Name: Firecracker Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Asian
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

There's something incredibly satisfying about a dish that combines fiery heat with a touch of sweetness—this Firecracker Chicken Recipe is exactly that. It’s crispy, saucy, and packed with flavor, making it a dinner that’s both comforting and exciting to eat.

The image shows a close-up of a pan filled with multiple golden-brown fried nuggets covered in a shiny orange glaze. Each nugget has a crispy texture and is topped with small pieces of fresh green onion scattered evenly across them. The nuggets have a slight sheen from the sticky glaze, which looks thick and rich, adding a glossy finish. The pan is silver-colored, and the background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Firecracker Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Firecracker Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Firecracker Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can't get enough of how this Firecracker Chicken Recipe turns basic ingredients into something so memorable. The combination of crispy chicken and a tangy, spicy-sweet sauce keeps me reaching for seconds every time.

Simple Ingredients: Uses straightforward pantry staples that come together in a snap without sacrificing flavor.
Crispy and Saucy: The chicken gets a perfect crunchy coating before being baked in an irresistible sauce.
Adjustable Heat Level: You can easily dial up or tone down the spice to suit your taste or family preferences.
Great for Any Occasion: Whether it's weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, this dish always impresses with minimal fuss.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient plays a role in building layers of flavor and texture here—think crispy chicken meets a sauce that’s sweet, tangy, and packs a pleasant punch. Let’s break down why these goodies make this recipe shine.

Flat lay of fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of cornstarch, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl of bright orange buffalo hot sauce, a small white bowl of packed brown sugar, a small white bowl of clear rice vinegar, a small white bowl with red pepper flakes, a few fresh green onion sprigs sliced and arranged on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl filled with golden vegetable oil, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless cut into bite-sized pieces cooks quickly and soaks up the sauce beautifully.
Salt and pepper: Enhance the chicken’s natural flavor—don’t skip seasoning before coating!
Cornstarch: Creates that irresistible crispy exterior when fried, sealing in juiciness.
Eggs: Help the cornstarch adhere to the chicken for even frying.
Vegetable oil: Neutral oil perfect for high-heat frying without overpowering flavor.
Buffalo hot sauce: Brings that tangy, spicy buffalo wing vibe that’s key to the “firecracker” effect.
Brown sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to balance the heat and tanginess in the sauce.
Rice vinegar: Gives the sauce a gentle acidity that brightens the dish.
Red pepper flakes: Add extra heat and a nice texture contrast; you can always adjust amount based on your spice tolerance.
Sliced green onions: Sprinkle on top for fresh, crisp, mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
Cooking spray: Helps prevent sticking in your baking dish and cuts back on extra oil.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I often play with the heat level or swap out sauces to keep things exciting depending on who's at the table. Don't hesitate to adjust! Personalizing this Firecracker Chicken Recipe is half the fun.

Variation: I’ve tried tossing the chicken in a mix of sriracha and honey in place of buffalo sauce for a different, but equally tasty, spicy-sweet kick.
Dietary modification: For a gluten-free version, I swap cornstarch with arrowroot powder and ensure your hot sauce is gluten-free.
Make it milder: Cut back on the red pepper flakes and use a mild hot sauce if you want to tone down the spice but still keep the flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Firecracker Chicken Recipe

A black plate holds a bed of white rice topped with several large pieces of golden-brown chicken covered in a thick, glossy orange sauce with small green chili slices scattered on top. A pair of dark red chopsticks lifts one saucy chicken piece above the plate. In the blurred background, a wooden bowl filled with red chili flakes sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and Coat the Chicken

First, cut the chicken into uniform 1-inch pieces so they'll cook evenly. Season well with salt and pepper right onto the raw chicken to boost flavor up front. Then sprinkle the cornstarch over and toss until every piece is coated. Dipping the chicken in beaten eggs next helps the cornstarch stick really well, which means a delightfully crispy crust after frying.

Step 2: Get That Golden Crisp

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over high heat—you want it hot, but not smoking. Fry the chicken in batches so nothing gets overcrowded, cooking each side for about 3 to 4 minutes until gorgeously golden and crispy. This step creates the magic texture that contrasts perfectly with the sauce.

Step 3: Whip Up the Firecracker Sauce

While chicken browns, whisk together buffalo hot sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. This sauce strikes that harmonious balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy you want for Firecracker Chicken—trust me, the sugar balances the heat beautifully.

Step 4: Bake It All Together

Place the fried chicken in a single layer in a baking dish sprayed lightly with cooking spray. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken pieces and bake at 350°F for 35 minutes. Stir halfway through to make sure every bite gets coated and absorbs that fantastic sauce. When it’s done, sprinkle sliced green onions on top for freshness and color.

Top Tip

From countless times making this Firecracker Chicken Recipe, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make the difference between good and unforgettable.

Double Coat for Extra Crispiness: If you really crave that deep crunch, dip the chicken back into the egg and cornstarch once more before frying.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cooking the chicken in batches keeps the oil temperature steady, avoiding soggy pieces.
Bake With Sauce, Not Just Toss: Baking marinates the chicken in the sauce, intensifying flavor while keeping crisply textured bites.
Use Fresh Green Onions: Their bright, fresh bite contrasts beautifully with the rich sauce so always add them at the end.

How to Serve Firecracker Chicken Recipe

firecracker chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this dish with freshly sliced green onions for the crunch and pop of bright flavor. Sometimes, I add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or a squeeze of lime juice to brighten it up even more—it’s an easy way to add a little zing.

Side Dishes

This Firecracker Chicken Recipe pairs brilliantly with fluffy steamed rice or even cauliflower rice for a lighter option. Crunchy veggies like roasted broccoli or a simple cucumber salad balance the heat and richness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to serve the chicken on skewers with a little extra sauce on the side for dipping—everyone loves finger food! You can also transform leftovers into a spicy chicken sandwich with crisp lettuce and mayo for lunch the next day.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Firecracker Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce soaks in even more overnight, but the chicken can lose a bit of crispiness — reheat carefully to bring back some crunch.

Freezing

Freezing works fine but I recommend freezing the chicken and sauce separately if you can for best texture. Just thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat gently.

Reheating

To revive leftovers, I pop the chicken on a baking sheet in a preheated 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes to crisp it up, then drizzle the sauce over or briefly reheat the sauce separately and toss together.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this Firecracker Chicken Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs add extra juiciness and flavor. Just cut them into similar sized pieces and follow the same cooking method.

How spicy is the Firecracker Chicken Recipe?

The heat mostly comes from the buffalo sauce and red pepper flakes—it's moderately spicy but easy to adjust. Reduce or omit the red pepper flakes for a milder version.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Just substitute the cornstarch with a gluten-free thickener like arrowroot powder and ensure your hot sauce is labeled gluten-free.

What’s the best way to get the chicken crispy?

Make sure your oil is hot enough before frying and don’t overcrowd the pan. Also, coating the chicken well with cornstarch and egg forms that delicious crust. Baking afterwards with the sauce won’t make it soggy if done right.

Final Thoughts

This Firecracker Chicken Recipe has become one of those dishes I turn to when I want to impress but keep things easy. There’s something magic about that perfect balance of crispy chicken drowned in a spicy-sweet sauce that just feels like a party in your mouth. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do, and remember—you can always tweak it to make it your own signature dish. Give it a try, and I bet it’ll quickly become a favorite in your kitchen too.