Bang Bang Chicken Salad: 15-Minute Spicy Perfection
My go-to lightning-fast lunch: a crisp, spicy Bang Bang Chicken Salad that comes together in about 15 minutes and packs the kind of bold flavor you’d expect from takeout—without the wait. It’s shredded chicken tossed with crunchy cabbage and carrots, brightened with lime and cilantro, and coated in a creamy, sweet-spicy bang bang sauce. I make this for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or when I need a make-ahead protein-packed salad that still tastes fresh. If you like bold Asian-inspired sauces and want something easy to scale, this is it — and it pairs well with other crowd-pleasers like a quick batch of bang bang chicken skewers for a fuller spread.
Why you’ll love this dish
This salad hits a lot of home-run reasons: it’s fast (ready in about 15 minutes active time), budget-friendly (uses leftover or rotisserie chicken), flexible (easy swaps for heat and texture), and crowd-pleasing. It’s a great weekday staple when you want something more exciting than a plain chicken salad, but not fussy.
“Perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and bright—my new go-to for quick lunches.” — a recent home-test review
Beyond taste, it’s ideal for:
- Weeknight dinners when time is short.
- Meal prep for work lunches—stays fresh for days if stored properly.
- A lighter option at summer gatherings where guests want something cool and spicy.
How this recipe comes together
Step-by-step overview:
- Gather cooked chicken and crisp vegetables.
- Whisk a simple creamy bang bang sauce from mayo, sriracha, honey, lime, and sesame oil.
- Toss the sauce with the shredded chicken and vegetables until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill briefly so flavors meld and the cabbage softens slightly.
This means almost no cooking required—just assembly and a short chill. If you’re shredding hot chicken, let it cool to room temperature before tossing with mayo to keep the sauce smooth.
Ingredient list
What you’ll need (yields about 2–3 servings):
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie or leftover chicken works great)
- 1 cup shredded cabbage (green or a mix)
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (substitute Greek yogurt for tang and fewer calories)
- 2 tbsp sriracha sauce (adjust for heat)
- 1 tbsp honey (maple syrup or agave as alternatives)
- 1 tbsp lime juice (fresh preferred)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (toasted sesame oil for deeper flavor)
Notes: If you need a lower-fat option, replace half the mayo with plain Greek yogurt. For a crunch boost, add crushed roasted peanuts or toasted sesame seeds on top.
How to prepare it
- Place the shredded chicken, shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, green onions, and cilantro in a large mixing bowl. Toss to combine.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, lime juice, and sesame oil until smooth and emulsified. Taste and adjust—add more sriracha for heat, a pinch more honey for sweetness, or extra lime for brightness.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken-vegetable mixture. Use tongs or two large spoons to toss everything until evenly coated. Make sure the vegetables and chicken are well-distributed so every bite has sauce and crunch.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and the cabbage soften slightly.
Quick tip: If you’re short on time, you can serve immediately—just know the flavors will be sharper and the cabbage crunchier.
Best ways to enjoy it
- Serve it over mixed greens or butter lettuce for a hearty salad.
- Spoon into toasted brioche buns or tortillas for spicy sandwiches or tacos.
- Use as a filling for rice bowls with steamed jasmine rice and a drizzle of extra sriracha.
- Plate on cucumber rounds or endive leaves for elegant party bites.
Pair with a chilled beer or a crisp white wine. For a warm side, try simple garlic-roasted potatoes or an Asian-style slaw. Want a fried contrast? It sits nicely alongside something crunchy like crispy spicy buttermilk fried chicken for an indulgent combo.
Storage and reheating tips
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. The cabbage will continue to soften; if you prefer crunch, stir in fresh cabbage when serving leftovers.
- Freezing: Not recommended—the mayo-based dressing can separate when frozen and thawed, making the texture watery. If you must freeze, freeze the chicken (plain) and thaw, then toss with fresh dressing and vegetables.
- Food safety: Refrigerate within 2 hours of assembly (1 hour if ambient temperatures are above 90°F/32°C). Reheat only the chicken portion if you prefer it warm—do not freeze or reheat already dressed salad.
Pro chef tips
- Shredding chicken: Use two forks to pull warm cooked chicken apart, or pulse briefly in a food processor in short bursts to avoid mushy texture.
- Emulsify the sauce: Whisk mayo, lime, and sesame oil vigorously to get a silky dressing; the lime juice helps thin the mayo just enough.
- Control the heat: If sriracha is too spicy for some, start with 1 tbsp and add gradually. Adding a little extra honey tames heat without masking flavor.
- Crunch maintenance: If you need longer prep storage, keep veggies and sauce separate until serving. Toss together just before plating for maximum crispness.
Creative twists
- Low-carb: Swap mayo for 1/4 cup full-fat Greek yogurt + 1 tbsp mayo for creaminess with fewer calories. Serve in lettuce cups.
- Peanut butter bang bang: Stir 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter into the sauce for a nutty, satay-inspired flavor.
- Vegan: Replace chicken with shredded jackfruit or chickpeas and use vegan mayo.
- Grilled fruit boost: Add grilled pineapple chunks for a sweet-savory contrast.
- Extra umami: Fold in 1 tsp soy sauce or fish sauce to deepen the savory backbone (reduce lime slightly if you do).
Your questions answered
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken or leftover roast?
A: Absolutely—rotisserie chicken is ideal. It saves time and adds flavor. Make sure meat is shredded and cooled before tossing with mayo.
Q: How spicy is this salad and can kids eat it?
A: Heat comes from sriracha. You can cut it by half or leave it out for kids; add a bit back for individual servings. Honey also balances heat nicely.
Q: How long will it keep in the fridge?
A: Up to 3–4 days in an airtight container. For best texture, store the dressing separately and combine before eating.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time for a party?
A: Yes—assemble the components up to a day ahead but keep sauce and veggies separate if you want maximum crunch. Toss 30 minutes before serving.
Q: Is this gluten-free?
A: The core recipe is gluten-free—just verify your sriracha and mayo don’t contain any added gluten from cross-contamination or additives.
Conclusion
This Bang Bang Chicken Salad delivers fast, spicy, and satisfying flavor with minimal fuss—perfect for busy nights or make-ahead lunches. If you enjoy this quick-format bang bang flavor, you might also like a warm, grilled take like Bang Bang Chicken Skewers or a comforting casserole version such as the Bang Bang Chicken Bake for feeding a crowd.
Bang Bang Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded rotisserie or leftover chicken works great
- 1 cup shredded cabbage green or a mix
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Bang Bang Sauce Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise substitute Greek yogurt for tang and fewer calories
- 2 tbsp sriracha sauce adjust for heat
- 1 tbsp honey maple syrup or agave as alternatives
- 1 tbsp lime juice fresh preferred
- 1 tsp sesame oil toasted sesame oil for deeper flavor
Instructions
Preparation
- Place the shredded chicken, shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, green onions, and cilantro in a large mixing bowl. Toss to combine.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, lime juice, and sesame oil until smooth and emulsified.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken-vegetable mixture. Use tongs or two large spoons to toss everything until evenly coated.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and the cabbage soften slightly.
- Serve immediately if short on time, though flavors will be sharper and the cabbage crunchier.
