Spicy Firecracker Ground Chicken Recipe: A Zesty Family Favorite

Spicy weeknight meals find their match in firecracker ground chicken, a zesty dish that sparks culinary excitement.

Flavor bombs like this transform ordinary dinner routines into something extraordinary.

Crisp vegetables and tender meat combine with a sauce that dances across your palate.

Vibrant ingredients promise a quick and satisfying experience that takes less than thirty minutes to prepare.

Sriracha and honey create a perfect balance of heat and sweetness in this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Bold seasonings ensure each bite delivers maximum taste without complicated cooking techniques.

You will devour this delicious creation and wonder why you haven’t made it sooner.

Firecracker Chicken Stored With All Its Kick

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm chicken in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying.
• Revive dish's moisture by gently reheating in skillet over medium-low heat, adding small splash of water or chicken broth to maintain tender texture.
• Freeze in sealed freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, thawing overnight in refrigerator before reheating for best quality and flavor preservation.

What Goes With Ground Chicken

• Spice-Matching Beverage: Cool down the firecracker chicken's heat with a crisp, slightly sweet German Riesling that balances the spicy flavors while complementing the honey's sweetness.
• Cooling Companion Dish: Pair with cucumber or green apple slaw to provide a refreshing, crunchy contrast that cuts through the dish's intense spiciness and offers a palate-cleansing effect.
• Textural Rice Enhancement: Select jasmine or short-grain rice to absorb the vibrant sauce, creating a perfect base that soaks up the complex flavor profile without competing with the chicken's bold taste.
• Heat-Balancing Side Salad: Create a simple cilantro and mint salad with light citrus dressing to introduce a fresh, cooling element that neutralizes the sriracha and red pepper flakes' intensity.

Ground Chicken Spice Twists

• Low-Carb Lettuce Chicken: Replace rice with crisp lettuce cups for a lighter, carb-free version perfect for keto dieters.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute ground chicken with crumbled extra-firm tofu or plant-based ground meat alternatives for a meat-free option.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate those with gluten sensitivities.
• Spice-Level Customization: Adjust hot sauce and sriracha quantities to create mild, medium, or extra-hot versions based on personal heat tolerance.

FAQs

• What makes this firecracker chicken different from other chicken recipes?

This recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors with its unique combination of hot sauce, honey, soy sauce, and sriracha, creating a bold and exciting dish.

• Is this recipe spicy?

Yes, the recipe has a moderate heat level from hot sauce, sriracha, and red pepper flakes. You can easily adjust the spiciness by reducing or increasing these ingredients to match your personal heat tolerance.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is an excellent substitute and will work perfectly with the same cooking method and sauce ingredients, giving you a similar texture and flavor profile.

• What are some key tips for making the sauce taste best?

Whisk the sauce ingredients thoroughly before adding to the chicken, and let it simmer to allow the flavors to meld together. Tasting and adjusting the seasonings before final cooking can help enhance the overall taste.

Firecracker Ground Chicken That Brings Serious Spice

• Spice Up Fast Meals: Quick and zesty ground chicken dish that transforms ordinary weeknight cooking into an exciting culinary adventure.
• Effortless Weeknight Winner: Requires minimal ingredients and only 20 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy professionals or tired parents seeking delicious, stress-free dinners.
• Heat-Packed Flavor Explosion: Delivers bold, tangy taste with sriracha, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes, satisfying spice lovers who crave complex, restaurant-quality meals at home.
• Versatile Serving Options: Adaptable recipe allows serving over rice or lettuce wraps, making it ideal for low-carb diets, meal prep, or accommodating different dietary preferences without compromising taste.

Heat-Packed Firecracker Chicken Ingredients

• Ground Chicken: Lean protein base that absorbs flavors well, choose fresh and finely ground for best texture.

• Garlic, Ginger: Fresh and fragrant ingredients that add depth and warmth to the dish, mince finely for maximum flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the chicken's natural taste.

