Craving that signature spicy-sweet kick from your favorite Asian bistro but want to skip the high sodium and delivery fees? This Firecracker Ground Chicken is the ultimate "takeout fakeout." We've taken the bold, explosive flavors of a classic firecracker sauce and paired them with lean, quick-cooking ground chicken for a meal that hits the table in under 20 minutes. It's spicy, it's sticky, and it's about to become your most-requested weeknight dinner.
This healthy firecracker ground chicken recipe works as firecracker ground chicken bowls served over rice or noodles, or as a ground chicken stir-fry with broccoli for a low carb option. Whether you're looking for high protein ground chicken recipes for meal prep, healthy ground chicken recipes for weight loss, or simple ground chicken recipes for diabetics, this easy firecracker ground chicken delivers. The firecracker sauce ingredients (buffalo/sriracha spicy flavor, soy sauce and rice vinegar, brown sugar) create that signature sweet and spicy firecracker sauce in minutes. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds for a healthy, high-protein ground chicken bowl, ready in 20 minutes and perfect with rice or noodles.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Firecracker Ground Chicken
- Ingredients for Firecracker Ground Chicken
- How to Make Firecracker Ground Chicken
- My Top Tips for Perfect Firecracker Ground Chicken
- Little Moments in the Kitchen
- Substitutions for Firecracker Ground Chicken
- Variations on Firecracker Ground Chicken
- Equipment for Making Firecracker Ground Chicken
- Storage Tips for Firecracker Ground Chicken
- Adam's Tip for Firecracker Ground Chicken
- FAQ About Firecracker Ground Chicken
- Conclusion
- Related
- Pairing
- recipe
Why You'll Love This Firecracker Ground Chicken
- Ready in 20 minutes or less. From pan to plate, this quick 20-minute dinner is one of the fastest healthy meals you can make on a busy weeknight.
- High protein and low carb friendly. Ground chicken is naturally lean, and with minimal sauce ingredients, this dish fits perfectly into high protein ground chicken recipes and healthy ground chicken recipes for weight loss plans.
- Sweet and spicy balance. The sweet and spicy firecracker sauce hits all the right notes without being overwhelmingly hot, making it family-friendly while still exciting.
Ingredients for Firecracker Ground Chicken
This simple ingredient list creates a flavorful ground chicken stir-fry with broccoli.
What You'll Need
For the Ground Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground chicken
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (optional)
- 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped small
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Firecracker Sauce:
- ⅓ cup buffalo sauce (or sriracha for extra heat)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (or Swerve brown sugar for low carb)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for more heat)
For Serving:
- Cooked white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Lime wedges (optional)
Why These Ingredients Matter
Ground chicken is lean and high in protein. It cooks quickly and absorbs the sweet and spicy firecracker sauce beautifully, making it perfect for lean high protein meal prep and healthy ground chicken bowls.
Buffalo sauce and brown sugar create the firecracker flavor. The combination of spicy buffalo/sriracha spicy flavor and sweet brown sugar is what makes firecracker sauce so addictive. Use Swerve brown sugar for a low carb version.
Soy sauce and rice vinegar add depth. These two ingredients balance the sweetness and heat with savory umami and a touch of acidity, creating a well-rounded firecracker sauce ingredients blend.
How to Make Firecracker Ground Chicken
Step-by-Step Directions
- Prep the firecracker sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the buffalo sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set aside.
- Heat the oil. In a large skillet or wok, heat the olive oil or avocado oil over medium-high heat.
- Cook the ground chicken. Add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through. The chicken should be broken into small crumbles.
- Add the garlic and ginger. Push the chicken to the side of the skillet and add the minced garlic and grated ginger (if using) to the empty space. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir it into the chicken.
- Add the broccoli. Toss in the chopped broccoli florets and stir to combine. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the broccoli is tender-crisp and bright green.
- Pour in the firecracker sauce. Pour the prepared firecracker sauce over the ground chicken and broccoli. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the chicken and broccoli.
- Season to taste. Taste the ground chicken stir-fry with broccoli and add salt and black pepper as needed. If you want more heat, add extra buffalo sauce or sriracha.
- Serve immediately. Divide the firecracker ground chicken among bowls and serve with rice or noodles, or over cauliflower rice for a low carb option. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Add a squeeze of lime if desired.
Quick Tip: Don't skip the broccoli! It adds texture, color, and nutrition to this quick 20-minute dinner.
My Top Tips for Perfect Firecracker Ground Chicken
- Use lean ground chicken. Ground chicken is naturally lower in fat than ground beef or pork, making it perfect for healthy ground chicken recipes for weight loss. Look for 93% lean or higher.
- Break the chicken into small crumbles. Smaller pieces cook faster and absorb the sweet and spicy firecracker sauce better, giving you more flavor in every bite.
- Don't overcook the broccoli. Add it toward the end and cook just until tender-crisp. Overcooked broccoli turns mushy and loses its bright green color.
- Adjust the heat level. If you prefer a milder version, use less buffalo sauce and skip the red pepper flakes. For extra heat, add more sriracha or a dash of cayenne.
Little Moments in the Kitchen
The first time I made this, Adam came into the kitchen sniffing the air. "What's that smell? It smells spicy and sweet at the same time." I told him it was firecracker chicken, and he got excited. "Like fireworks? Is it really spicy?" I laughed and promised him it wasn't too spicy, just enough to make it interesting.
When we sat down to eat, he took a cautious bite and then smiled. "Mom, this is really good! The sauce is sweet but also a little spicy, and the broccoli tastes good with it. Can we make this again?" I told him absolutely, and Grandma Viola nodded in agreement. "This is smart cooking. You used ground chicken, so it cooked fast. The sauce is simple but has a lot of flavor. And you added broccoli, so it's healthy. This is a winner for busy nights."
If you love quick skillet dinners, try our Oven Baked Chicken Thighs. It's another family favorite.
Substitutions for Firecracker Ground Chicken
- Ground chicken: Use ground turkey, ground pork, or even lean ground beef if you prefer. The cooking time stays the same.
- Buffalo sauce: Swap with sriracha, hot sauce, or your favorite spicy sauce. Adjust the amount based on your heat preference.
- Brown sugar: Use honey, maple syrup, or a low carb sweetener like Swerve brown sugar for healthy firecracker ground chicken variations.
- Broccoli: Replace with snap peas, bell peppers, zucchini, or cauliflower florets for variety in your ground chicken stir-fry with broccoli.
Variations on Firecracker Ground Chicken
- Firecracker Ground Chicken Bowls: Serve over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal, perfect for firecracker ground chicken bowls and healthy ground chicken bowls.
- Firecracker Ground Chicken with Rice: Prepare the recipe above and serve with steamed jasmine rice or fried rice for firecracker ground chicken with rice and ground chicken and rice recipes.
- Easy Firecracker Ground Chicken: Skip the broccoli and serve the saucy chicken over rice or noodles for a super simple version, ideal for easy firecracker ground chicken and 3 ingredient ground chicken recipes.
- Healthy Firecracker Ground Chicken: Use Swerve brown sugar and serve over cauliflower rice for a low carb, high protein option, perfect for healthy firecracker ground chicken and ground chicken recipes healthy low carb.
- Firecracker Ground Chicken Recipes with Extra Veggies: Add bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots to the stir-fry for more nutrition, great for ground chicken and broccoli recipes and asian ground chicken recipes.
If you're craving more bold flavors, check out our Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Chicken. It's another crowd-pleaser.
Equipment for Making Firecracker Ground Chicken
- Large skillet or wok: For cooking the ground chicken and stir-frying the broccoli. A 12-inch skillet works best.
- Wooden spoon or spatula: For breaking up the ground chicken and stirring the stir-fry.
- Small bowl and whisk: For mixing the firecracker sauce ingredients.
- Microplane or grater: For grating fresh ginger (if using).
Storage Tips for Firecracker Ground Chicken
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This lean high protein meal prep favorite reheats beautifully.
- Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating tip: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring frequently. You can also microwave individual portions for 1 to 2 minutes. Add a splash of water or soy sauce if the sauce has thickened too much.
- Meal prep tip: Cook a double batch of firecracker ground chicken and divide into meal prep containers with rice and broccoli for easy grab-and-go lunches all week long.
For more meal prep ideas, try our Addictively Good Baked Chicken Thighs. Another great option for busy weeks.
Adam's Tip for Firecracker Ground Chicken
"If you don't like spicy food, ask your mom to use less buffalo sauce. But if you do like spicy, add extra! And make sure you get some broccoli in every bite because it's actually really good with the sauce!"
