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Bang Bang Chicken Crispy Rice Salad

A delightful and flavorful salad featuring crispy rice, tender chicken, and fresh veggies, topped with a creamy dressing.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Asian, Fusion
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Rice and Cooking Oil
  • 1 cup uncooked rice Jasmine rice works beautifully for its fragrant aroma.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil Use extra virgin olive oil for a richer flavor.
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce Low-sodium soy sauce can help balance salt levels if preferred.
  • 1 tbsp chili oil Adjust the amount based on family spice preferences.
Chicken
  • 5 pieces chicken tenders You can also use rotisserie chicken for a quicker option.
Fresh Vegetables
  • 3 pieces baby cucumbers Use English cucumbers for fewer seeds and better crunch.
  • 1 medium carrot, julienned A vegetable peeler can make julienning easier!
  • ½ piece red onion Pickled or regular; pickled onions add an extra zing.
  • 1 piece avocado Choose a ripe avocado for creaminess, but not overripe.
  • ¼ cup cilantro Fresh cilantro adds a burst of flavor; it’s worth it to use fresh.
Dressing
  • ¼ cup mayo Substitute with avocado mayo for a healthier twist.
  • ¼ cup Greek yogurt Adds creaminess and is lower in calories.
  • ¼ cup sweet chili sauce Look for a brand with no added preservatives for a cleaner option.
  • 1 tbsp sriracha Skip if you’re spice-sensitive; adjust for family spice tolerance.
  • 1 piece lime, juiced Fresh lime juice brightens the dish and balances flavors.
Toppings
  • sesame seeds Toast your sesame seeds for extra flavor.

Method
 

Preparing the Rice
  1. Begin by cooking your rice according to package instructions.
  2. Once the rice has cooled, spread it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil, soy sauce, and chili oil. Mix well and bake at 425°F for 30-45 minutes, flipping halfway until crispy.
Cooking Chicken
  1. Add the chicken tenders to another baking sheet and cook according to package instructions.
  2. For an extra kick, toss in sweet chili sauce after cooking and cut the chicken into small pieces.
Preparing Fresh Ingredients
  1. Slice the cucumbers, julienne the carrot, slice the onion, cube the avocado, and mince the cilantro.
  2. Add all of these fresh ingredients to a large salad bowl.
Making the Dressing
  1. In a separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lime juice. Taste and adjust as needed.
Combining the Salad
  1. Add the sliced chicken to the bowl along with the crispy rice.
  2. Pour in the dressing, toss until well combined, and finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Notes

Serving this dish family-style encourages conversation and connection. Add a side of lime wedges and extra sesame seeds.