This Chili Crisp Chicken Mango Cucumber Rice Bowl bursts with spicy, sweet, and fresh Thai-inspired flavors. Crispy chicken is coated in Thai red curry paste, served over rice, and topped with a zesty mango herb salad and rich garlic-chili butter. With fresh herbs, crunchy cucumber, creamy avocado, and a kick from chili flakes, this colorful bowl is the perfect warm-weather meal—simple, vibrant, and ready in under an hour.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

For the Mango Salad:

• 1 ripe mango, diced

• 2 Persian cucumbers, chopped

• 1 Serrano or jalapeño pepper, sliced and seeded

• ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• 3 tbsp fresh mint or basil, torn

• 2 green onions, chopped

• 3 tbsp mixed sesame and/or sunflower seeds

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 2 tbsp lime juice

• 1 avocado, cubed

• Salt to taste

For the Chicken:

• 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced

• 1 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• ¼ cup Thai red curry paste

• 1 tbsp fish sauce, tamari, or soy sauce

For the Chili Crisp Butter:

• 6 tbsp salted butter

• 3–4 garlic cloves, chopped

• Chili flakes, to taste

For Serving:

• 3–4 cups cooked rice (white or jasmine)

Directions

1. Make the Salad: In a large bowl, combine mango, cucumber, pepper, cilantro, mint, and green onion. Drizzle with olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, and season with salt. Add avocado and toss gently. Top with sesame or sunflower seeds.

2. Prep Chicken: Toss sliced chicken in a bowl with cornstarch or arrowroot powder.

3. Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add Thai red curry paste, cooking 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Add chicken and stir to coat. Cook 8 minutes until crispy and cooked through. Add fish sauce and remove from heat.

4. Make Chili Butter: In a small skillet, melt butter with chopped garlic and a pinch of chili flakes. Cook until garlic is crisp and butter is golden brown.

5. Assemble Bowls: Spoon cooked rice into bowls, top with chicken, pour over garlic chili butter, and finish with mango salad. Serve immediately.

Nutrients (Per serving – serves 6)

• Calories: ~531 kcal

• Protein: ~32g

• Fat: ~31g

  • Saturated Fat: ~13g

• Carbohydrates: ~33g

  • Sugars: ~8g

  • Fiber: ~4g

• Cholesterol: ~110mg

• Sodium: ~580mg

• Vitamin A: ~25% DV

• Vitamin C: ~35% DV

• Calcium: ~6% DV

• Iron: ~15% DV

A Perfect Fusion of Texture and Taste

What makes this bowl truly remarkable is the interplay of textures and flavors. The chicken is cooked until crisp and deeply flavorful, thanks to the aromatic Thai red curry paste. It’s nestled on a bed of warm rice that soaks up the spicy oils and butter. On top of that sits a bright, juicy mango cucumber salad that refreshes the palate with every bite. Creamy avocado, crunchy seeds, and the sizzling, spicy garlic-chili butter poured over the top bring the dish together into a harmonious, crave-worthy experience.

Thai Red Curry Chicken: Bold and Irresistible

The base of the protein is thinly sliced chicken tossed in cornstarch and then cooked in Thai red curry paste. This method creates a slightly crisp coating and locks in moisture while allowing the spicy, slightly sweet curry flavors to permeate the meat. The red curry paste includes lemongrass, red chilies, garlic, galangal, and other traditional Thai spices, which provide an unmistakable fragrance and heat. Finished with a dash of fish sauce or tamari, the chicken becomes umami-rich, with a deep complexity that elevates the entire bowl.

The Salad: Bright, Juicy, and Refreshing

To contrast the heat and savoriness of the chicken, the recipe introduces a mango cucumber herb salad that is as refreshing as it is flavorful. Ripe mango adds natural sweetness and juiciness. Persian cucumbers bring a clean, cool crunch. Fresh herbs—particularly cilantro and mint or basil—infuse the salad with vibrant, aromatic notes. The inclusion of thinly sliced green onion and mild chili peppers like serrano or jalapeño gives it a subtle kick and layers of flavor. This salad is dressed simply but effectively with lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil, making it zingy and refreshing without overpowering the other elements in the bowl.

