on a classic, don’t miss our Peruvian Chicken and Rice.
The Ultimate Bang Bang Fried Rice Recipe
Bang Bang Fried Rice: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar until smooth. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken or shrimp and cook until done. Remove from skillet. Add beaten eggs and scramble, then remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion until softened. Add garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the frozen peas and carrots and cook until heated through.
- Increase heat to high. Add the cold rice and soy sauce to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, breaking up any clumps, until heated through.
- Return the cooked protein and eggs to the skillet. Toss to combine. Remove from heat and stir in the Bang Bang sauce and sesame oil. Garnish with green onions and serve immediately.
Notes
High Heat: Cook quickly over high heat for the best flavor and to prevent the rice from steaming.
Customize: Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like corn or bell peppers.
Share Your Creation!
We are so excited for you to try this Bang Bang Fried Rice recipe! It’s a true game-changer for busy weeknights. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. And don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
