There’s something downright addictive about this Firecracker Chicken Recipe — the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors that just light up your taste buds. I love how it’s simple enough to whip up on a weeknight but impressive enough to serve friends without breaking a sweat.

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

This Firecracker Chicken Recipe has been one of my go-to crowd-pleasers because it balances heat with a touch of sweetness so well. Every bite bursts with flavor, and the crispy baked chicken is just as satisfying as its fried counterpart.

Effortless Prep: Tossing chicken in cornstarch and eggs before pan-searing makes for an irresistibly crispy texture without deep frying.
Flavor Explosion: The mix of buffalo sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar creates that iconic sweet-heat combo that keeps you coming back for more.
Oven-Baked Finish: Baking it in a saucy bath keeps the chicken juicy and ensures every piece is coated with that delicious firecracker sauce.
Versatile Serving: Great for a quick dinner, meal prep, or even game day snacks — it’s always a hit!

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays an important role to bring this Firecracker Chicken Recipe to life. The balance of spicy, sweet, and acid is essential here, and the coating helps achieve that golden crispiness that makes every bite so satisfying.

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: Tender, lean, and perfect for quick cooking and soaking up the sauce.
Salt and pepper: Simple seasoning that enhances the natural flavor of the chicken before coating.
Cornstarch: Creates a light crispy crust that holds the sauce beautifully without becoming soggy.
Eggs: Help the cornstarch stick evenly to the chicken pieces for that perfect crunch.
Vegetable oil: For searing the chicken until golden and delicious.
Buffalo hot sauce: The star of the firecracker flavor – spicy with a tangy kick.
Brown sugar: Balances the heat with a mellow sweetness that keeps the sauce addictive.
Rice vinegar: Adds brightness and acidity that cuts through the richness and amps up flavor layers.
Red pepper flakes: Sprinkle in to your preferred heat level for that extra firecracker punch.
Sliced green onions: Fresh garnish that adds color, bite, and a hint of sharpness.
Cooking spray: Keeps your baking dish non-stick and easy to clean while baking.

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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 best things about this Firecracker Chicken Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I often adjust the heat and sweetness based on what mood I’m in or who’s joining me at the table.

Variation: I sometimes swap chicken thighs for breasts when I want a juicier, more forgiving cut — it crisps up just as nicely!
Spice level: If you like things milder, cut back on the red pepper flakes or choose a milder buffalo sauce; for a serious kick, add extra chili flakes or even a dash of cayenne.
Sweetness tweak: Adjust brown sugar to taste — I love that perfect sweet-spicy balance, but sometimes I add a bit more sugar for a dessert-like glaze effect.
Gluten-free option: Swap cornstarch for arrowroot powder for a gluten-free crisp coating.

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 Your Chicken

I start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces so every morsel gets coated and cooked evenly. After seasoning with salt and pepper, I toss the chicken in cornstarch—this step is key! It’s what gives the chicken that lovely crispy crust. Make sure it’s a light, even coating.

Step 2: Egg Dip and Sear

Dipping the chicken pieces into beaten eggs helps the cornstarch stick perfectly. Then, heat your oil on high and sear the chicken in batches. You want a golden brown color on each side, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the pan or the chicken will steam instead of crisp.

Step 3: Sauce Up and Bake

Once all the chicken is browned, place it in a greased baking dish. Whisk together buffalo sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes for that perfect firecracker glaze. Pour this over the chicken, then bake at 350°F for 35 minutes. Halfway through, give everything a good stir to make sure each piece is fully coated and juicy.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Right after baking, sprinkle sliced green onions over the top for freshness, color, and a bit of bite to cut through the rich sauce. Then dig in right away while it’s hot and sticky!

Top Tip

Through countless batches, I’ve learned a few tricks that really help nail this Firecracker Chicken Recipe every time. It’s those little adjustments and attentions to detail that make the dish shine.

Don’t Skip the Cornstarch: It’s the secret to crispy chicken that holds up well in the sauce without turning soggy.
High Heat Sear: Use a hot pan but don’t overcrowd — searing in batches gives you that wonderful golden crust.
Stir Halfway Through Baking: This ensures all the chicken pieces soak up the sauce evenly and stay moist.
Adjust Sauce to Taste: Feel free to tweak the hot sauce and sugar ratio depending on your family’s spice tolerance — this recipe is very forgiving!

How to Serve Firecracker Chicken Recipe

firecracker chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love simple garnishes with this dish—fresh sliced green onions add just the right pop of color and fresh crunch. Sometimes when I’m feeling fancy, I throw on a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or chopped cilantro for extra flair and fragrance.

Side Dishes

This Firecracker Chicken Recipe pairs perfectly with fluffy steamed jasmine rice or coconut rice—the mildness balances the spicy sauce beautifully. I also often serve it with roasted broccoli or snap peas for a bright, fresh contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For game days or casual gatherings, I’ve tried serving this chicken on mini slider buns with a crisp lettuce leaf and a dollop of ranch dressing. It’s a crowd-pleaser and makes for easy finger food. You can also pile it over a big salad with crunchy peanuts for a light yet indulgent meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge—they keep well for 3-4 days. The sauce thickens slightly as it cools, which makes reheated servings even more luscious.

Freezing

This recipe freezes wonderfully. I portion the chicken into freezer-safe containers or bags, making sure to include plenty of sauce so it doesn’t dry out. When thawed and reheated, the flavors are still vibrant and the texture stays quite tender.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, I reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or extra sauce to loosen things up. This prevents drying out and helps keep that saucy, sticky texture that makes this Firecracker Chicken Recipe so good.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great substitute and tend to be juicier. Just cut them into similar bite-sized pieces and follow the same cooking steps.

How spicy is this Firecracker Chicken Recipe?

The heat mostly comes from the buffalo hot sauce and red pepper flakes, and you can easily adjust both to suit your taste. For milder palates, reduce the red pepper flakes or use a milder hot sauce.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Simply substitute the cornstarch with arrowroot powder or another gluten-free starch for a crisp coating, and check that your hot sauce is gluten-free.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover Firecracker Chicken?

Reheat it gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or extra sauce to keep the chicken moist and saucy. Avoid microwaving directly as it can dry out the chicken.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Firecracker Chicken Recipe has a special place in my kitchen because it’s comforting, flavorful, and always winning smiles at the dinner table. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do — once you try it, I’m sure it’ll be one of your favorite go-to meals too!