How to Make Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp Fast
If you are craving a quick, vibrant meal bursting with flavor, you will love this easy Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp recipe! It combines tender chicken, succulent shrimp, and a spicy, creamy sauce that comes together in no time. Perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you want to impress with minimal effort, this dish balances heat and sweetness beautifully to deliver a crowd-pleasing meal everyone will enjoy. Learn how to make Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp fast and savor an irresistible dinner that’s both comforting and exciting.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Speedy preparation: Ready from start to finish in about 20 minutes, perfect for busy days.
- Flavor-packed: Combines spicy, creamy, and sweet notes for a bold but balanced taste.
- Protein-rich: A combination of chicken and shrimp provides a satisfying and nutritious meal.
- Versatile: Works well as a main dish, over rice, or tossed with veggies or noodles.
- Family-friendly: Customizable spice level and loved by kids and adults alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp recipe relies on simple, fresh ingredients that bring big flavor and beautiful color to your plate. Each component plays a role in creating the unique creamy, tangy, and spicy sauce, while the proteins add satisfying texture and heartiness.
- Chicken breast: Choose boneless, skinless for quick cooking and tender bites.
- Shrimp: Peeled and deveined, size medium to large works best for even cooking.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base for the sauce, providing richness and smoothness.
- Sweet chili sauce: Adds sweet heat and a sticky glaze that’s irresistible.
- Sriracha: For an extra kick of spice, adjustable to your heat preference.
- Honey: Balances the spiciness with a touch of natural sweetness.
- Garlic powder: A gentle punch of savory depth without overpowering.
- Lime juice: Brightens the flavors and adds a fresh tang.
- Green onions: Freshly sliced for garnish and mild onion flavor.
- Sesame seeds: Optional, for added nuttiness and crunch.
- Olive oil or butter: For cooking the chicken and shrimp swiftly and evenly.
Variations for Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp
One of the best things about this Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp recipe is how easy it is to tweak according to what you have on hand or your dietary preferences. Feel free to play around and make it your own!
- Vegetarian version: Substitute chicken and shrimp with crispy tofu or cauliflower florets.
- Dairy-free sauce: Use vegan mayo or a cashew cream alternative to keep it creamy without dairy.
- Extra spicy: Add more sriracha or fresh chopped chili peppers to turn up the heat.
- Grilled twist: Grill the proteins instead of pan-frying for a smoky flavor.
- Swap the proteins: Use just chicken or just shrimp, or even add crab meat for a seafood variation.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp
Step 1: Prepare the Proteins
Start by patting the chicken breasts dry and cutting them into bite-sized pieces. Do the same for peeled and deveined shrimp. This ensures even cooking and easy eating.
Step 2: Cook Chicken and Shrimp
Heat a little olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces first, cooking for about 4-5 minutes until they are golden and almost cooked through. Add the shrimp and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove both from the pan and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Taste and adjust the spice or sweetness as you like.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Return the chicken and shrimp to the skillet over low heat, pour the sauce over, and stir gently until everything is well coated and warmed through.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds on top for a fresh crunch and nutty flavor.
Pro Tips for Making Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp
- Use room-temperature mayo: It blends more smoothly with other sauce ingredients for a creamier texture.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp: Shrimp cook fast—once they turn pink, remove immediately to avoid rubberiness.
- Adjust spice gradually: Add sriracha a little at a time so you control the heat perfectly.
- Cut proteins evenly: Uniform pieces ensure even cooking and better texture.
- Rest sauce briefly: Let the sauce sit for 5 minutes before tossing; flavors meld beautifully.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp
Garnishes
Fresh green onions and toasted sesame seeds are classic and elevate both presentation and texture with their crunch and mild bite.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice, quinoa, or even a crisp Asian-style slaw. For a lower-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice or sautéed veggies.
Creative Ways to Present
Try piling the Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp atop warm tortillas for a flavorful taco, or toss it together with cold noodles for a delicious noodle salad that’s great for meal prep.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to keep the flavors fresh and proteins tender.
Freezing
This dish can be frozen, but for best texture, freeze cooked chicken and shrimp separately from the sauce, then combine after thawing and reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave on a lower power setting to prevent drying out the shrimp and chicken while keeping the sauce creamy.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to ensure they sear nicely rather than steam.
Is this recipe spicy?
The spice level is moderate but easily adjustable by adding more or less sriracha to suit your taste preferences.
Can I substitute mayo with Greek yogurt?
Yes, Greek yogurt is a healthier alternative but may change the sauce’s creaminess and tang slightly; try mixing with a bit of olive oil for richness.
How long does Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp take to prepare?
From start to finish, you can expect to have this flavorful dish ready within about 20 minutes, making it perfect for quick dinners.
What can I serve with Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp?
It goes great with rice, noodles, vegetable sides, or even as a topping for salads and wraps, giving you plenty of serving options.
Final Thoughts
This Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp recipe is a fast and flavorful way to bring excitement to your dinner table without stress. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends, its bold creamy sauce paired with tender proteins makes every bite memorable. Give this recipe a try and enjoy a delicious, fuss-free meal that will quickly become a favorite in your cooking repertoire!
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Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp
This easy Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp recipe features tender chicken breast and succulent shrimp coated in a creamy, spicy, and sweet sauce. Ready in about 20 minutes, it is perfect for busy weeknights and customizable for various dietary preferences. Served garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, it pairs well with rice, noodles, or vegetables for a flavorful and protein-packed meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Proteins
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 lb peeled and deveined shrimp, medium to large size
Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1–2 tablespoons sriracha, adjustable to taste
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Cooking
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Proteins: Pat the chicken breasts dry and cut into bite-sized pieces. Do the same with peeled and deveined shrimp to ensure even cooking and easy eating.
- Cook Chicken and Shrimp: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces first and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden and nearly cooked through. Add shrimp and cook for another 2-3 minutes until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove both from the pan and set aside.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, garlic powder, and fresh lime juice. Taste and adjust the spice or sweetness as desired.
- Combine Everything: Return the chicken and shrimp to the skillet over low heat, pour the sauce over, and stir gently until well coated and warmed through.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for a fresh crunch and nutty flavor.
Notes
- Use room-temperature mayo for a smoother, creamier sauce.
- Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubberiness; remove once pink.
- Adjust sriracha gradually to control the heat perfectly.
- Cut proteins into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and better texture.
- Let the sauce sit for 5 minutes before combining to meld flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: Bang Bang Chicken, Bang Bang Shrimp, spicy chicken, creamy sauce, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal, protein-rich