Honey Sriracha Ground Chicken and Broccoli

Imagine tender ground chicken coated in a sticky-sweet glaze with just the right amount of spicy kick, paired with crisp-tender broccoli florets that soak up all that incredible sauce. This Honey Sriracha Ground Chicken and Broccoli is the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s the ultimate weeknight dinner solution when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. You’ll learn how to create this crave-worthy dish with simple ingredients and easy techniques that deliver restaurant-quality results.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Honey Sriracha Ground Chicken and Broccoli is about to become your new favorite weeknight meal for so many reasons. First, the contrasting textures are absolutely delightful – juicy ground chicken with slightly caramelized edges paired with broccoli that maintains the perfect balance between tenderness and crunch. The sauce is the real star, though, with its harmonious blend of sweet honey, spicy sriracha, and savory soy sauce that coats every bite.

What makes this dish truly special is its versatility and ease. It comes together in one pan in less than 30 minutes, making cleanup a breeze. The ingredients are affordable pantry staples you likely already have on hand. Plus, it’s naturally protein-packed and veggie-loaded, satisfying both your taste buds and nutritional needs in one delicious package.

The spicy chicken and broccoli stir fry reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or next-day lunches that won’t leave you disappointed. Whether you’re cooking for a family or meal prepping for one, this recipe delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

For this Honey Sriracha Ground Chicken and Broccoli, you’ll need:

• 1 lb (454g) ground chicken
• 4 cups (340g) broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

For the sauce:
• 3 tablespoons honey (use quality honey for the best flavor)
• 2-3 tablespoons sriracha sauce (adjust to your heat preference)
• 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

For garnish:
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

The sriracha brings necessary heat while the honey balances with sweetness. Using low-sodium soy sauce allows you to control the saltiness of your final dish. Fresh ginger adds a warm, aromatic quality that dried simply can’t match.

Pro Tips

To elevate your Honey Sriracha Ground Chicken and Broccoli from good to exceptional, follow these critical techniques:

Brown, Don’t Stir Constantly: When cooking the ground chicken, resist the urge to constantly stir. Let it sit undisturbed for 2-3 minutes at a time to develop those delicious golden-brown edges that add texture and flavor. This caramelization is key to depth of flavor in this honey sriracha chicken recipe.

Blanch the Broccoli: For perfectly crisp-tender broccoli, briefly blanch it in boiling water for just 1 minute before shocking in ice water. This pre-cooking ensures your broccoli will finish cooking perfectly in the stir-fry without becoming mushy or requiring too much time in the pan.

Make a Slurry: For the silkiest, perfectly thickened sauce, mix your cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry before adding it to your hot sauce ingredients. This prevents clumping and ensures even distribution throughout your sauce, giving your dish that restaurant-quality glaze that clings beautifully to both the chicken and broccoli.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, sriracha, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until well combined. In a separate small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Add the slurry to your sauce mixture and whisk until smooth. Set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Broccoli
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. If you prefer softer broccoli, add 2 tablespoons of water and cover for 1 minute. Transfer the broccoli to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Brown the Ground Chicken
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the ground chicken and break it up with a wooden spoon. Let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to develop golden brown edges before stirring. Continue cooking until the chicken is no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes total.

Step 4: Add Aromatics
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the chicken. Stir continuously for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 5: Combine and Finish
Pour the sauce over the chicken and bring to a simmer. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken. Return the broccoli to the pan and toss everything together, ensuring all pieces are coated in the glossy sauce. Continue cooking for another minute until everything is heated through and the sauce has reached your desired consistency.

Step 6: Serve
Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve your Honey Sriracha Ground Chicken and Broccoli immediately over steamed rice or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.

Variations

Honey Sriracha Beef and Broccoli: Swap the ground chicken for ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio works best) for a richer flavor profile. The beef pairs beautifully with the sweet and spicy sauce, creating a heartier version of the original dish. Cook the beef the same way you would the chicken, but you may need to drain excess fat before adding the aromatics.

Vegetarian Version: Transform this Honey Sriracha Ground Chicken and Broccoli into a plant-based meal by substituting the chicken with crumbled extra-firm tofu or a plant-based ground meat alternative. Press the tofu thoroughly before crumbling to remove excess moisture, then season generously with a bit of nutritional yeast for added umami flavor. For additional protein, add 1 cup of edamame along with the broccoli.

Extra Veggie Boost: For a more veggie-forward meal, add sliced bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, or mushrooms alongside the broccoli. This colorful variation not only increases the nutritional value but also creates an even more visually appealing dish with varied textures and flavors while still maintaining the delicious honey sriracha sauce as the star.

Storage and Serving

This Honey Sriracha Ground Chicken and Broccoli stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually develop and deepen overnight, making it taste even better the next day. For reheating, microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes or gently warm in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to revive the sauce.

Serve this dish over steamed jasmine rice for a classic pairing that allows the flavorful sauce to shine. For a lower-carb option, cauliflower rice makes an excellent base. You could also serve it wrapped in butter lettuce leaves for a fun, hand-held meal with great textural contrast.

For a complete meal, pair with a simple cucumber and rice vinegar salad on the side. The cool, crisp cucumbers provide a refreshing counterpoint to the spicy-sweet main dish. If serving for guests, consider starting with a light miso soup and ending with fresh fruit for dessert.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is an excellent substitute for ground chicken in this recipe. Use a blend with some fat content (around 93% lean) for the best flavor and to prevent the meat from drying out during cooking.

How can I make this dish less spicy?
To reduce the heat, start with just 1 tablespoon of sriracha and adjust upward to taste. You can also substitute part of the sriracha with tomato paste for color and body without the spice, or add extra honey to balance the heat with sweetness.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! This Honey Sriracha Ground Chicken and Broccoli is perfect for meal prep. Prepare it completely, cool, and store in airtight containers. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often improve after a day of melding together.

Is there a substitute for honey?
Maple syrup or agave nectar work well as honey substitutes in this recipe. They’ll provide similar sweetness, though each brings its unique flavor profile. Maple syrup adds a warming note that complements the sriracha beautifully.

What can I use instead of broccoli?
If broccoli isn’t your favorite, try cauliflower, green beans, or bok choy as alternatives. Each vegetable will absorb the sauce differently but will work well with the flavor profile of this dish. For cauliflower, cut it slightly smaller than you would broccoli for similar cooking times.

Conclusion

This Honey Sriracha Ground Chicken and Broccoli is comfort food at its finest — a perfect symphony of sweet, spicy and savory flavors combined with satisfying textures in every bite. It’s the kind of dish that transforms ordinary weeknights into something special, without demanding hours in the kitchen or complicated techniques. Whether you’re cooking for family, meal prepping for the week ahead, or simply treating yourself to something delicious, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort. The beautiful balance of protein, vegetables, and that irresistible honey sriracha sauce will have everyone asking for seconds—just don’t be surprised when it becomes a regular request in your home!

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