This firecracker chicken recipe is chunks of crispy chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce. An easy dinner option that the whole family will love!
I am a big fan of Asian food, I have a ton of recipes on my site for everything from broccoli beef to chicken chow mein. 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.
Tips for achieving crispy firecracker chicken
The chicken in this recipe is dipped in egg and cornstarch, which forms a crust on the chicken when it hits the oil. The best way to get a browned and ultra crispy crust is to start with a very hot pan – crank up the heat! The next trick is to be sure that the chicken isn’t crowded in the pan. If the chicken pieces are too close together, they’ll steam instead of brown. You may need to brown the chicken in batches, but it’s totally worth it.
After the chicken pieces are browned, the sauce is poured over the top and the whole thing goes into the oven. The cornstarch in the chicken coating will help to thicken the sauce as it bakes. This is a spicy dish, so if you’re heat adverse, beware! If you’d like to turn down the heat, you can omit the red pepper flakes. I like to serve this firecracker chicken over rice, but it’s also nice over Asian rice noodles or chow mein noodles.
I love being able to make my own take out favorites at home – it’s cheaper, healthier and often tastes better!
You’ll love these other Asian food recipes
Firecracker Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs beaten
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup buffalo hot sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or more to taste
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9"x13" pan with cooking spray.
- Place the chicken pieces on a plate and season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
- Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten eggs.
- Heat the oil over high heat in a large pan. Place the chicken in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. You may have to work in batches.
- Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the 9"x13" pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the buffalo sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar and red pepper flakes.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken. Bake for 35 minutes, stirring once halfway through to coat the chicken with the sauce. Top with green onions and serve.
Soumyadip says
It’s an awesome dish i had made it yesterday night, but i serve it with Roti. Even with roti it is so awesome.
Greg G says
Most reviews say this recipe ‘looks, sounds’ delicious so I thought I would comment since I just prepared it. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed your spicy hot concoction! Some may want to reduce the red pepper flakes, increase the rice vinegar (since it is a taste sensation). I thought the sauce insufficient to really coat the chicken maybe bump up a couple ingredients. Finally, if cooking in batches, one may want to add more oil between sessions. Wonderful entree!
Sara says
So glad to hear you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!
Lea says
What kind of buffalo sauce is best to use?? I plan to make this today and would like to know wich works best.
Sara says
I always use Frank’s Red Hot!
Eric says
Definitely a family favorite now. So good and easy to make.
Sara says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Nichola says
Hi
This looks lovely, i like to plan ahead and prepare my meals and freeze for the following week.
Is this dish freezable?
Thank you in advance.
Sara says
This is not a great candidate for the freezer because the breading will get soggy when thawed.
Erica says
Just to clarify, you fry the chicken pieces and then bake 30 minutes with sauce? Just wondering if the chicken gets dry? I really want to make this tonight! Sauce sounds amazing! TIA
Sara says
Yes that is correct. Baking the chicken cooks it through and also thickens the sauce so it clings to the meat. Hope that helps!
autumn says
this recipe was super easy and has easily became a favorite of ours! i did add a tbl of soy sauce and a dash of hot sauce.
Sara says
So glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Kathryn Ostermeier says
I love this recipe! I’ve made it two times. I double the sauce (because it is delicious) and double the red pepper. I top with green onions and sesame seeds and serve it over jasmine rice.
Lillian Polley says
Recipe sounds great. Should the chicken pieces be dipped again in cornstarch after putting it into the egg mixture?
Sara says
Nope they just get dipped once!
Jess says
This recipe is awesome! Thanks for a great dinner!
Brittni says
Can you recommend a specific buffalo hot sauce to use? Thanks!
Sara says
I use Frank’s!
Christine Potter says
What is buffalo hot sauce. In Australia we don’t have this. Do you have a recipe on how to make your own? What about a substitute?
Sara says
Any hot sauce will work!
Ava says
This looks beyond delicious !!
I just fall in love with its name “firecracker chicken” and look.
I want to make this ASAP for my family.
Scarlet at Family Food says
My husband will just love this recipe. He love spicy stuff. I love rice wine vinegar in recipes too- it is just a kind of sweet and sour that I love. I think I will make this for him for Valentine’s day!
Karly says
YUM! This looks incredible. So simple, yet so bold and flavorful- definitely packs a punch!
Bea says
I must try this this week! I know my husband will love it!
Debbie says
This looks so amazing! I just love Asian style chicken and I add a few more crushed red pepper flakes as we enjoy it spicy!
lindalva says
Essa receita chamou a minha atenção,nunca tinha visto uma receita de frango como essa, tem uma cor maravilhosa e muito apetitosa, Adorei porque além de fácil de fazer é adequada a vida corrida que tenho.
Kiwi says
I pinned this instantly. I love this and cant wait to recreate this!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This looks seriously amazing! I need to try this ASAP!
Farrah says
Aughh, this looks so good! I’ve never tried making it at home before, but have been craving it lately–thanks for this recipe! :D!
Alessandra Lim says
This looks like an awesome recipe idea. I love Asian food too, and so is everyone in my family. We enjoy Mongolian Beef, Orange Chicken, and General Tso’s Chicken. I have to try this Firecracker Chicken too. Looks easy enough to make!
Veronica Vilora Solomon says
My son would love this! And I must say how delicious it looks
Tonya says
The Firecracker Chicken sounds amazing. I can almost taste it now. I have a feeling I’ll really like that crunchy crust.
Pam says
This sounds so good. I love my food with a little kick to it and this sounds perfect.
Carol Cassara says
This looks amazing! I love the mix of flavors and I’m sure it tastes amazing. I’d love to make this for my husband and I one of these days. Thanks so much for the recipe.
Theresa says
Nom! I love that this is baked and not fried. I am trying to find healthier meal options for my husband, who is trying to lose weight, and I know that this is a recipe that he will enjoy!
Bill Sweeney says
BOOM! That looks so good. Whenever I order takeout, I get something hot. This is the kind of dish that really hits the spot for me.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Firecracker chicken sounds so amazing! I love adding heat to my dishes, and I love takeout. This is perfect!
Catherine Sargent says
This Firecracker chicken looks so good. I am always looking for new dinner ideas. Thanks for sharing the recipe.