Protein Firecracker Ground Chicken Bowls (Print Version)
Zesty ground chicken with spicy 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 or maple syrup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and ground ginger in a small bowl until fully incorporated. Set aside for later 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 the cooked rice or cauliflower rice evenly among four serving bowls, creating the foundation for each bowl.
05 - Top each rice bowl with an equal portion of the firecracker chicken mixture.
06 - Arrange shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, bell pepper slices, and green onions around the chicken in each bowl.
07 - Sprinkle sesame seeds over each bowl. Add optional toppings such as fresh cilantro or sliced avocado. Serve immediately with additional firecracker sauce if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The firecracker sauce comes together in seconds and transforms plain ground chicken into something restaurant-worthy
- You can customize the spice level and vegetables to please everyone at your table
02 -
- The sauce will continue to thicken as it stands off the heat, so don't overcook it or you'll end up with a sticky mess
- Ground chicken releases a lot of liquid as it cooks, so don't be alarmed if the pan looks watery at first
03 -
- If your ground chicken is very lean, add a teaspoon of oil to the pan before cooking to prevent sticking
- Let the sauce cool slightly before tasting to judge the heat level accurately, as it intensifies as it cools