If you're looking for an easy ground chicken stir fry that makes a quick and satisfying dinner, this recipe is a great choice. This quick ground chicken stir fry uses simple ingredients and cooks entirely in one pan, making both the cooking and cleanup fast and convenient.
Made with lean ground chicken (a versatile ground meat), it's a flavorful ground chicken stir fry dinner recipe packed with Tex-Mex spices, fresh vegetables, lime zest, and lime juice. The combination creates a bright, bold flavor without relying on excess salt, making it a great option if you're watching your sodium intake.
This 30-minute ground chicken stir fry is also perfect for leftovers and works well for weekly meal prep. As a simple ground chicken stir fry recipe, it pairs easily with white rice, Mexican rice or other grains, or you can keep it low carb by serving it in crisp lettuce wraps.
If you enjoy cooking with ground chicken, you might also like my Keema Shimla Mirch (Pakistani Ground Chicken with Bell Pepper) , baked Greek chicken meatballs, or this flavorful Thai basil chicken. Ground chicken is a versatile ground meat that works well in quick weeknight meals.
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Ingredients:
Here's what you'll need to make this flavorful ground chicken stir-fry:
- Ground chicken: the main protein that cooks quickly and soaks up all the flavors.
- Chopped onion: adds natural sweetness and depth.
- Chopped bell pepper and carrots: bring color and a satisfying crunch. Minced garlic provides aroma and enhances flavor.
- Tomato paste: adds richness and a deeper, savory taste.
- Lime zest and lime juice: brighten the dish and balance the flavors with fresh acidity.
- Chili powder, ground paprika, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper: give the stir-fry flavor and a gentle heat without extra sodium.
- Salt: used sparingly to enhance and balance the flavors.
- Cooking oil: ensures even cooking and prevents sticking.
How to Make Ground Chicken Stir-Fry:
Cook the ground chicken:
Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the ground chicken to the pan, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Cook until no longer pink. Transfer to a plate.
Sauté the vegetables:
Add the chopped onion and carrot, cooking until soft and slightly golden for about 2 minutes. Stir in the chopped bell pepper and cook until just tender but still crisp. Then add the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
ADD tomato paste and spices:
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan, add chili powder, paprika, cumin, and cayenne, and stir until the meat and vegetables are evenly coated.
Add Lime
Mix in lime zest and fresh lime juice to brighten the flavors. Taste and add a small amount of salt or extra spices if needed. Enjoy immediately with rice, noodles, or on its own for a quick, flavorful meal.
Tips and Variations:
- Add different vegetables like zucchini, corn, peas, or broccoli for extra color and nutrition.
- Swap chili powder for paprika or red pepper flakes if you prefer a different kind of heat. Taco seasoning can also be used, but you should reduce the amount slightly. Start with about one teaspoon, since most commercial taco seasonings are high in sodium.
- Turn it into a low-carb meal by serving over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
- Add herbs like green onions or cilantro for extra freshness before serving.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
If you have leftovers, this ground chicken stir fry stores very well. Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It makes a great ground chicken meal prep recipe for busy weeks.
To reheat, warm the stir fry in a skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally until heated through. You can also microwave it for a quick meal. If the stir fry seems a little dry after storing, add a small splash of water or broth while reheating. This helps keep the ground chicken and bell pepper stir fry moist and flavorful.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Ground Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ yellow onion (diced)
- 1 carrot (diced)
- ½ red bell pepper (diced)
- ½ green bell pepper (diced)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 lime (both zest and juice)
Method
- Cook chicken: Heat half of the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until no longer pink. Transfer to a plate.
- Sauté vegetables: Remove excess grease from pan. Heat the remaining oil over medium heat. Add onion and carrot to the pan; cook about 2 minutes until softened. Stir in bell pepper and cook until just tender. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Season: Stir in tomato paste and cook 2 minutes. Return chicken to the pan and add chili powder, paprika, cumin, cayenne, and salt. Mix well for 3 minutes.
- Finish: Add lime zest and lime juice. Stir for 30 seconds. Taste and adjust salt or spices as needed.
Rika says
I love how this easy ground chicken stir fry comes together in just one pan. The Tex Mex spices make it so flavorful, and it's perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. I always enjoy it with rice or in lettuce wraps!
Ardie Davis says
I Love Everything Mexican cuisine; however, way too much chili powder! I love how easy this recipe is.. I will try it again, but I will tweak it.. cut the chili powder to 2 tsp.. cut back the cumin to accommodate the measurements for recipe. I had to add 1/4 tsp cinnamon and a pinch of brown sugar.. and I love spicy food! It wasn’t too spicy but chili powder was so powerful, it took my breath away!
Rika says
Thank you so much for trying the recipe and for sharing your thoughtful feedback, Ardie! Chili powder blends can definitely vary in strength, so I appreciate you mentioning that. I'm glad you found a balance that worked for your taste, and I hope you enjoy it even more the next time you make it!