Firecracker Ground Chicken Stir-Fry with chopped broccoli is the perfect solution for a quick, flavorful, and budget-friendly weeknight meal. It’s an easy and mouthwatering ground chicken stir-fry that’s ready in just 20 minutes.
Looking for more easy chicken dinner recipes, you may also like Honey Soy Baked Chicken and Veggies and Easy Sweet Chili Chicken – 30 Minute Dinner!
What is Firecracker Chicken?
Firecracker chicken is a popular dish known for its flavors and spicy kick. It’s a stir-fry dish that typically features crispy bite-sized pieces of chicken coated with a sweet and spicy sauce.
With a two-year-old in the house, I made sure to make this firecracker chicken stir fry kid-friendly as well. It’s not just quick and flavorful; it’s now truly family-friendly. Choosing a sweet and mild buffalo sauce was the key to achieving the perfect balance, ensuring it’s enjoyable for the little one while still delivering that desired fiery kick for the adults. I also added chopped broccoli into the stir-fry.
What is Firecracker Sauce Made Of?
The secret behind Firecracker Chicken lies in its sauce. The sauce is a blend of sweet, spicy, and savory elements. Typically, it includes ingredients like buffalo sauce, soy sauce for saltiness, brown sugar for sweetness, chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes for heat, and a dash of vinegar for tanginess.
To maintain the recipe’s wholesome appeal for the whole family, I chose a mild and sweet buffalo sauce, swapped brown sugar for honey, skipped the red pepper flakes, and opted for low-sodium soy sauce. The result? An equally delicious dish that won the hearts of my entire family.
Ingredients for Firecracker Ground Chicken Stir-Fry
- Ground Chicken: For a protein-packed base.
- Chopped Broccoli: Adds a vibrant crunch and nutritional boost.
- Avocado Oil: Used for sautéing and enhancing flavors.
- Onion, Garlic and Ginger: Infuses the dish with aromatic goodness.
- Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Green Onions, and Sesame Seeds: Seasonings and garnishes for the finishing touch.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Provides a savory and salty kick.
- Honey: Adds a touch of natural sweetness.
- Buffalo Sauce: Brings the heat and robust flavor.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds a hint of tanginess to the sauce.
How to Make Firecracker Chicken with Ground Chicken?
- In a bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the Firecracker Sauce and set aside.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat avocado oil over medium-high heat.
- Add ground chicken and onion to the skillet, breaking it apart and cooking until browned.
- Stir in chopped broccoli, season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Then pour the Firecracker Sauce over the mixture.
- Cook until the broccoli is tender and the sauce coats the chicken evenly.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
What to Serve with Firecracker Ground Chicken?
Steamed Rice or Fried Rice: The neutral base of steamed or fried rice pairs well with flavorful chicken, soaking up the delicious sauce.
Noodles: I like to serve ground chicken stir fry over a bed of noodles, such as rice noodles or lo mein, to create a satisfying and complete dish.
Steamed Bok Choy: Lightly steamed bok choy or other leafy greens can provide a nutritious and mildly flavored side dish.
Large lettuce leaves: For a light and refreshing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Firecracker Chicken Healthy?
Firecracker chicken can be a healthy dish, particularly when incorporating lean protein, vegetables, and mindful choices in sauce ingredients, but overall healthiness depends on specific recipe variations and individual dietary considerations. Consider substitutions like using a buffalo sauce with great ingredients like Primal Kitchen sauces and using honey instead of sugar.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great alternative, offering a leaner option with a similar texture.
Is Firecracker chicken suitable for for meal prep?
Yes, this Firecracker Ground Chicken Stir-Fry is great for meal prep. You can prepare the components in advance and assemble or reheat the dish when ready to eat.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
More Family Dinner Recipes
One Pan Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi – 30 Minute Dinner
Easy One Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice Dinner
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
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Firecracker Ground Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 cups chopped broccoli
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
For the Firecracker Sauce:
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce mild and sweet or spicy to your preference
- 3 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic grated or minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together buffalo sauce, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic and ginger until well combined. Set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add minced onion to the pot and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula or meat mincer. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
- Add the chopped broccoli, paprika, salt and pepper into the skillet, stirring well to combine with the chicken.
