Sesame Hoisin Ground Chicken (Printable)

Tender ground chicken with hoisin, snap peas, bell pepper, and sesame on linguine.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces linguine

→ Meats

02 - 1 pound ground chicken

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 1 cup snap peas, halved
05 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced (reserve some for garnish)
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated

→ Sauce

08 - 5 tablespoons hoisin sauce
09 - 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
10 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
11 - 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
12 - 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (optional)
13 - 1 tablespoon honey

→ Garnish

14 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
15 - Fresh cilantro or scallions (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine until al dente according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, chili garlic sauce if using, and honey until combined. Set aside.
03 - Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat with a splash of neutral oil. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking apart with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
04 - Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and most of the sliced green onions to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Stir in sliced red bell pepper and snap peas. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
06 - Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Toss well to coat evenly.
07 - Add cooked linguine to the skillet. Toss all ingredients together, adding reserved pasta water gradually to achieve a smooth, glossy coating.
08 - Remove from heat. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and reserved green onions or cilantro over the top. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 35 minutes flat, which means weeknight wins without the stress.
  • The hoisin-sesame sauce tastes like it took hours to develop, but it's honestly just a quick whisk away.
  • Ground chicken is forgiving and affordable, making this feel indulgent without the guilt.
  • It's naturally dairy-free, so you can serve it to almost anyone without worrying about dietary limits.
02 -
  • Don't overcook your vegetables; they should go from raw to just-tender in the last few minutes, otherwise they turn into mush and lose their whole purpose.
  • Reserve your pasta water before draining—this single step has saved more dishes than anything else because it turns a sticky pile of noodles into something silky and cohesive.
  • Taste the sauce before adding it to the pan; if it's not balanced on its own, it won't magically balance once it hits the chicken and noodles.
03 -
  • If your sauce seems too thick once it hits the pasta, use that reserved pasta water to loosen it; the starch helps it cling instead of sliding off.
  • Toast your own sesame seeds if you can; the difference between raw and toasted is enormous, and you'll actually smell it happening.
  • Ground turkey works beautifully as a swap if you want something leaner, though you'll lose a tiny bit of richness that chicken brings.
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