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 irresistible about the perfect balance of sweet heat and crispy chicken in this Firecracker Chicken Recipe. It’s a dish that hits all the right notes—spicy, tangy, and just a bit sticky—and it’s incredibly simple to make at home. I’ve made this recipe more times than I can count, and it never fails to impress guests and family alike!

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

This Firecracker Chicken Recipe is a favorite of mine because it marries crispy, golden chicken with a fiery, sweet sauce that’s incredibly addictive. It’s approachable enough for weeknights but special enough to serve for guests without stress.

Perfect Sweet Heat: The combination of buffalo sauce, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes delivers that signature firecracker kick.
Crispy Outside, Tender Inside: Lightly coating the chicken in cornstarch then frying ensures a fantastic texture every time.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of what you need on hand—no fancy or hard-to-find sauces required.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: It’s spicy but not overwhelming, making it perfect for sharing and adjusting heat levels.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Firecracker Chicken Recipe comes from how simple ingredients come together to deliver fantastic flavor and texture. Here’s a quick breakdown so you know why each one counts.

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

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: They cook quickly and stay juicy. I prefer breasts for their lean meat, but thighs work too if you want more richness.
Cornstarch: The secret to that ultra-crispy coating. It fries lighter and crunchier than flour, giving you the best bite.
Eggs: Used as a binder to make sure the cornstarch sticks perfectly to each piece.
Vegetable oil: A neutral oil that handles high heat well—essential for crisping the chicken.
Buffalo hot sauce: This is the fire in Firecracker Chicken. Choose a quality buffalo sauce you love since it’s the base of the flavor.
Brown sugar: Adds the sweet counterbalance to the heat, creating that irresistible sweet-spicy combo.
Rice vinegar: Gives a little tang and brightness, lifting the sauce beyond just sweet and spicy.
Red pepper flakes: For an extra kick of heat. I always tweak this depending on my mood or who I’m feeding.
Sliced green onions: Freshness, color, and a mild bite that finishes the dish beautifully.
Cooking spray: Helps keep your baking pan non-stick and easy to clean.

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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

One of the things I love about this Firecracker Chicken Recipe is how easily you can customize it to fit your taste or dietary needs. Play around with the heat level or add different twists to keep things interesting.

Variation: I’ve swapped boneless chicken thighs in place of breasts for a juicier, richer bite. It’s just as delicious and sometimes even easier to keep moist.
Spice Level: If you want milder heat, reduce the red pepper flakes or swap the buffalo sauce for a milder hot sauce. You can always add more later!
Gluten-Free Swap: Using cornstarch already makes this naturally gluten-free, but just double-check your hot sauce label to be sure.
Extra Crunch: For a double-crisp coating, you can briefly bake the fried chicken pieces before adding the sauce—this keeps the texture popping.

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 Season Your Chicken

Start by cutting your chicken breasts into evenly sized 1-inch pieces. Season them generously with salt and pepper—that’s where a lot of foundational flavor builds. Then sprinkle on the cornstarch and toss until every piece is lightly coated. This step is key—don’t skimp on the cornstarch because it’s what makes the chicken crispy in the pan.

Step 2: Egg Dip and Fry

Next, dip each chicken piece into your beaten eggs. This makes the cornstarch stick and ensures that perfect crust. Heat vegetable oil over high heat in a large skillet—hot but not smoking. Fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding so each piece crisps up golden. Cook 3-4 minutes per side or until beautifully browned. Patience here pays off with fantastic texture.

Step 3: Make the Sauce and Bake

While the chicken cooks, whisk buffalo sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes together. When all chicken pieces are fried, arrange them in a greased 9"x13" baking dish. Pour your sauce over the top, making sure every piece glistens. Pop the dish into a 350°F oven and bake for 35 minutes, stirring once halfway through so the chicken soaks up that sticky, fiery goodness.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Once baked, sprinkle sliced green onions over the chicken for freshness and a pop of green color. Serve immediately and watch how fast this Firecracker Chicken disappears from the table.

Top Tip

From my years of cooking this Firecracker Chicken Recipe, a few little tricks have made all the difference between good and unforgettable. These tips help you nail the texture and flavor every single time.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry the chicken in batches. Crowding causes steaming rather than frying, which means soggy chicken.
Use a Hot Pan and Oil: Make sure your oil is hot before adding chicken; this prevents sticking and helps that golden crust form quicker.
Whisk the Sauce Well: The brown sugar can settle, so whisk it thoroughly before pouring over the chicken to keep the flavor balanced.
Stir Halfway Through Baking: This ensures every chicken piece gets coated in sauce and caramelizes nicely without getting soggy.

How to Serve Firecracker Chicken Recipe

Firecracker Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top mine with plenty of sliced green onions—they bring a nice sharp freshness that cuts through the richness. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for an extra nutty crunch. A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end can brighten things up, too.

Side Dishes

This Firecracker Chicken pairs beautifully with simple sides like steamed jasmine rice or garlic fried rice to soak up the sauce. I also love serving it alongside roasted veggies or a crunchy Asian slaw to add texture contrast. When I’m in a hurry, a basic green salad with a light vinaigrette does the trick.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve served the chicken on skewers for easy finger food alongside dipping sauces. Another fun way is stuffing it into lettuce cups with some crunchy peanuts and fresh herbs for that fresh-cool-spicy combo. It’s always a crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The chicken retains its flavor nicely, though the texture softens slightly. Reheating gently helps maintain a better bite.

Freezing

You can freeze cooked Firecracker Chicken in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. I prefer freezing the chicken and sauce separately if possible for the best texture when thawed.

Reheating

To reheat, I use the oven at 300°F for about 10-15 minutes to gently warm the chicken without drying it. You can also heat it in a skillet on medium-low heat, stirring often to keep the sauce from burning. Microwaving works in a pinch but tends to make the coating less crispy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully and tend to stay more juicy and flavorful, especially if you prefer dark meat. Just cut them into similarly sized pieces for even cooking.

How spicy is this Firecracker Chicken Recipe?

The recipe has a mild to moderate heat depending on the buffalo sauce and the amount of red pepper flakes used. You can control the spiciness easily by adjusting these ingredients to your taste.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Using cornstarch for the coating instead of flour makes the recipe gluten-free. Just be sure to pick a gluten-free buffalo sauce and check labels on any store-bought sauces you use.

What’s the best way to keep the chicken crispy after baking?

To keep your chicken crispy, avoid overcrowding when frying and baking. Also, stirring halfway through baking helps sauce coat evenly without making the chicken soggy. Some chefs like to bake uncovered to let moisture escape, which helps maintain crispiness.

Final Thoughts

This Firecracker Chicken Recipe feels like a little celebration on a plate to me—where simple ingredients come alive with zest and crunch. It’s one of those dishes I always circle back to when I want a no-fuss dinner that tastes like I put in hours. I hope you enjoy making it just as much as I do, and that it becomes a fiery favorite in your kitchen, too!