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This colorful Chili Crisp Chicken Mango Cucumber Rice Bowl is full of Thai flavors and so simple. Made with flavorful Thai curry paste and doused in a chili crisp butter sauce. The chicken is cooked until caramelized around the edges then added to bowls of rice. A fresh, bright mango herb salad is spooned overtop for a balance of spicy, sweet, and savory flavor. Altogether, it’s so delicious.
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Come late spring, I find the most inspiration from fresh herbs and flowers. The perkiness of their leaves and their bright colors give me so many ideas. Their inspiration is a welcomed change of pace after a very white and cozy winter.
Where we live in Colorado, it’s just barely starting to get green. There’s still a fair chance we’ll get a sprinkling of snow. We had a snowstorm on June 18th a couple of years ago. I’ve even seen it snow after a beautiful warm day on the night of July 4th…you just never know around here. But even the slight glimpse of growth and warmer days has brought me new ideas.
Whole Foods was filled with fresh herbs last week and I snatched up every last one. I had an abundance of fresh basil, cilantro, and mint, and plenty of sweet mangos. So this recipe kind of just built itself.
It turned out to be everything I had pictured in my head and the flavor was better than I’d imagined. Plus, these bowls are the easiest to make. Lots of chopping I guess, but otherwise, simple.
All this to say, I love today’s recipe!
Details – start with that mango herb salad
This is my thing, my favorite! Lots of ripe fresh mango, so many fresh herbs, refreshing cucumber, toasted seeds, a little spice from a serrano pepper, and a simple lime dressing.
Just toss everything together in a bowl, no fancy steps.
The chicken
It’s a little crispy, a little spicy, but simple. Toss it up with some arrowroot or cornstarch to help with the crispiness. Then cook it up with Thai red curry paste and a splash of fish sauce.
You can certainly use tamari or soy sauce too, but I love fish sauce.
And the chili crisp butter, make sure it’s a high-quality grass feed butter for best flavor. I love Straus Organic European butter. Then just cook the garlic and chili flakes in the butter until golden and crisp.
Finish it up
Lots of rice, then the chicken. Spoon the butter over the chicken, then top each bowl with the mango salad.
Enjoy immediately…and that’s it! This takes less than an hour to make and it’s not only delicious but fun! All those fresh herbs really make a difference.
Looking for other quick weeknight dinners? Here are some favorites:
Coconut Popcorn Chicken with Sweet Thai Chili Lime Sauce
30 Minute Sticky Thai Meatballs with Sesame Noodles
Better Than Takeout Sweet Thai Basil Chicken
Lastly, if you make this Chili Crisp Chicken Mango Cucumber Rice Bowl, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Chili Crisp Chicken Mango Cucumber Rice Bowl
Ingredients
Mango Salad
- 1 mango, diced
- 2 Persian cucumbers, chopped
- 1 Serrano or jalapeño pepper, seeded and sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh mint or basil, torn
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 3 tablespoons mixed sesame and/or sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 avocado, cubed
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup Thai red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce, tamari sauce, or soy sauce
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
- chili flakes
- 3-4 cups cooked rice
Instructions
- 1. To make the salad. Combine the mango, cucumbers, serrano pepper, cilantro, basil, and green onions in a bowl. Toss with olive oil, vinegar, and lime juice, and season with salt. Add the avocado and toss lightly. Sprinkle the sesame and/or sunflower seeds overtop.2. In a bowl, toss together the chicken and cornstarch (or arrowroot powder). 3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Thai red curry paste and cook 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the chicken and toss to coat in the curry paste. Cook until the chicken becomes crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the fish sauce or tamari/soy sauce.4. Meanwhile, in a small skillet melt together the butter, garlic, and a pinch of chili flakes. Cook until the butter is browning and the garlic crisps.5. Spoon the chicken over the bowls of rice. Pour the garlic chili butter over the chicken. Top with the mango salad. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Unbelievably delicious. The spicy chicken with the sweet mango and fresh herbs was the perfect combination. Perfect flavour and very satiating. Those will bea go to recipe now.
Hi Jenna,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! xx
This was such a fun and easy recipe to make and it tasted delicious…. The freshness of the mango salad was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your wonderful recipes…
Hey Mika,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! xx
First off, this was delicious delicious delicious! Absolutely loved the flavors together and my husband and I were so in love with it. Only thing, I could never get the chicken crispy! I followed recipe to a T, so not sure where it went wrong. Any ideas? And again, it was absolutely fabulous either way but just wondering how I can crisp it up! Thanks for making such fabulous recipes.
Hey Hillary,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! What kind of pan did you use? I find I get the best results using a cast iron skillet. xx
I used a wok if I remember correctly. Good to know! I’ll use cast iron the next time I make it (which will be soon!) thanks again for sharing your amazing recipes ?
I made this last night for dinner and it was perfection! I used frozen cubes mango and just let it thaw a bit before I added it to the salad. Seriously, this was so good. My husband and I loved it!
Hi Angela,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! xx
Are you even serious ?!?! This is so so SO good . I love cooking and love finding new recipes , and not only is this recipe amazing there’s no alterations needed . The layers of flavour …the garlic Chile butter …what ?!?! So freakin good . Honestly the only thing I did differently was make my rice with coconut milk but that’s the only way I make rice nowadays? .
Thank you for creating such beautiful food , your recipes are now going to be my go to for meals !
Hey Christina,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! xx
I probably say this too often, but this might be my absolute favorite HBH recipe! The crispy chicken, but fresh salad- it was sooo mouthwatering! I can’t wait to make it again
I made this last night! Delicious!! Both my kids liked it too! There were no leftovers today!
Hey Jennifer,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your review:) xxTieghan
Hi Lauren,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your review:) xxTieghan
I made this last night. Another winner! Super easy and DELISH!!!
Hi Kavee,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your review:) xxTieghan
Made this last night, and it was super delicious! I swapped pineapple for the mango (allergy in the family) and used the Trader Joe’s chili crunch oil at the end. I will absolutely make again!
Hi Julie,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your review:) xxTieghan
Excellent, we really enjoyed the chili crispy chicken with the mango salad. The addition of the browned butter and garlic was a home run.
Thank you!!!
Hi Nancy,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your review:) xxTieghan
This recipe is perfect! The combination of flavours is spot on!
Hi Bobbi,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your review:) xxTieghan
I just made this for dinner and my family loved it! This recipe is absolutely perfect! It’s so DELICIOUS!
Hi Bobbi,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your review:) xxTieghan
This is a great idea but, really oily with the Thai curry paste and oil.
I used rice vinegar for the salad, cut everything back to one tablespoon.
I should have sautéed the chicken first to get it crispy and then add the curry paste.
Also did not use the butter etc but added the garlic to the chicken at the end once I realized it was so oily.
Hi Evy,
Thanks for your comment. Sorry to hear the recipe was not enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
Just made this with pork tenderloin, because i had one in my fridge, and it’s delicious! Thanks for another keeper!
Hi Stacy,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your review:) xxTieghan
Just made this for dinner and it was a hit with the whole family! The flavours are so great!
Hi Nina,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your review:) xxTieghan
Would you say any of this could be made in advance? Hoping to serve this to guests on Saturday, but I hate the hosting scramble 🙂 Thank you!
Hey Kristen,
Totally, I would assemble everything in advance and then just save the chicken to make right before you are ready to serve so it stays hot and crispy. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you! xTieghan