- Pour the prepared firecracker sauce over the chicken and broccoli mixture. Ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the broccoli reaches the desired level of tenderness.
- Garnish the stir-fry with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
- Spoon the firecracker ground chicken with broccoli over steamed rice, noodles, or serve it in lettuce wraps for a lighter option.
24 comments
Another family hit! I made it with mild and sweet buffalo sauce as some of my family members can’t handle too much heat, and everyone loved it. Those that wanted more heat just added it to their individual servings. I told them I made the “sparkler” version as opposed to the “grand finale”.
I love this so much. Glad your entire family loved it too. I’m going to start calling it the “sparkler” version too lol
Delicious. I used spray oil instead of avacado oil, used 1 1/2 lbs of ground chicken and 3 cups broccoli, simmered with a lid for 5 minutes and then removed the lid for an additional 3 minutes to cook the broccoli to my liking (still slightly crisp). Spicy with an Asian flare. Eaten without rice is just my calorie count, with rice perfect for my husband and son. Thanks for the great recipe.
Thank you so much for sharing your tweaks! I love that you made the recipe your own with those adjustments. It’s great to hear that it worked out well for you, and that it was a hit with your husband and son too.
This was incredible! Thank you!
This was absolutely delish. Used a red onion and extra ginger. Served it on brown rice. Definitely going into our dinner rotation. Thanks!
I am so happy to hear that you loved it.
Hello!
This sounds delicious, but I’m not a huge fan of buffalo sauce. Do you have any suggestions as a replacement?
Sorry to hear that. Maybe you can try sriracha + melted butter + a splash of vinegar. Let me know if you try it.
So easy and tasty! I only added in 1/3 to 1/2 of the sauce just to reduce the sodium but was still delicious ☺️
Sounds amazing! Glad you enjoyed it.
1/4 Tbsp honey? Or 1/4 C? If it’s Tbso, I’d just say 1 1/2 tsp or something?
Thanks for pointing that out! Recipe updated to 3 tablespoons.
Is the honey amount correct? 1/4 Tbsp? (So like a teaspoon?) it’s a strange direction. Haha
Recipe updated to 3 tablespoons.
Sorry I am a little confused after reading these comments about the honey measurement. I wanted to make this tonight and want to make sure I use the right amount. For the sauce, is it 1/4 cup honey or 1Tablespoon. You had mentioned 1T and said you updated it but it still says 1/4c. It is entirely possible (and probable lol) that I am missing something but that is why I am checking. Thanks! I am sooooo looking forward to making and especially eating this meal!
Totally fair question and thank you for catching that! I actually went back and retested the recipe, and the updated measurement is 3 tablespoons of honey. I’ve just updated the recipe card to reflect that, so you’re not missing anything! Hope you enjoy it and let me know how it turns out.
I substituted cauliflower because I didn’t have broccoli. My whole family loved it
Love that swap! Cauliflower sounds like a perfect substitute. So happy to hear your whole family enjoyed it!
Delicious! I’m making it for the second time now. I used red onion (this time) and ground ginger. My only concern is the confusion about the amount of honey needed (I used 1/4 cup since that’s what the recipe says, although I noticed in the comments you say 1 Tbsp?). It tastes great regardless!
Love that you’re already making it a second time and red onion and ground ginger sound like great swaps. Thanks for pointing out the honey note too. I recently retested the recipe and updated the amount to 3 tablespoons of honey, but I must’ve missed updating it in one spot. I’ll fix that now. So glad it still turned out delicious for you.
This looks so good! What a great combination of flavors!
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Great question! Yes, this keeps well in the fridge for about 3–4 days in an airtight container.