Bang Bang Chicken Bake

If you love creamy, spicy, and cheesy dinners, this Bang Bang Chicken Bake is about to become your new weeknight obsession. It brings together tender chicken, a bold bang bang sauce, and melted cheese in one easy pan. I made this on a Tuesday night when I needed something fast but impressive, and my family asked for it again by Friday.

I still remember the first time I tossed chicken in that creamy sweet chili sauce and watched the whole dish come together in under 40 minutes. There was something so satisfying about pulling that bubbly, golden cheese top out of the oven. This bang bang chicken bake delivers the perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and comfort. It is the kind of one-pan dinner that feels special without requiring any fancy skills or hard-to-find ingredients.

What You Need to Make This Creamy Bang Bang Chicken Bake

I always recommend using freshly shredded cheese over pre-bagged varieties. It melts so much better and gives you that smooth, gooey topping that makes this dish shine. Pro tip: if you want a milder version, start with just one tablespoon of Sriracha and adjust from there.

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (full-fat works best for a rich, creamy sauce)
• 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons Sriracha (adjust to your heat preference)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (freshly shredded preferred)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (freshly shredded preferred)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)

I prefer a mix of mozzarella and cheddar because the mozzarella gives you that stretchy pull while the cheddar adds a sharp, savory depth that takes the flavor up a notch.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Bake Step by Step

I recommend reading through all the steps before you start so timing feels smooth and nothing catches you off guard. This bang bang chicken bake comes together quickly once everything is prepped.

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little butter.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and garlic powder until fully combined and smooth. The sauce should look creamy and slightly orange-pink in color.

Step 3: Add the cubed chicken to the bowl. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Toss everything together until each piece of chicken is well coated. Cutting the chicken into uniform 1-inch cubes matters here. Uneven pieces will cook at different rates and you risk dry spots in the finished dish.

Step 4: Spread the coated chicken in a single, even layer in your prepared baking dish. Do not pile the pieces. A single layer ensures the chicken bakes evenly and gets a little caramelized on the edges.

Step 5: Bake uncovered for 20 to 22 minutes. The chicken should be cooked through and the sauce should be bubbling around the edges. Check with a meat thermometer. Internal temperature must reach 165 degrees F. Do not skip this check. Chicken breasts vary in thickness and can look done on the outside while still underdone in the center.

Step 6: Remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar evenly over the top of the chicken.

Step 7: Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 7 to 8 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and just starting to turn golden at the edges. Watch it closely during this step since cheese can go from perfect to overdone quickly. Total cook time lands right around 30 minutes.

Step 8: Let the bake rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving. Scatter sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the top. Do not skip the garnishes. They add a fresh crunch that cuts through the richness of the sauce and brighten the whole dish.

Best Sides to Serve With Bang Bang Chicken Bake

The creamy, spicy sauce in this dish pairs best with simple, neutral sides that soak up all that bold flavor. Here are some of the best sides for bang bang chicken bake.

Steamed White or Brown Rice: The classic pairing. Rice soaks up the bang bang sauce and stretches the meal into a satisfying dinner for the whole family.

Roasted Broccoli: The slight char from roasting adds a smoky note that plays well against the sweetness of the chili sauce. It also sneaks in some greens without any fuss.

Steamed Green Beans: Light and crisp, green beans provide a clean textural contrast to the creamy, cheesy topping without competing with the bold flavors.

Cucumber Salad with Vinaigrette: A cool, tangy cucumber salad is a refreshing counterpoint to the heat of the Sriracha. It works almost like a palate cleanser between bites.

Quinoa: For a higher-protein option, quinoa works just as well as rice and adds a slightly nutty flavor that complements the sauce nicely.

More Easy Chicken Dinners to Try Next

If this bang bang chicken bake won you over, there are plenty of other easy one-pan chicken dinners worth adding to your weekly rotation. My Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bake uses a similar oven method with a rich, savory coating that pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables, while the Ranch Chicken Bake brings a tangy, herby twist that the whole family tends to love.

For nights when you want something a little different but just as simple, the Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken delivers a sweet and savory glaze that works beautifully over rice just like this dish. And if you love bold sauces with a little heat, the Bang Bang Chicken Skewers use the same creamy bang bang sauce in a fun grilled format perfect for summer.

Storing and Reheating Your Bang Bang Chicken Bake

Leftovers from this bang bang chicken bake keep well and taste just as good the next day. Store cooled portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

For reheating, I recommend using the oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through, about 10 to 15 minutes. This keeps the cheese from getting rubbery, which can happen quickly in the microwave. If you are in a hurry, the microwave works fine. Reheat in 60-second intervals and cover loosely to retain moisture.

Pro tip: this dish also freezes well. Transfer cooled portions to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. The sauce texture may be slightly looser after freezing, but the flavor stays great.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bang Bang Chicken Bake

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