There’s something truly irresistible about the bold, spicy, and sweet flavors that come together in this Firecracker Chicken Recipe. It’s the kind of dish that lights up your taste buds and turns a simple chicken dinner into an exciting meal. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll be a staple in your rotation.

Chunks of golden-brown fried chicken pieces are covered in a shiny orange sauce with red chili flakes. The chicken pieces are scattered close together in a white pan. On top, fresh green chopped scallions add a pop of color and fresh texture. The scene is set against a white marbled background. 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’ve made this Firecracker Chicken recipe more times than I can count, and it never fails to wow. The balance between spicy buffalo sauce and sweet brown sugar has that perfect zing that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

Quick and Easy: You can whip this up on a weeknight but it tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Perfect Crispy Texture: The cornstarch coating gives the chicken that addictive crunch without deep frying.
Flavor Explosion: The sauce is a heavenly combo of spicy, sweet, and tangy that’s simply unforgettable.
Super Versatile: Whether you serve it over rice, noodles, or wrapped in lettuce, it always feels like a treat.

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients come together to create a dish that's crispy on the outside, tender inside, and perfectly coated with a sauce that packs a flavorful punch. I always keep the buffalo sauce stocked in my fridge because it’s so handy for recipes like this.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces, a small mound of fine white cornstarch on a simple white ceramic plate, two whole brown eggs with clean shells resting side by side, a small white bowl filled with bright orange buffalo hot sauce, a small white bowl containing light brown granulated brown sugar, a small white bowl with clear pale rice vinegar, a few vibrant green sliced green onions arranged neatly on a white ceramic dish, a pinch of deep red crushed red pepper flakes in a small white bowl, a small white bowl of 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

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces ensures even cooking and makes it easy to eat.
Salt and pepper: Simple seasoning that enhances the chicken’s natural flavor before frying.
Cornstarch: This is the secret to that light, crispy crust without frying in oil.
Eggs: They help the cornstarch stick and give the chicken a nice coating.
Vegetable oil: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point to get a great sear on the chicken.
Buffalo hot sauce: The star of the sauce, bringing the spicy kick we all love.
Brown sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the heat perfectly.
Rice vinegar: Adds acidity that brightens and lifts the whole flavor profile.
Red pepper flakes: For extra heat — adjust to your spice preference.
Sliced green onions: Adds fresh, mild onion flavor and a lovely pop of color on top.
Cooking spray: Keeps the baking dish non-stick without extra calories.

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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 love experimenting with the spice levels and sometimes swapping buffalo sauce for a homemade sriracha glaze — it deliciously changes the flavor while keeping that fiery vibe. Feel free to adjust it to your heat tolerance and style.

Variation: For a lower heat option, try using a milder hot sauce or reduce the red pepper flakes; I find it still packs plenty of flavor that way.

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

A black plate with a bed of white rice forming the bottom layer, topped with several pieces of golden-brown glazed chicken coated in shiny orange sauce. Small green chili slices scattered on top of the chicken add a touch of color. A pair of dark red chopsticks is lifting one piece of chicken above the plate. In the background, there is a white marbled surface with a brown bowl filled with red chili flakes blurred out. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and Season the Chicken

I start by cutting my chicken breasts into roughly 1-inch pieces so every bite gets a perfect balance of crispy exterior and juicy interior. Season generously with salt and pepper—this basic step makes a huge difference in flavor before any sauce is added.

Step 2: Coat and Fry for Crispy Perfection

Next, sprinkle cornstarch over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Then I dip each piece into beaten eggs – this is what helps the delicious crust form. Heat your oil in a pan over high heat and fry the chicken in a single layer for about 3–4 minutes a side until golden brown. Working in batches is key so you don’t crowd the pan and steam instead of fry.

Step 3: Bake with the Firecracker Sauce

While the chicken finishes frying, whisk together buffalo hot sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. I arrange the crisped chicken in a baking dish, pour the sauce over it, then pop it into a 350°F oven. Baking it for 35 minutes lets the flavors meld beautifully—just don’t forget to stir halfway through to coat every piece.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Once the chicken is all sticky and saucy, sprinkle over sliced green onions for that fresh pop of flavor and color. Serve it hot and watch everyone dig in!

Top Tip

From my experience making this Firecracker Chicken recipe, the key to amazing texture and flavor is not to rush the frying step and to make sure the sauce completely coats the chicken while baking.

Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Cooking the chicken in batches ensures each piece gets that perfect crisp instead of steaming.
Stir Sauce Halfway: When baking, stirring halfway helps every bite soak up that delicious glaze evenly.
Use Fresh Green Onions: They add a fresh contrast that cuts through the richness of the sauce beautifully.
Adjust Heat Gradually: If you're new to spicy dishes, start with less red pepper flakes and add more after tasting. I learned this made all the difference for dinner guests!

How to Serve Firecracker Chicken Recipe

Firecracker Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top this chicken with freshly sliced green onions — they add a burst of freshness and a little crunch that balances the sauciness perfectly. Sometimes I throw on a few sesame seeds or chopped cilantro if I’m feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

This pairs wonderfully with steamed white rice or sticky jasmine rice to soak up the sauce. Sometimes I serve it with a simple green salad or roasted veggies when I want lighter sides. Rice noodles tossed with a little sesame oil also make a tasty base.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I’ve served Firecracker Chicken wrapped in butter lettuce cups with shredded carrots and cucumber ribbons — it’s a fresh and fun way to eat it. It also makes a fantastic meal prep option layered in bowls with rice and veggies for a colorful, ready-to-go lunch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and they keep well for about 3 days. The sauce sometimes thickens, so I’ll add a splash of water or broth when reheating to loosen it up.

Freezing

Honestly, freezing fried chicken can be tricky, but this Firecracker Chicken freezes surprisingly well if you freeze it without the green onions and fresh garnishes. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, then warm gently on the stove or in the oven.

Reheating

Reheating in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water maintains the crisp texture better than the microwave. I also cover it loosely to warm evenly without drying out the chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work great and tend to stay juicier. Just adjust cooking time as they may take a little longer to cook through.

How spicy is this Firecracker Chicken Recipe?

It has a noticeable spicy kick thanks to the buffalo sauce and red pepper flakes, but you can easily adjust the heat by reducing or omitting the flakes and choosing a milder hot sauce.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can whisk the sauce ingredients together ahead and store it in the fridge for up to two days. Just bring it to room temperature before baking with the chicken.

What sides go best with Firecracker Chicken?

I love serving it with jasmine rice, steamed veggies, or wrapped in lettuce cups with fresh herbs for a balanced meal.

Final Thoughts

This Firecracker Chicken recipe has become one of my absolute favorites for a reason—it’s a delightful blend of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors wrapped around juicy, crispy chicken pieces. I’m so excited for you to try it out; it’s like a little firework show in your mouth, guaranteed to impress both your family and guests. Give it a go and let me know how it lights up your dinner table!