5 from 22 votes
Firecracker Chicken
Firecracker Chicken is made with bite-sized chicken pieces coated in cornstarch and pan-fried until crisp, then tossed in a sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce made from brown sugar, buffalo sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes. This method produces a flavorful, sticky coating on the chicken that can be served over rice or noodles, garnished with chopped green onions for brightness.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
411 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Asian-American Fusion
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breast
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- green onion to taste, garnish (optional), chopped
Sauce Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce I use Frank's Red Hot Original
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste, crushed
Instructions
- Add the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and whisk them together.
- Cut the chicken into approx. 1" pieces and add it to another bowl. Add the garlic powder and salt & pepper and toss until coated, then add the cornstarch and toss again to coat.
- Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a skillet. Let it heat for a few minutes over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in 2 batches (don't crowd the pan). Cook the chicken for 4 minutes and then flip (I use tongs to make it easy) and cook for another 3-4 minutes or so. Chicken should be browned and cooked through (165F). Transfer the chicken to a plate. For the second batch, add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan.
- Once the second batch of chicken is done, add the chicken that's on the plate back to the skillet. Stir in the sauce and let it bubble for 30 seconds to a minute or so until thickened, then take the skillet off the heat. Serve immediately over rice or noodles with scallions sprinkled on top if desired.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
411kcal
(21%)
Carbohydrates
48g
(16%)
Protein
24g
(48%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Trans Fat
0.01g
(1%)
Cholesterol
72mg
(24%)
Sodium
761mg
(32%)
Potassium
483mg
(10%)
Fiber
0.1g
(0%)
Sugar
40g
(80%)
Vitamin A
71IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
42mg
(4%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 411
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 411kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 48g | 16% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 72mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 761mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 483mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 0.1g | 0% |
| Sugar | 40g | 80% |
| Vitamin A | 71IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 42mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.