Firecracker Chicken

Sweet, Spicy, and Addictively Delicious!

If you love bold, explosive flavors that dance on your taste buds, then Firecracker Chicken is about to become your next favorite dish. This sweet, spicy, and sticky chicken recipe brings together crispy, juicy bites of chicken coated in a fiery sauce that’s perfectly balanced with sweetness — it’s like takeout, but better!

Whether you’re craving a quick weeknight meal, meal-prep option, or game-day showstopper, this dish delivers every time. The firecracker sauce packs a punch, but it’s also beautifully rounded out with brown sugar, garlic, and vinegar for that irresistible sweet-heat flavor combo.

Get ready to fall in love with this restaurant-quality Firecracker Chicken that’s super easy to make at home!

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What Is Firecracker Chicken? 🌶️

Firecracker Chicken is a popular Asian-inspired dish known for its crispy chicken pieces tossed in a bold, sweet-and-spicy glaze. The sauce typically combines hot sauce, brown sugar, and vinegar, giving it that signature fiery kick with just the right amount of sweetness.

It’s similar to sweet and sour chicken — but with a spicy twist. The “firecracker” name comes from the explosive flavor and vibrant red color of the sauce.

This dish is usually baked or pan-fried, then tossed in a sticky glaze that clings beautifully to every piece. It’s perfect served over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️

• 🔥 Sweet, Spicy, and Savory: The ultimate trifecta of flavor.
• 🍗 Crispy Outside, Juicy Inside: Perfectly coated chicken bites that stay tender.
• 🍯 Easy to Make: Uses pantry ingredients and minimal prep time.
• 🍚 Perfect with Rice: That sauce soaks right in — every bite is heavenly.
• 🥢 Better Than Takeout: Healthier, fresher, and faster than delivery!

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Ingredients You’ll Need 🛒

For the Chicken:

• 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-size cubes)
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Firecracker Sauce:

• ½ cup hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot or sriracha work great)
• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
• ¼ teaspoon salt

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How to Make Firecracker Chicken 🍳

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized cubes and season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Coat each piece first in cornstarch, then dip into the beaten eggs.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Cook the chicken pieces until golden brown on all sides (about 3–4 minutes per side).
5. Transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

💡 Tip: The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked yet — it will finish baking in the oven with the sauce.

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Step 2: Make the Firecracker Sauce

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the hot sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
2. Taste and adjust — add more sugar for sweetness or more hot sauce for heat.
3. The sauce should be thick, glossy, and fiery red.

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Step 3: Combine and Bake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Place the browned chicken into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Pour the firecracker sauce evenly over the top, tossing to coat.
4. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even coating.

When it’s done, the sauce will be sticky, bubbly, and beautifully caramelized — coating every piece of chicken perfectly.

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Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the firecracker chicken over steamed white rice, jasmine rice, or noodles.
Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for that restaurant-quality finish.

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Pro Tips for the Perfect Firecracker Chicken 🔥

1. Adjust the Heat:
   • Want milder? Use half hot sauce or add honey.
   • Want spicier? Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of chili paste.
2. Crispy Texture:
   • Use cornstarch, not flour, for a crispier coating.
   • Don’t overcrowd the pan while frying — give the chicken room to crisp.
3. Make It Healthier:
   • Skip the frying and bake the coated chicken at 400°F for 20 minutes before adding the sauce.
4. For Extra Flavor:
   • Marinate the chicken in a little soy sauce and garlic for 15 minutes before coating.

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What to Serve With Firecracker Chicken 🍚

This dish pairs beautifully with a range of sides that balance its bold, spicy flavor.

🍚 Starch Sides:

• Steamed jasmine or basmati rice
• Fried rice or garlic butter rice
• Rice noodles or soba noodles

🥦 Veggie Sides:

• Steamed broccoli or snow peas
• Roasted green beans or asparagus
• Asian cucumber salad

🍞 Other Favorites:

• Egg rolls or spring rolls
• Garlic sesame noodles
• Stir-fried veggies

🥢 Pro Tip: Drizzle any leftover sauce over your rice or veggies — it’s too good to waste!

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Make-Ahead and Storage Tips 🕒

To Store:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To Reheat:

• Warm in the microwave or in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

To Freeze:

• Freeze cooled firecracker chicken in freezer bags for up to 2 months.
• Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Variations to Try 🍴

🥢 Firecracker Chicken Bowls

Serve the chicken over rice or quinoa with fresh veggies like bell peppers, carrots, and cabbage for a healthy, balanced bowl.

🧄 Honey Garlic Firecracker Chicken

Swap half the brown sugar for honey and add minced garlic for a sweet-and-sticky variation.

🥦 Firecracker Chicken Stir-Fry

Add stir-fried vegetables directly into the pan for a one-skillet dinner packed with flavor and nutrients.

🥬 Firecracker Lettuce Wraps

Serve in lettuce cups with chopped peanuts and carrots for a lighter, low-carb option.

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Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Approximate)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	365
Protein	28g
Carbohydrates	24g
Fat	15g
Sodium	880mg
Sugar	18g

(Values may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.)

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Why This Recipe Works 💥

This Firecracker Chicken recipe nails that perfect balance between sweet, spicy, and tangy — it’s bold but not overwhelming. The sauce caramelizes beautifully in the oven, coating every crispy chicken piece in a sticky glaze that’s utterly addictive.

It’s the kind of dish that makes you want to lick the plate clean — sweet heat perfection in every bite.

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FAQs 🔥

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs stay extra juicy and flavorful.

2. Can I make this with shrimp or tofu?
Definitely. Both absorb the firecracker sauce beautifully — just adjust cooking times accordingly.

3. How spicy is Firecracker Chicken?
It’s moderately spicy. You can easily control the heat by adjusting the amount of hot sauce or red pepper flakes.

4. Can I air fry the chicken?
Yes — air fry coated chicken at 400°F for 12–14 minutes until crispy, then toss in the sauce.

5. What’s the best hot sauce to use?
Frank’s RedHot gives classic flavor, but Sriracha or buffalo sauce also works great depending on your spice preference.

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A Fiery Favorite You’ll Crave Again and Again 🔥

This Firecracker Chicken is everything you want in a homemade takeout dish — crispy, sticky, spicy, and absolutely bursting with flavor.

It’s the kind of meal that makes dinner exciting again — fiery, fast, and full of flair. Whether you’re feeding a family, meal prepping for the week, or impressing guests, this recipe never disappoints.

One bite, and you’ll understand why this dish is called Firecracker Chicken — it’s an explosion of flavor that will light up your dinner table!

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