• Hot Sauce, Sriracha: Provides spicy kick and zesty flavor, adjust amount for desired heat level.
• Honey: Adds sweetness to balance the spice, use pure honey for best results.
• Soy Sauce: Introduces umami and saltiness, low-sodium option available for health-conscious cooks.
• Rice Vinegar: Brings tangy brightness to the sauce, helps balance rich flavors.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional extra heat and visual appeal, can be adjusted to preference.

• Olive Oil: Used for cooking and preventing sticking, choose extra virgin for better flavor.
• Cornstarch: Creates sauce thickening, mix with water to form a smooth slurry.
• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Fresh garnish for added color and texture.

Firecracker Chicken (Ground) Prep Method

Step 1: Sizzle Ground Chicken

Heat olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat.

Toss in ground chicken, sprinkle some salt and pepper.

Break up the meat with a spatula while cooking until it turns golden brown.

If there’s extra liquid, drain it away.

Step 2: Infuse Aromatic Flavors

Introduce minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet.

Sauté for a quick minute until the kitchen fills with a mouthwatering fragrance.

Step 3: Create Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Hot sauce
• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sriracha
• Red pepper flakes

Blend these ingredients until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Coat and Simmer Chicken

Pour the zesty sauce over the cooked chicken.

Stir thoroughly to ensure every piece gets a generous coating.

Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

Mix cornstarch with a splash of water to create a slurry.

Pour this into the skillet and cook for 1–2 minutes.

The sauce will transform into a glossy, clingy consistency that hugs the chicken perfectly.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Remove the skillet from heat.

Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and a handful of sesame seeds on top.

Serve this spicy delight over fluffy rice or crisp lettuce wraps for a meal that’ll make taste buds dance.

Ground Chicken Firecracker Tips

• Adjust hot sauce and sriracha quantities to control heat intensity, making the dish mild or fiery based on personal preference.
• Whisk cornstarch slurry thoroughly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth, glossy sauce that clings perfectly to the chicken.
• Swap ground chicken with ground turkey or tofu for alternative protein sources without compromising flavor profile.
• Serve over cauliflower rice for low-carb diets or use as a filling for lettuce wraps to create a lighter meal option.
• Toast sesame seeds briefly before sprinkling to release nutty aromatics and add extra dimension to the final dish.

Firecracker Ground Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Firecracker ground chicken sparks culinary excitement with its bold Asian-inspired flavors. Spicy, sweet, and irresistibly zesty, you’ll savor this quick meal that delivers restaurant-quality taste right in your kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 lb (450g) ground chicken

Spices and Aromatics:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for extra spice)

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 1/4 cup hot sauce (such as Franks RedHot)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low sodium)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sriracha (adjust to taste)

Cooking Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 tablespoon water)

Garnish:

• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious skillet with olive oil over medium temperature, introducing ground chicken seasoned with salt and pepper, then diligently crumble and sear until achieving a golden-brown exterior, carefully eliminating any excess moisture.
2. Infuse the meat with minced garlic and freshly grated ginger, stirring continuously for approximately 60 seconds to awaken their aromatic essence.
3. Craft a vibrant sauce by blending hot sauce, golden honey, umami-rich soy sauce, tangy rice vinegar, fiery sriracha, and crushed red pepper flakes in a separate mixing vessel.
4. Cascade the prepared sauce over the sizzling chicken, thoroughly coating each morsel and allowing the mixture to gently simmer and meld flavors for 2-3 minutes.
5. Introduce a cornstarch slurry to the skillet, stirring consistently to transform the liquid into a luxuriously thick and glossy coating that clings beautifully to the chicken.
6. Transition the skillet off direct heat, embellishing the dish with delicately sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.
7. Present the firecracker chicken atop fluffy rice or nestled within crisp lettuce wraps for a delightful and versatile meal experience.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by adjusting hot sauce and sriracha amounts to suit personal spice tolerance.
• Use ground turkey or tofu as excellent protein alternatives for diverse dietary preferences.
• Create a low-carb version by serving exclusively in crisp lettuce wraps instead of rice.
• Quickly transform leftovers into meal prep friendly options by storing in airtight containers for up to 3 days in refrigerator.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg