Protein Firecracker Ground Chicken (Printable)

Spicy ground chicken with tangy firecracker sauce served over rice with fresh vegetables

# What You Need:

→ Protein

01 - 1 lb ground chicken

→ Firecracker Sauce

02 - 1/4 cup hot sauce (Sriracha or Frank's Red Hot)
03 - 3 tbsp honey or maple syrup
04 - 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
05 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
06 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 tsp ground ginger

→ Vegetables & Bowl Base

09 - 2 cups cooked jasmine or brown rice (or cauliflower rice for low-carb)
10 - 1 cup shredded carrots
11 - 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber
12 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
13 - 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
14 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds

→ Optional Toppings

15 - Fresh cilantro leaves
16 - Sliced avocado
17 - Extra drizzle of firecracker sauce

# How-To Steps:

01 - Whisk together hot sauce, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and ground ginger in a small bowl until well combined. Set aside for later use.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
03 - Pour the firecracker sauce over the cooked chicken. Stir continuously for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken evenly. Remove from heat.
04 - Divide cooked rice or cauliflower rice among four bowls. Top each portion with the firecracker ground chicken.
05 - Arrange shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, bell pepper, and green onions around the chicken. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and add any desired toppings such as cilantro or avocado.
06 - Serve immediately, with extra firecracker sauce drizzled on top if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan and comes together in under 30 minutes
  • The sauce hits that perfect sweet-spicy balance that makes you want to lick the plate
  • You can prep all the vegetables while the chicken cooks, making it insanely efficient
02 -
  • The sauce will look thin when you first pour it, but it thickens rapidly once it hits the hot chicken—don't be tempted to add more honey or reduce it down beforehand
  • Ground chicken releases a fair amount of liquid as it cooks, so let it brown properly before adding the sauce or you'll end up with a watery bowl
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes before sprinkling them on—the difference in flavor is honestly worth the extra step
  • If your sauce seems too thick, add a teaspoon of water at a time until it reaches that perfect drizzle consistency

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