FAQ About Firecracker Ground Chicken
What can I add to ground chicken for flavor?
Ground chicken benefits from bold seasonings like garlic, ginger, soy sauce and rice vinegar, and spicy sauces. For this firecracker ground chicken, the sweet and spicy firecracker sauce made with buffalo/sriracha spicy flavor and brown sugar adds tons of flavor. You can also add onions, bell peppers, or extra spices like paprika or cumin to ground chicken recipes healthy. Always season ground chicken with salt and pepper while cooking to enhance its natural flavor.
What holds ground chicken together?
Ground chicken holds together naturally when cooked because the proteins bind as they heat up. For recipes like meatballs or patties, you can add a binder like breadcrumbs, egg, or grated Parmesan cheese. For ground chicken stir-fry with broccoli like this easy firecracker ground chicken, you don't need a binder since the chicken is cooked loose and tossed with the sweet and spicy firecracker sauce. The sauce helps coat and bind the crumbles together for firecracker ground chicken bowls and healthy ground chicken bowls.
What is the best way to cook ground chicken?
The best way to cook ground chicken is in a hot skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks. Use a little oil to prevent sticking, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until browned and cooked through to 165°F. For this quick 20-minute dinner, cook the ground chicken first, then add the firecracker sauce ingredients and broccoli to create a lean high protein meal prep dish. Ground chicken recipes healthy like this one are easy to customize with different vegetables or serve with rice or noodles.
What does firecracker chicken taste like?
Firecracker chicken has a sweet and spicy flavor that's both tangy and a little bit hot. The sweet comes from brown sugar, while the spicy comes from buffalo sauce or sriracha, creating that signature buffalo/sriracha spicy flavor. The soy sauce and rice vinegar add savory umami and a touch of acidity, making the firecracker sauce ingredients well-balanced and addictive. This healthy firecracker ground chicken version tastes like the traditional fried firecracker chicken but is lighter and faster, perfect for firecracker ground chicken with rice and ground chicken recipes for dinner.
For another spicy-sweet chicken dish, check out these Firecracker Chicken Meatballs from Allrecipes.
Conclusion
Who needs a delivery driver when you can whip up this homemade firecracker chicken in less time than it takes to browse an app? It's faster, fresher, and arguably much tastier than the restaurant version. If this dish sparked some joy in your kitchen, leave a 5-star review below! I'd love to know if you served yours over rice, noodles, or even in lettuce wraps.
If you try this easy firecracker ground chicken, you'll see why it's become one of my go-to meals for busy weeknights. Whether you're making firecracker ground chicken bowls, serving it over rice, or going low carb with cauliflower rice, this quick 20-minute dinner with firecracker sauce ingredients delivers every time. The lean high protein meal prep potential and healthy firecracker ground chicken variations make it perfect for meal planning. The combination of ground chicken stir-fry with broccoli and that sweet and spicy firecracker sauce creates ground chicken bowls with veggies that taste better than takeout.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Firecracker Ground Chicken:
recipe
Firecracker Ground Chicken
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet or wok A 12 inch skillet gives the chicken room to brown properly
- 1 Wooden spoon or spatula
- 1 Small mixing bowl
- 1 Whisk
Ingredients
For the Ground Chicken
- 1.5 pounds lean ground chicken 93 percent lean works best
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated, optional
- 2 cups broccoli florets chopped small
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
For the Firecracker Sauce
- 0.33 cup buffalo sauce or sriracha for extra heat
- 0.25 cup brown sugar or low carb brown sugar substitute
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
For Serving
- 4 cups cooked white rice or noodles cauliflower rice works for low carb
- 0.25 cup green onions sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the buffalo sauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Set the sauce aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground chicken. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Push chicken to one side. Add garlic and ginger to the pan and sauté for 30 seconds. Stir to combine with the chicken.
- Add broccoli and stir everything together. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until broccoli is tender-crisp.
- Pour in the firecracker sauce. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the mixture.
- Serve over cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- This recipe is perfect for meal prep and keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
For a low carb version, serve over cauliflower rice and use a sugar substitute.
Ground turkey works well if you do not have ground chicken.
If cooking with kids, keep the heat mild and let them add extra sauce at the table if they like spice.
This dish is extra special when eaten together on a busy school night, even if homework is waiting on the counter
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