There’s something about that perfect balance of sweet heat that just hits the spot, and that's exactly why this Firecracker Chicken Recipe is one I keep coming back to. Crispy, saucy, and fiery with just the right kick, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any dinner table.

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

From my first time making this Firecracker Chicken Recipe, I was hooked by how simple ingredients come together for a flavor explosion. It’s a mix of spicy, tangy, and sweet all baked right into juicy, tender chicken pieces.

Perfect Sweet Heat: The blend of buffalo sauce and brown sugar hits that amazing sweet and spicy note you’ll crave over and over.
Crispy & Saucy: The chicken is lightly fried to golden perfection before baking in the sauce, so every bite has both crunch and saucy goodness.
Quick & Easy Prep: You’ll be amazed how quickly you can get this on the table even on those busy weeknights.
Customizable Heat Level: Tweak the red pepper flakes to suit your love for spice, from mild to fiery!

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Firecracker Chicken Recipe plays a crucial role—balancing textures and flavors that complement each other perfectly. When shopping, look for fresh chicken breasts and a good-quality buffalo hot sauce to get that authentic zip.

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: Easy to cut into chunks and perfect for soaking up that amazing sauce.
Cornstarch: This is your secret to achieving a light, crispy coating without deep frying.
Eggs (beaten): Helps the cornstarch stick to the chicken so it crisps up beautifully.
Vegetable oil: A neutral oil for frying that won’t overpower the flavors.
Buffalo hot sauce: The star of the sauce, delivering tangy heat and depth.
Brown sugar: Balances the heat with sweetness to create that addictive sweet-spicy combo.
Rice vinegar: Adds acidity to brighten and lift the sauce’s flavors.
Red pepper flakes: It’s all about controlling the fire here — add more if you love a serious kick!
Sliced green onions: The fresh garnish that adds color and a final mild onion crunch.
Cooking spray: Prevents sticking in the baking pan and helps crisp the chicken in the oven.

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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 my favorite things about this Firecracker Chicken Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I love dialing up the spice when I’m feeling brave, or swapping in different hot sauces to see how the flavor changes — you can make this dish your own in so many ways.

Variation: I once added a splash of honey to the sauce to mellow out the heat on a weeknight and it turned out deliciously different but still just as good.
Low Carb: Try almond flour instead of cornstarch for a gluten-free, low-carb twist that still crisps nicely.
Extra Veggies: Toss in some bell peppers or snap peas halfway through baking for crunch and color.

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 the Chicken for Crispy Coating

Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces — about 1-inch chunks work perfectly. Season them lightly with salt and pepper, then toss them in cornstarch to give that crispy coating a solid base. After that, dip each piece in beaten eggs; this step is key to getting the cornstarch to stick and crisp up well when fried.

Step 2: Fry the Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat your vegetable oil over high heat. You want it hot enough that the chicken sizzles immediately but not smoking. Work in batches if needed, laying the chicken pieces in a single layer so they brown evenly and develop that irresistible golden crust. It usually takes about 3-4 minutes per side. Patience here means better texture later.

Step 3: Mix Up the Firecracker Sauce

While the chicken fries or right after, whisk together buffalo hot sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. This combo is where the magic happens — the vinegar sharpens, the sugar smooths, and the buffalo sauce brings that signature heat.

Step 4: Bake and Let the Flavors Meld

Once your chicken is beautifully browned, spread it out in a 9"x13" pan sprayed with cooking spray. Pour the sauce evenly over the pieces, toss gently to coat, then bake at 350°F for 35 minutes. Halfway through, stir the chicken so every bite soaks up that luscious sauce. It’s like the sauce and chicken get married in your oven!

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Right before serving, sprinkle sliced green onions over the top for a fresh, vibrant contrast. That little burst of green takes this dish from great to wow every single time.

Top Tip

From my kitchen to yours, getting the chicken crispy before baking is the game-changer in this Firecracker Chicken Recipe. It’s tempting to skip frying to save time, but trust me, it makes all the difference in texture and flavor.

Fry in Batches: Crowding the pan steams the chicken instead of crisping it, so give pieces plenty of space.
Don’t Skip the Cornstarch: It’s what creates that light, crackly crust you’ll fall in love with.
Watch the Sauce Sweetness: Adjust the brown sugar if your buffalo sauce is especially tangy or mild to balance heat and sweet perfectly.
Use Fresh Green Onions: They add a fresh bite that really wakes up the dish just before serving.

How to Serve Firecracker Chicken Recipe

firecracker chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I swear by fresh sliced green onions for garnishing—they brighten up the rich sauce and add a subtle onion crunch. Sometimes I like to add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for a nutty touch and some extra texture.

Side Dishes

This Firecracker Chicken Recipe pairs beautifully with simple jasmine rice to soak up all that saucy goodness. Roasted broccoli or steamed green beans also make excellent sides, bringing a fresh contrast to the spicy-sweet chicken.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or special dinners, try serving this dish on a bed of fried rice with some extra green onion sprinkling and a wedge of lime to squeeze over. It adds an extra layer of flavor and freshness that guests always comment on.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Firecracker Chicken stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I find it's best to let it cool completely before sealing to keep the chicken tender and the sauce from becoming too watery.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish successfully by portioning it into freezer-safe containers. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to preserve texture and flavor. The sauce holds up surprisingly well, making it a great make-ahead meal.

Reheating

To keep that lovely crispy coating when reheating leftovers, I warm the chicken in a skillet over medium heat rather than microwaving. It helps revive the texture while heating through the sauce evenly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will bring a bit more moisture and richness. Just cut them into the same size pieces and follow the frying and baking steps as usual.

How spicy is this Firecracker Chicken Recipe?

It’s got a pleasant kick thanks to the buffalo sauce and red pepper flakes, but you can adjust the heat easily by adding more or less red pepper flakes based on your preference.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Simply substitute cornstarch with arrowroot powder or a gluten-free flour blend to keep the coating crispy without gluten.

What’s the best way to serve leftovers?

Reheat gently in a skillet to refresh the crispy texture, then serve over rice or toss with a side of steamed veggies for a tasty next-day meal. Adding a squeeze of lime brightens the flavors beautifully.

Final Thoughts

This Firecracker Chicken Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s that rare dish that tastes like you spent hours on it, but is actually quick and approachable. I hope you give it a try soon and enjoy the perfect sweet-heat combo I’ve come to love—it’s just like I’m sharing a little fiery hug from my kitchen to yours.