This baked firecracker chicken recipe has crispy chicken bites covered in a hot sauce that is also sweet and sour. I love to serve the saucy chicken over rice for an easy weeknight dinner.
If you’ve tried my firecracker salmon, firecracker shrimp, or firecracker meatballs, you know how seriously addictive that sauce can be. I recently tried putting it through some crispy chicken and I think I found my new favorite way to eat it.
The chicken is incredibly crispy (and stays that way!) and the firecracker sauce has the perfect balance of heat, tanginess, and sweetness. It’s become my family’s most requested dinner. Table of Contents.
Firecracker chicken breast is a spicy and tasty take on a classic chicken dish. With its sweet, spicy, and sour tastes, each bite packs a punch that makes you think of real firecrackers going off. This mix of Chinese and American food is now a standard menu item at Chinese restaurants all over the United States. So, what is firecracker chicken breast, and how did it become so popular? Let’s look at the history, ingredients, and how to make this delicious meal at home.
A Brief History of Firecracker Chicken Breast
Its exact roots are unknown, but firecracker chicken breast is thought to have come from the Hunan province in China. Hunan food is famous for its bold, spicy flavors, and firecracker chicken is a great example of that. The name comes from the way the dish makes you feel, with alternating notes of sweet, sour, and spicy making you think of fireworks.
Chinese immigrants likely introduced the dish to America where it was tweaked and popularized for American tastes. The trademark sweet and sticky sauce was developed using ingredients more readily available in the US. Over time it became a staple menu item at Chinese-American restaurants and takeouts across the country.
Understanding the Quintessential Ingredients
An explosion of exciting flavors and textures come together to create authentic firecracker chicken breast. Here are the key ingredients
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Chicken breast – Boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes provides a neutral canvas for the sauce. Chicken thigh or tenders also work well.
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Cornstarch – Dredging the chicken pieces in cornstarch before frying creates a crispy, delicate coating.
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Eggs – Helps the cornstarch adhere to the chicken when dredging.
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For frying the chicken until golden brown, you’ll need peanut, vegetable, or canola oil.
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Chili sauce – Sriracha, sambal oelek, and garlic chili sauce pack heat and chili flavor.
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Sweet glaze: Soy sauce, honey or molasses, vinegar, and sugar work together to make a sticky, sweet glaze.
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Seasonings – Garlic, ginger, sesame oil, white pepper, etc. add aromatic flavor.
The specific amounts of each ingredient can be adjusted to suit different levels of spice tolerance and sweetness preferences.
Step-By-Step Guide to Making Firecracker Chicken at Home
With the right technique, you can easily recreate this takeout favorite at home:
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Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes and season with salt and pepper.
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Coat chicken in cornstarch, egg wash, then back into cornstarch for a crispy coating.
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Deep fry coated chicken in 350°F oil for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
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Drain chicken on paper towel-lined plate.
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Make chili sauce by combining sriracha, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and other seasonings.
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Make sweet glaze by mixing sugar, vinegar, honey, and soy sauce.
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Toss fried chicken in chili sauce until evenly coated.
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Toss sauced chicken in sweet glaze to coat.
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Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds to serve.
The finished product is crunchy, saucy chicken bursting with sweet and spicy flavors in every piece!
Cooking Tips and Variations
- Marinate chicken in sauce ingredients for added flavor.
- Use chicken thigh or breast tenders for uniform pieces.
- Fry in smaller batches to prevent sticking.
- Let chicken rest before tossing in sauce to allow coating to set.
- Play with the glaze and sauce ingredients to adjust spice level and sweetness.
- Try with shrimp, tofu, or cauliflower for a vegetarian/vegan option.
- Serve over rice or noodles.
- Garnish with crushed peanuts or fresh cilantro.
The possibilities are endless when crafting your own firecracker chicken recipe!
Why People Love Firecracker Chicken Breast
There are many reasons this explosive chicken dish has become so popular:
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Bursting with flavor – The sweet and spicy sauce packs a flavor punch in every bite.
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Crunchy and juicy textures – Crispy exterior with tender, juicy chicken inside.
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Customizable – Easy to adjust spice level and flavors to your taste.
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Satisfying – Chicken provides protein while the sauce coats each piece.
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Easy to make – Simple ingredients and preparation with foolproof technique.
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Fun to eat – Saucy chicken you can grab with your fingers.
Firecracker chicken breast is the perfect weeknight meal or fun dinner party dish that’s sure to satisfy your craving for flavor. The combination of crunchy, juicy chicken smothered in a sweet and spicy glaze is downright addictive. Give this Chinese-American classic a try and experience the fireworks of flavor for yourself!
How to make firecracker chicken
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1- Coat. Season the chicken breast pieces, then coat them in the eggs and cornstarch.
Step 2- Sear. Pan-fry the chicken bites in a skillet until they’re golden brown.
Step 3- Make the sauce. Stir the sauce ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
Step 4- Bake. Transfer the chicken to the baking dish with the firecracker sauce. Cover, then bake until it’s browned around the edges.
- Cut into even pieces. Slice the chicken breasts into even bite-sized pieces. The more consistent the shape, the more evenly they’ll cook.
