This Bang Bang Chicken Salad is a flavor explosion that combines tender shredded chicken, vibrant vegetables, and delicate rice noodles, all brought together with a creamy, sweet-spicy dressing that’ll make your taste buds dance! Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want something fresh, nutritious, and absolutely delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bursting with Flavor: The combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy in the dressing creates an irresistible flavor profile that elevates simple ingredients to restaurant-quality status.
Quick and Convenient: From start to finish in 30 minutes – perfect for those evenings when you want something impressive without the time commitment.
Visually Stunning: The colorful layers of purple cabbage, carrots, and fresh herbs create a dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious – perfect for impressing guests or brightening your own dinner table.
Versatile: Works brilliantly as a main dish for dinner, can be packed for lunch the next day, or scaled up for entertaining.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Mayonnaise: The creamy base for our bang bang dressing that brings everything together with richness.
Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds that perfect balance of sweetness and gentle heat that makes bang bang sauce so addictive.
Tamari or Soy Sauce: Brings that essential umami depth that rounds out all the flavors.
Rice Wine Vinegar: Provides brightness and acidity that cuts through the richness of the mayo.
Honey: Just a touch of natural sweetness to balance all the flavors perfectly.
Sriracha: Optional, but adds that extra kick if you’re a spice lover.
Chicken Breast: The protein star of the show – becomes incredibly flavorful when marinated and cooked.
Spices: Sweet paprika and onion powder create a depth of flavor that transforms plain chicken into something special.
Vermicelli Rice Noodles: These delicate noodles soak up the dressing beautifully and provide the perfect base.
Cabbage: Both wombok and purple varieties add crunch, nutrition, and gorgeous color.
Carrots and Bean Sprouts: For freshness, crunch, and nutritional value.
Herbs and Garnishes: Fresh coriander and crispy fried shallots take this dish from good to unforgettable.

Variations

Protein Swaps

Try using grilled shrimp instead of chicken for a seafood twist, or use crispy tofu for a vegetarian version that still packs all the flavor.

Noodle Options

Swap the vermicelli for soba noodles for a nuttier flavor, use glass noodles for a different texture, or even serve over cooked rice for a heartier meal.

Make It Peanutty

Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to the dressing for a Thai-inspired twist that adds richness and depth.

Extra Veggies

Toss in sliced cucumber, avocado chunks, or thinly sliced bell peppers for extra nutrition and variety.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Dressing

Combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, tamari or soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, honey, sriracha (if using), and freshly grated garlic in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and set aside to let the flavors marry.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Place chicken in a shallow dish. Mix sweet paprika, onion powder, black pepper, tamari, brown sugar, and olive oil, then coat the chicken thoroughly. This is where the magic starts – even a quick marinade makes a huge difference in flavor!

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. No need for extra oil – the marinade has you covered! Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until beautifully browned. Add water during the final minutes to deglaze the pan and capture all those amazing flavors. Once cooled slightly, shred with two forks.

Step 4: Prepare the Noodles

Cook vermicelli noodles according to package instructions. Rinse thoroughly under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Drain well.

Step 5: Assemble the Salad

Start with a layer of noodles on a large platter, then arrange wombok cabbage, purple cabbage, julienned carrot, bean sprouts, and finally the shredded chicken. This layering creates a beautiful presentation and ensures every bite has multiple textures and flavors.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Drizzle generously with the creamy bang bang dressing, then sprinkle with spring onions, fresh coriander, and crispy fried shallots. Serve family-style for everyone to dig in!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Chicken Shortcut: Use leftover rotisserie chicken to cut your prep time in half – just toss with the spices and a splash of soy sauce.
Noodle Success: Rinse noodles thoroughly under cold water to remove excess starch and prevent sticking. For make-ahead prep, toss with a bit of sesame oil.
Dressing Control: Serve some dressing on the side so everyone can add more to taste. The dressing is so good, people will want extra!
Prep Ahead: Chop all vegetables and make the dressing the night before to make assembly lightning-fast at dinner time.

How to Serve

As a Main Dish

Serve this vibrant salad as a complete meal – it has protein, carbs, and plenty of vegetables all in one beautiful package.

For Entertaining

This dish is perfect for casual entertaining – lay it out on a large platter for a stunning centerpiece that guests can help themselves to.

Side Pairings

If you’d like to serve something alongside, consider simple spring rolls, a light miso soup, or dumplings for an Asian-inspired feast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead Tips

Marinate the chicken up to 48 hours ahead. Prepare the dressing, cook the noodles, and chop vegetables up to 24 hours before. Store everything separately and assemble just before serving.

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the dressing separately from the salad components for best results.

Repurposing Leftovers

Leftover components can be stuffed into rice paper rolls for a completely different meal the next day, or tossed with extra greens for a lighter salad option.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just be sure to use tamari instead of regular soy sauce and check that your sweet chili sauce is gluten-free. The rice noodles are naturally gluten-free, making this an easy adaptation.

How can I reduce the spiciness in this recipe?
Skip the sriracha in the dressing and reduce the amount of sweet chili sauce, replacing it with a bit more honey. You’ll still get the wonderful flavor profile without the heat.

Can I prepare this salad in advance for a party?
Yes! Prepare all components separately up to 24 hours ahead. Store in the refrigerator and assemble just before serving. For the freshest result, wait to dress the salad until right before serving.

Is there a way to make this recipe lower in calories?
Try using light mayonnaise or replacing half the mayo with Greek yogurt in the dressing. You can also increase the proportion of vegetables to noodles for a lighter meal.

Final Thoughts

This Bang Bang Chicken Salad is one of those magical recipes that proves healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or time-consuming. With its perfect balance of fresh vegetables, tender chicken, and that irresistible creamy-spicy dressing, it’s bound to become a regular in your meal rotation. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or guests, this dish delivers major flavor with minimal effort – exactly what we all need more of in our cooking lives!

Bang Bang Chicken Salad Recipe