This Chinese Ground Chicken Bowl is a quick, flavorful, and healthier twist on the classic Taiwanese Lu Rou Fan (minced pork rice bowl). With savory soy-based sauce, ginger, garlic, five spice, and umami-packed mushrooms, it’s perfect for busy weeknights. Pair it with rice or noodles, steamed veggies, and an egg for a well-rounded and deeply satisfying meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

8 dried shiitake mushrooms
1 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
½ thumb ginger, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb (450 g) ground chicken (or pork, beef, or turkey)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon sesame oil

Sauce Mix:

¼ cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
1½ teaspoons sugar
½ teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
Pinch of salt

Serving Suggestions:

Steamed rice or noodles
Steamed vegetables (baby bok choy, broccoli, etc.)
Fried or marinated eggs
Sliced green onions (for garnish)

Directions

Prep the Mushrooms: Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in hot water for 15 minutes. Drain, rinse, squeeze dry, remove stems, and mince.
Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine chicken broth, both soy sauces, Shaoxing wine, sugar, five spice powder, and salt. Set aside.
Cook Aromatics: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add ginger and garlic, stir until fragrant.
Brown Chicken: Add ground chicken, spread out, and sear undisturbed for 2 minutes. Stir and cook through.
Add Mushrooms: Mix in minced mushrooms and cook for 1 minute.
Add Sauce: Pour in sauce mix and simmer 5 minutes, until absorbed.
Thicken Sauce: Stir cornstarch with water until dissolved. Add to pan and stir until sauce thickens.
Finish & Serve: Drizzle with sesame oil, adjust seasoning if needed. Serve over rice or noodles with vegetables and egg. Garnish with green onions.

Nutrients

Per Serving (without rice, egg, or vegetables):

Calories: 205 kcal
Protein: 28.7g
Carbohydrates: 7.3g
Fat: 6.6g
Saturated Fat: 1.4g
Cholesterol: 67mg
Sodium: 508mg
Potassium: 415mg
Fiber: 0.7g
Sugar: 4.3g
Calcium: 18mg
Iron: 3mg

A Modern Take on Lu Rou Fan

Lu Rou Fan is a traditional Taiwanese pork dish, slow-cooked with soy sauce, sugar, rice wine, and aromatics until the meat becomes tender and flavorful. While it’s comforting and delicious, it can be time-intensive. This modern variation simplifies the process by using ground chicken, which cooks quickly while still soaking up all the bold seasonings.

Using ground chicken instead of fatty pork also makes this version a bit lighter while still satisfying those same cravings for deep, umami-rich flavor. The addition of dried shiitake mushrooms adds another layer of richness and texture, mimicking the earthiness of slow-braised meats and contributing to that authentic feel.

Flavor and Texture Profile

This ground chicken bowl is a flavor explosion balanced with texture and aroma. The aromatics—ginger and garlic—lay the foundation with warm, spicy notes. The mushrooms bring earthy depth, while the soy sauces (both light and dark) offer saltiness and color. Shaoxing wine adds a touch of complexity with a subtly sweet finish, and five-spice powder delivers that classic Chinese warmth with hints of star anise, clove, and cinnamon.

The ground chicken stays juicy yet forms slightly crispy edges if seared properly, adding texture. The sauce clings to each bite, and a final drizzle of sesame oil imparts nutty richness. Served over fluffy rice or noodles and paired with crunchy vegetables and a soft egg, this dish becomes a complete sensory experience.

Why This Recipe Works

This dish works beautifully because it combines quick-cooking protein with a high-impact sauce. The use of dried shiitake mushrooms adds depth without requiring meat bones or lengthy simmering, and the ground chicken absorbs the sauce quickly and evenly. It’s also highly adaptable—you can tweak spice levels, use different ground meats, or load it up with extra vegetables depending on what you have on hand.

The cornstarch slurry ensures the sauce thickens just enough to coat every bite without becoming gloopy. The sesame oil added at the end enhances aroma without cooking off its delicate flavor.