- Use paper towels to pat the chicken breasts dry before you add the spices. It will be easier for the salt, pepper, and cornstarch to stick to the meat this way.
- Make it in a cast iron skillet. Save time by cooking and baking the chicken in a cast-iron or oven-safe skillet.
To store. Transfer the leftover chicken to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
To reheat: Warm the chicken bites in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat until they’re heated through and slightly crisp again. You can also reheat the leftovers in a microwave but the chicken won’t be as crispy.
Yes, you can easily stir the sauce together up to 1 week ahead of making this recipe. Just keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge until it’s time to cook.
Why I love this recipe
- Bold, irresistible flavors. Firecracker sauce is all about the spice. It has the right amount of heat to make you want more, just like Szechuan chicken.
- Crispy chicken (without deep frying). Pan-searing and baking result in golden, juicy chicken every time. No messy deep frying or excess oil included!.
- Quick and easy. Any beginner home cook will find it easy to make. Just ask my sister.
- Firecracker chicken bites can be a fun snack or appetizer served with ranch dressing. For dinner, they can be piled on top of rice or wrapped in a tortilla.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“This was the BEST firecracker chicken recipe I’ve ever made! So crispy, flavorful, and just the right amount of spice. ” – Ally.
- Chicken breasts. For this recipe, chicken breasts that don’t have bones or skin are cut into small pieces. You can also use chicken tenderloins or chopped chicken tenders.
- Salt and pepper. Add a lot of salt and pepper to the chicken before cooking it.
- Eggs and cornstarch. For the breading.
- Oil. Use a high-heat oil, like olive oil or avocado oil.
For the firecracker sauce:
- Buffalo sauce. This is where the buttery, spicy, and rich flavor and texture of Firecracker Sauce come from. Use any store-bought buffalo sauce you like.
- Brown sugar. The sweetness helps balance the fiery flavors.
- Soy sauce. Or use tamari if you’re gluten-free.
- Olive oil. To help emulsify the sauce.
- Ginger, garlic, pepper, and paprika. To add more flavor to the sauce.
- Rice vinegar. Or you can use apple cider vinegar.
Firecracker Chicken Recipe!
FAQ
What is Firecracker chicken?
Firecracker chicken, as the name suggests, is a spicy chicken dish. Okay cool. We’ve covered the real need-to-knows there. 1) Spicy 2) Chicken. But really this tres takeout-esque recipe is more than that. I mean, come for the spice but stay for the crack-like addictive quality of the sugar. Yes, sugar.
Is Firecracker Chicken Spicy?
Firecracker chicken is an Asian-inspired dish that’s sure to curb those takeout cravings. It’s really crunchy and spicy—okay, it’s really spicy—but there’s also some sweetness in it, so it doesn’t just blow your head off. Either way, it’s a must-make!.
Is Firecracker chicken a Chinese stir-fry?
Sweet and spicy firecracker chicken made at home is faster than delivery. I’m not sure that you’ll find anything exactly like this Firecracker Chicken if you actually travel to China. Yes, this is an Americanized version of Chinese stir-fry! You can find it on many popular Chinese take-out menus, and for good reason: it tastes great!
How do you eat Firecracker chicken?
Serve the chicken in a tortilla with pickled red onion, shredded cabbage, and shredded carrots. Drizzle a bit of lime on top, and HOLY YUM! Firecracker chicken is like a flavor explosion in your mouth! It’s spicy, juicy, meaty, and to die for. Make it tonight, and it’ll become your new fave.
How do you cook Firecracker chicken?
Firecracker chicken is like a flavor explosion in your mouth! It’s spicy, juicy, meaty, and to die for. Make it tonight, and it’ll become your new fave. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C) and coat a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray. Add cornstarch, ginger, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of salt to a large freezer bag and shake to combine.
How to make a firecracker sauce?
1. First, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Then season it with salt and pepper and set it aside to marinate it for 20 minutes. 2. In a small bowl, mix together the chili sauce, sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and two tablespoons of water to make the firecracker sauce. 3. Mix half the egg white with the marinated chicken.
What is a firecracker chicken?
What Is Firecracker Chicken? Firecracker chicken is lightly fried on the stovetop and then baked with a simple spicy sauce, typically made with a mix of buffalo sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar.
What does firecracker sauce taste like?
It’s not just hot—it’s balanced. We combine chilli, garlic, soy, and a hint of sweetness to create a sauce that kicks in all the right ways. The heat hits first, but it’s followed by deep, umami-rich notes that keep you coming back for more. It’s spicy, it’s savoury, it’s slightly sticky—and it works on everything.
Is firecracker chicken spicy to eat?
Firecracker Chicken has a kick of heat from the buffalo sauce, so if you are sensitive to spicy food, you may want to try my General Tso’s Chicken or Peanut Butter Chicken recipe instead. This recipe also includes an optional addition of chili powder which makes it spicier, but can be omitted.
Is the firecracker chicken good?
This firecracker chicken is the latest recipe to add to the collection. It’s crispy, sweet, spicy and utterly delicious! This chicken is not deep fried, but is browned until crisp, then covered in sauce and baked to perfection.