Protein Firecracker Ground Chicken Bowls (Printable)
Spicy ground chicken with crisp vegetables and tangy firecracker sauce over rice for a protein-packed meal.
# What You'll 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 or maple syrup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and ground ginger in a small bowl until fully incorporated. Set aside until ready to use.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and completely 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 evenly coats the chicken. Remove from heat.
04 - Divide cooked rice or cauliflower rice among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with an equal portion of the firecracker ground chicken.
05 - Arrange shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, bell pepper slices, and green onions around the chicken in each bowl.
06 - Sprinkle sesame seeds over each bowl. Add fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, or additional firecracker sauce if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- That perfect balance of sweet heat that keeps you coming back for another bite
- Everything cooks in one pan and comes together in under 30 minutes
- Customizable heat level so everyone at the table can be happy
02 -
- The sauce will look thin at first but thickens quickly once it hits the hot pan, so dont be tempted to add cornstarch
- Ground chicken releases a lot of liquid as it cooks, so let it brown undisturbed for a minute or two between stirs to get some caramelization
- Reserve a little extra sauce to drizzle over the bowls at the end because the rice soaks it up fast
03 -
- Mix the sauce in a jar with a lid so you can give it a good shake and any leftovers store easily
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes until fragrant, it makes a huge difference