Creamy Avocado and Crunchy Seeds for Balance

Every balanced bowl needs softness and crunch, and this recipe delivers on both. Cubed avocado adds a buttery, creamy element that cools the heat from the chili flakes and red curry. Meanwhile, the addition of toasted sesame or sunflower seeds brings a nutty crunch and added nutrition. These textures enhance the overall eating experience and make each forkful slightly different and endlessly satisfying.

Garlic-Chili Crisp Butter: The Flavor Finisher

One of the stars of this dish is the garlic-chili crisp butter. Made by gently frying chopped garlic and chili flakes in salted butter until golden and aromatic, this sauce is drizzled over the bowl just before serving. It infuses the entire dish with rich, nutty, spicy undertones. The butter blends into the rice, coats the chicken, and adds depth to the salad. It’s the ultimate flavor finisher—rich, indulgent, and absolutely addictive.

A Customizable, Crowd-Pleasing Bowl

One of the reasons this rice bowl is so popular is its flexibility. It can be customized easily based on your preferences or what you have on hand. Want to make it vegetarian? Swap the chicken for tofu or chickpeas. Prefer a grain-free version? Serve it over cauliflower rice or lettuce for a low-carb option. You can make it spicier by increasing the chili flakes or mellower by reducing the curry paste. It’s equally suitable for a quick weeknight dinner or for meal prepping lunches throughout the week.

A Nutrient-Packed, Wholesome Meal

Despite its indulgent flavors, this bowl is loaded with nutrients. The chicken offers lean protein, while the mango and cucumbers are rich in vitamins A and C. Avocado contributes healthy monounsaturated fats, and seeds provide fiber and essential minerals. The rice base offers comforting carbs, and the herbs deliver antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Together, these components create a well-rounded meal that energizes and satisfies without leaving you feeling heavy.

A Colorful Bowl That’s Instagram-Worthy

There’s something about the presentation of this dish that makes it naturally beautiful. The golden chicken, bright green herbs, orange mango chunks, creamy avocado, and glossy red chili butter create a rainbow of textures and hues. It’s the kind of dish that feels festive, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to something extra special. Whether served in a rustic ceramic bowl or arranged on a modern plate, it’s as stunning to look at as it is to eat.

Ideal for Warm-Weather Dining

Because of its refreshing salad and herbaceous profile, this bowl is especially ideal for spring and summer meals. The cooling cucumbers, juicy mango, and citrusy dressing contrast beautifully with the warming spices of the chicken and chili butter, making it feel light yet fulfilling. It’s perfect for al fresco dining, weekend lunch with friends, or even a vibrant dinner when you want something a little more exciting than a basic stir-fry or salad.

Tips for Making It Even Easier

To streamline your prep, you can cook the rice ahead of time or use microwaveable packets for convenience. The mango salad can be made a few hours in advance, and the garlic-chili butter keeps well in the fridge and can be reheated quickly. If you’re short on time, pre-sliced chicken or store-bought cooked chicken can work with the curry paste for a shortcut. These tweaks make it possible to enjoy this dish even on the busiest of days without sacrificing flavor.

Conclusion

Chili Crisp Chicken Mango Cucumber Rice Bowl is more than just a meal—it’s an experience. It offers layers of flavor and texture, blending the richness of crispy curry-coated chicken with the freshness of mango salad and the decadent kick of garlic chili butter. It’s a dish that feels as joyful to prepare as it is to eat, inviting creativity and customization. Whether you’re making dinner for one or feeding a group, this bowl is guaranteed to impress with its balance, beauty, and bold taste. It’s a recipe that proves weeknight meals can be vibrant, wholesome, and unforgettable—all in one colorful bite.