This is a recipe that’s both efficient and flavorful—perfect for anyone looking for quick comfort food that doesn’t compromise on taste.

Health and Nutritional Benefits

Using ground chicken instead of pork reduces the saturated fat content while still delivering plenty of satisfying protein. Each serving is relatively low in calories (around 205 kcal without rice or extras), yet it’s packed with over 28g of protein—ideal for muscle support and satiety.

Shiitake mushrooms are not only delicious but also nutrient-rich, offering fiber, B vitamins, and compounds that support immune health. The sauce ingredients—though bold in flavor—are used sparingly, so the sodium stays moderate. You can further reduce salt by using low-sodium soy sauce and broth.

Served with steamed vegetables and a soft-boiled egg, the bowl becomes a well-rounded meal rich in vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and satisfying fiber.

Versatile Serving Ideas

The beauty of this Chinese Ground Chicken Bowl lies in its flexibility. It’s designed to be served over rice (white or brown), but it works just as well over:

Steamed jasmine rice for classic comfort
Brown rice for extra fiber and heartiness
Fried rice for a fun, indulgent variation
Lo mein or ramen noodles for slurp-worthy satisfaction
Cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative
You can top your bowl with steamed bok choy, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), sautéed spinach, or stir-fried snow peas. Add a soft-boiled or jammy egg, and you’ve got a balanced meal with color, texture, and flavor.

Sprinkle chopped scallions or toasted sesame seeds on top for extra freshness and crunch.

Tips for Success

Soak the dried mushrooms early—they need about 15 minutes in hot water. Once softened, give them a quick rinse and squeeze to remove excess liquid.
Use high heat when cooking the ground chicken. Let it sear undisturbed for a couple of minutes to develop flavor and browning before stirring.
Don’t skip the five-spice powder—it’s a key component of the flavor profile. Use it sparingly, though, as it’s quite potent.
Taste the sauce before finishing and adjust salt, sugar, or spice as needed to suit your preference.
If you’re planning to meal prep, store the chicken and sauce separately from the rice to prevent sogginess.

Make-Ahead and Meal Prep Friendly

This recipe is ideal for meal prep. The ground chicken mixture can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. It also freezes well—simply reheat in a skillet or microwave and serve over fresh rice or noodles.

Pre-steam your vegetables and soft-boil a few eggs ahead of time, and you’ll have a satisfying, restaurant-quality lunch ready in minutes. It’s a great option for weekday lunches or quick dinners that don’t feel like leftovers.

Variations and Substitutions

Swap out ground chicken for ground pork, beef, or turkey.
Use fresh mushrooms like cremini or shiitake if you don’t have dried—just sauté them briefly before adding the meat.
Add chopped onions, shredded carrots, or baby spinach for extra vegetables.
To make it vegetarian, use plant-based ground meat or finely chopped tofu, and substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
Want more heat? Add a pinch of chili flakes or drizzle with chili oil just before serving.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you love fast, flavorful meals that feel like comfort food but don’t require hours in the kitchen, this Chinese Ground Chicken Bowl will become a staple. It’s bold yet balanced, hearty yet healthy, and endlessly customizable. Every element of this recipe—from the aroma of garlic and ginger sizzling in the pan to the thick, glossy sauce—brings satisfaction with every bite.

It’s the perfect dinner solution when you want to eat well without fuss, and it reheats beautifully for leftovers, making it as practical as it is delicious.

Conclusion

This Chinese Ground Chicken Bowl is the ideal marriage of speed, flavor, and comfort. Inspired by Taiwanese Lu Rou Fan, it offers the same savory-sweet richness and aromatic depth in a much quicker, lighter form. Whether you’re craving takeout vibes, doing weeknight meal prep, or simply trying to use what’s in your fridge, this dish checks all the boxes.

Packed with protein, loaded with umami, and easy to adapt, it’s a one-pan wonder that’s sure to land on repeat in your kitchen. Serve it hot, top it with your favorite veggies and egg, and enjoy a satisfying, flavorful meal—ready in under 30 minutes.