Description
This Firecracker Ground Chicken recipe is a bold, spicy, and slightly sweet dish that comes together in just 20 minutes. Made with lean ground chicken and a fiery sauce, it’s a quick and high-protein meal perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it over rice, in lettuce wraps, or as a filling for tacos—it’s a versatile dish the whole family will love!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs ground chicken (preferably 90% lean)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
For the Firecracker Sauce:
- ⅓ cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s Red Hot)
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sriracha (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 tsp cornstarch (mixed with 1 tbsp water)
For Garnish:
- 2 tbsp chopped green onions
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- ½ tbsp fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together hot sauce, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sriracha (if using).
- Mix cornstarch with water and stir into the sauce. Set aside.
-
Cook the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground chicken, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes, and cook for 3-4 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula.
-
Simmer with the Sauce:
- Once the chicken is fully cooked, pour in the firecracker sauce and stir well.
- Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
-
Serve & Garnish:
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro.
- Serve over rice, lettuce wraps, or in tacos. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make it Milder: Reduce or omit the sriracha and red pepper flakes.
- Make it Sweeter: Add an extra tablespoon of honey for a more balanced flavor.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat or microwave in 30-second intervals.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: firecracker chicken, ground chicken recipe, spicy chicken bowl, quick dinner, meal prep