That first hiss from the cooker tells you something good is happening. It’s that little moment you wait for when you know your dinner’s gonna turn out just right. You start to sense the broth depth building and the sealed pressure doing its thing, and suddenly your kitchen feels like the best place on earth.
You spot the float valve pop up and know your cooker is locked in tight. It’s kinda like a countdown to yum town. The anticipation gets you all ready to dig in and savor what’s coming, which in this case is a seriously tasty Bang Bang Chicken Bowl you won’t forget.
And while the cooker works its pressure magic, you remember how quick this method is. No standing over a hot stove forever. Just add your stuff, set it, and soon enough you’ve got juicy chicken with that perfect sauce ready to roll. You gonna love this easy way to dinner victory.
The Real Reasons You Will Love This Method
- No standing over the stove for hours, saving you tons of time.
- Chicken stays juicy inside because the pressure seals in the moisture.
- The sauce thickens up just right while cooking, giving you rich flavor.
- You get perfectly cooked rice and veggies with no extra pots.
- Pressure cooker keeps the kitchen cool, no oven heating the whole place.
- Natural release helps keep your chicken tender, not dried out by quick release alone.
- Cleanup is easy since you use just one pot for most of the work.
What Goes Into the Pot Today
- ¼ cup tapioca starch or potato starch to coat the chicken nice and crispy.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder plus more for seasoning that flavorful punch.
- ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper, the basics you gotta have.
- ½ teaspoon paprika to give a little smokey heat to the chicken coating.
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed up for quick cooking.
- 3 tablespoons avocado mayo for that creamy rich sauce you just wanna drizzle.
- ⅓ cup honey blended with sweet chili sauce and hot sauce for the bang bang kick.
- Fresh garlic minced helps boost the sauce flavor real good.
- Veggies include sliced carrots and red cabbage for crunch, plus cucumber and green onions for fresh garnish.
How It All Comes Together Step by Step
- Start by mixing your tapioca starch, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika in a big bowl. This mix is gonna give the chicken a nice coating.
- Toss those chicken cubes in the bowl and make sure each piece gets blasted with that starch mix. It helps get that crispy finish even in the cooker.
- Heat your avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You want it hot enough so chicken sizzles as soon as it hits.
- Add the chicken pieces in single layers. Don’t crowd the pan or they won’t crisp up nice. Cook about 8 to 10 minutes, flipping to get all sides golden.
- While chicken cooks, whisk together 2 tablespoons of mayo with honey and sweet chili sauce in a small bowl. This is your bang bang sauce right here.
- Once chicken is done, take it off heat and give it a minute to cool slightly. Then drizzle your homemade sauce over and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- You can use the last tablespoon of mayo to adjust sauce thickness or dollop on top when serving for a creamy touch.
- Serve your chicken over freshly cooked jasmine rice or a bed of greens. Sprinkle green onions and black sesame seeds if you’re feeling fancy.
Valve Hacks You Need to Know
- Always check your sealing ring before starting. A clean, well-placed ring means you won’t lose any pressure or steam.
- After cooking, if the recipe calls for natural release, let that float valve drop on its own for tender results. Patience really pays here.
- Want to hurry it up? Quick release works but be careful of the steam blast and that sauce might splatter if too watery.
- If your float valve sticks up but the pressure seems low, gently move the valve to reseat it. Sometimes it just needs a little nudge.
- Keep an eye on the broth depth inside, not too high or low, so the cooker can build pressure properly and cook evenly.
The Flavor Experience Waiting for You
Once that lid comes off, you’re hit with a sweet and spicy scent that kinda fills the room like a warm hug. The honey and sweet chili mix with that garlic hit right up front, teasing your taste buds before you even take a bite.
Chicken pieces are tender but have a little crisp from that tapioca coating. It’s like getting the best of both worlds inside one bowl. Plus the fresh crunch from carrots and cabbage makes every mouthful interesting.
The sauce clings to each bite and the little drizzle of mayo on top adds creaminess that balances out the heat just right. You can’t help but smile as you eat. This isn’t just dinner, it’s a flavor adventure you’ll want again real soon.
How to Store This for Later
- Got leftovers? Store your Bang Bang Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It holds up real good reheated in a microwave or skillet.
- If you wanna prep ahead, keep the sauce separate from chicken before storing. Add it fresh when you serve to keep flavors bright.
- For longer storage, freeze in portions using freezer-safe containers. Just defrost in fridge overnight and warm gently to keep that texture intact.
What People Always Ask Me
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Yeah, thighs work great! They stay even juicier, but cooking times might be a bit shorter so keep an eye on it.
- What’s the best way to do natural release? Just turn off the cooker and leave it alone until the float valve drops on its own. Don’t quick release or you might lose moisture.
- Can I skip the frying step and put chicken straight in pressure cooker? You could but you’ll miss out on that crispy coating that makes this dish so good.
- How spicy is the bang bang sauce? That depends on how much hot sauce you add. Start small if you don’t like too much heat, then adjust to your taste.
- Do I really need tapioca starch? You want something to help crisp the chicken and thicken sauce a bit. Tapioca or potato starch works best, but cornstarch’s okay too.
- Can I make this gluten free? Yup, just make sure your sweet chili sauce is gluten free, and swap out any sauces as needed. The rest is naturally free.
Bang Bang Chicken Bowls Pressure Cooker Recipe
Crispy chicken tossed in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce—this Bang Bang Chicken Bowl is packed with protein, fresh veggies, and full-on flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep!
Equipment
- 1 Non-stick skillet Large
Ingredients
Chicken
- ¼ cup tapioca starch or potato starch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons avocado mayo divided
- ⅓ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
Veggies
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1.5 cups sliced carrots
- 2 cups sliced red cabbage
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Bowls
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice
- 1 medium cucumber sliced
- freshly squeezed lime juice to taste
- 1 medium green onion stalk chopped, for garnish
- black sesame seeds optional, for garnish
Instructions
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine the tapioca starch, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Add in the cubed chicken and toss until well coated.
- In a large non-stick skillet, heat the avocado oil over medium-high heat and add in the chicken.
- Let pan fry for 5-8 minutes before flipping and cooking for another 5-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- While the chicken cooks, mix the sauce ingredients in a large bowl and set aside about ¼ cup of the sauce.
- Transfer the chicken to a paper towel (optional), then toss it in the sauce to coat.
- Add more avocado oil to the pan, bring to medium-high heat, cook carrots for about 10 minutes.
- Add cabbage and seasoning, then cook for another 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Assemble the bowls: divide rice, cucumber, veggies, and chicken, top with extra sauce, green onions, and sesame seeds.
Notes
Store chicken, sauce, rice, and veggies separately if meal prepping. Add sauce fresh for best taste. Reheat in microwave or skillet. Add hot sauce to adjust heat level.
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