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These firecracker ground chicken bowls are easy and delicious! They’re made with a firecracker sauce, ground chicken, broccoli, and rice (or cauliflower rice) and are gluten-free and paleo-friendly!

A firecracker ground chicken bowl with rice.

What is Firecracker Chicken?

Firecracker chicken is traditionally fried pieces of chicken covered in a spicy sweet sauce made from buffalo sauce, brown sugar and apple cider vinegar. It is typically served with white rice at restaurants. The combination of sweet and spicy sauce with the fried chicken makes for a delicious dish, but isn’t great for those of us with dietary restrictions!

I tweaked this recipe to have less sugar, while still maintaining the delicious spicy and sweet flavor! This bowl also adds vegetables for extra nutrients, and is gluten-free and paleo-friendly!

The Ingredients for the Firecracker Ground Chicken Bowls

  • Buffalo Sauce, Coconut Aminos, Coconut Sugar and Apple Cider Vinegar. These ingredients plus seasonings make the firecracker sauce!
  • Ginger Powder, Garlic Powder, Salt and Black Pepper. These seasonings add to the flavor of the firecracker sauce.
  • Avocado Oil. 
  • Broccoli Florets. Adding broccoli to the dish adds extra nutrients!
  • Salt and Pepper.
  • Ground Chicken. I love ground chicken, but you can use ground turkey or cubed chicken as well.
  • Green Onion. For topping!
  • Cauliflower Rice. This is a great option to serve with the chicken or you can use steamed rice if you tolerate it.

How to make Firecracker Ground Chicken Bowls

  • Combine the ingredients for the firecracker sauce.

The firecracker ground chicken bowl sauce in a bowl.

  • Using a large pan, heat the avocado oil over medium heat. Add the broccoli and saute for 4-5 minutes or until lightly crisp.
  • Add the ground chicken to the pan and crumble until fully cooked.
  • Add the broccoli and sauce to the pan and stir until the sauce fully coats the chicken and broccoli.

A pot of the firecracker ground chicken.

  • Serve in bowls with a side of rice or cauliflower rice and top with green onion.

A bowl of firecracker ground chicken with rice.

Is firecracker chicken healthy?

Firecracker chicken can be pretty sugary, but I tweaked the recipe a bit to have less sugar and more of an umami flavor! This bowl also adds vegetables for some extra nutrients.

Where do you find ground chicken?

What I love about ground chicken is that it’s faster and easier to cook than whole chicken breast or thigh. Just crumble it in a pan and you’re good to go! I find ground chicken at the butcher counter often, but you can also make ground chicken at home! Simply place your chicken thigh or breast in the freezer for 15-20 minutes, then grind in the food processor.

Can you use cubed chicken instead of ground chicken?

You can also use cubed chicken breast or thigh!

Can you use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?

You can! It’s often easier to find ground turkey so that works just as well.

A bite of firecracker ground chicken bowls on a fork.

 

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Firecracker Ground Chicken Bowls

★★★★★

5 from 9 reviews
  • Author: Michelle
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
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Ingredients

Units Scale

For the sauce

  • 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (use this for paleo and this for AIP)
  • 2 tbsp coconut aminos
  • 3 tbsp coconut sugar
  • 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp ginger powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste (omit pepper for AIP)

For the bowls

  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 2 tbsp green onion, sliced
  • 3 cups cauliflower rice, cooked (or steamed rice)

Instructions

  1. Combine the ingredients for the firecracker sauce. Stir well and season further to taste.
  2. Using a large pan, heat the avocado oil over medium heat. Add the broccoli and saute for 4-5 minutes or until lightly crisp. Season to taste and set aside.
  3. Add the ground chicken to the pan and crumble until fully cooked.
  4. Add the broccoli and sauce to the pan and stir until the sauce fully coats the chicken and broccoli.
  5. Serve in bowls with a side of rice or cauliflower rice and top with green onion.

Notes

All nutrition facts are estimated and will vary.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 344
  • Fat: 20.9g
  • Carbohydrates: 19.2g
  • Fiber: 2.9g
  • Protein: 22.2g