Ingredients

1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 cup (250 g) bang bang sauce, divided

2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided

4 large eggs, beaten

½ teaspoon kosher salt

2 large carrots, diced

1 large white onion, diced

¼ cup green onions, diced, plus more for garnish

1 teaspoon garlic, minced

4 cups long-grain white rice, cooked and cooled

¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons soy sauce

⅓ cup (45 g) frozen peas

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, toss the cubed chicken with vegetable oil, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.

Step 2: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 11–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Tent the cooked chicken with foil to keep warm and set aside.

Step 3: Heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a large skillet over high heat. Pour in the beaten eggs sprinkled with ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Scramble gently until soft curds form, then transfer eggs to a plate and set aside.

Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-high. Add the remaining tablespoon sesame oil, diced carrots, white onion, and diced green onions to the skillet. Cook about 5 minutes until carrots are tender. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

Step 5: Add the cooled rice to the skillet. Break up any clumps with a spatula and stir into the vegetables. Let cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Step 6: Stir in the scrambled eggs, melted butter, lemon juice, soy sauce, and frozen peas. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until everything is hot and evenly coated.

Step 7: Toss the cooked chicken with ½ cup of the bang bang sauce.

Step 8: To serve, top the fried rice with the bang bang chicken. Drizzle with additional bang bang sauce if desired, and garnish with extra green onions.

Tips & Variations

Use leftover rice for best texture in fried rice; freshly cooked rice can be too moist.

Substitute chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful meat option.

Add other vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas for extra crunch and color.

If you don’t have an air fryer, cook the chicken in a hot skillet until golden and cooked through.

Adjust the amount of bang bang sauce to suit your preferred level of spiciness and creaminess.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, you can substitute brown rice for white rice, but keep in mind brown rice has a firmer texture and may require slightly longer cooking time and more moisture when reheating.

Is it necessary to use an air fryer for the chicken?

No, you can cook the chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden and fully cooked. The air fryer is used here for convenience and to get a crispy texture with less oil.