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Get ready to set your taste buds on fire with this spicy, sweet, and totally addicting Firecracker Chicken! It’s the perfect balance of heat and sweetness, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Trust me, this one’s going to be your new go-to recipe.
You may also like my Ground Turkey Stir Fry recipe, which is perfect for meal prepping.
Firecracker Chicken is a great choice for dinner parties or anytime you want something packed with flavor but easy to make for the family. Inspired by my other recipes, it pairs perfectly with a side of garlic-roasted broccolini or just some cilantro lime rice for a well-rounded meal.
You can meal prep this dish or check out my easy meal prep recipes.
Gimme some firecracker chicken!
My kids love this type of meal, so I sometimes use this same recipe and just swap out the chicken for shrimp or beef. They love it and are always eager to sit at the table and get started with dinner.
If you like firecracker chicken, you will also love this sweet and sour chicken that I have to make once a month! It’s so good!
Recipe Overview
Ingredients needed
Below is a list of ingredients you will need to make this dish. Full measurements are listed further down below in the recipe card.
- Toasted sesame oil: Adds a rich, nutty flavor that gives the sauce that authentic Asian taste. If you don’t have it, use avocado oil.
- Sriracha sauce: The perfect amount of heat to give this dish its fiery kick. Worried about the kids, use a tiny bit or just skip it.
- Honey: I like the taste of honey for this recipe, but agave could work. Or even brown sugar.
- Soy sauce, or use coconut aminos
- Tomato paste
- Harrisa paste: For an extra layer of boldness that makes this chicken unforgettable.
Step-by-step instructions
Here’s how to bring this delicious and wasy Firecracker Chicken to life in just a few simple steps:
Step 1: Pour half of the marinade over the chicken chunks.
Step 2: Let it marinate for 30 minutes (or overnight for max flavor!).
Step 3: Cook the chicken in a skillet until browned.
Step 4: Stir in the red bell peppers and onions and cook until softened then pour in the rest of the sauce to coat the chicken and veggies.
Tips & tricks
- Marinate overnight: For deeper flavor, let the chicken marinate overnight in the fridge.
- Don’t skip the sesame seeds: They add a nice crunch that really makes this dish pop.
- Serve with rice: This Firecracker Chicken is perfect over cooked rice to soak up that delicious sauce.
Variations and Substitutions
- Switch up the protein: Try shrimp or tofu instead of chicken for a fun twist.
- Add more heat: For extra spice, throw in some red pepper flakes or more sriracha.
- Make it vegetarian: Replace chicken with cauliflower or another veggie for a plant-based version.
- Gluten-free? Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.
- Low-carb? Swap the rice for cauliflower rice to make this dish keto-friendly.
- Need a vegan option? Use tofu or tempeh instead of chicken for a vegan-friendly meal.
- Sweeten it up: Add a little more honey if you want a sweeter taste to balance the heat.
Make-ahead and storage
You can make the marinade ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The chicken can be marinated the night before and cooked when you’re ready.
Storage: Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days and can easily be reheated in a pan or microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! After cooking, allow the chicken to cool, then freeze it in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Absolutely! Just add more sriracha or a few chopped chili peppers to turn up the heat.
Try serving it with some steamed veggies, rice, roasted potatoes, or a fresh salad. I much prefer having it with some white rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
You can use any protein of your choice. A lot of times, I make it with shrimp or beef.
You may also like
If you’re in the mood for more flavorful chicken dishes, check out these favorites!
- Lemon Chicken Orzo
- Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Baked Chicken Cutlets
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Mediterranean Chicken Skillet
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Firecracker Chicken
Ingredients
Marinade/Stir Fry Sauce
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup honey, agave or brown sugar also work
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- ¼ cup harissa paste
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Stir Fry
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-size chunks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, or avocado oil
- 1 medium sweet onion, large diced
- 1 large red or orange bell pepper, seeded and diced
Optional to serve with:
- cooked rice
- toasted sesame seeds
- wedges of lime
Instructions
- In a jug or bowl, whisk all the ingredients for the marinade. (1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce, 2 garlic cloves, 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1/4 cup tomato paste, ¼ cup harissa paste, and Kosher salt and pepper)
- Pour half of the mixture over the 1 pound chicken breast pieces and stir to evenly coat.
- Allow the chicken to marinate for 30 minutes at the counter, or overnight in the fridge. Reserve the remaining sauce to use for the stir fry.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and add the marinated chicken in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes, then stir and continue to cook until the chicken is almost cooked through.
- Stir in the 1 medium sweet onion and 1 large red or orange bell pepper. Continue to cook, stirring often, for around 5 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through. Pour over the reserved sauce and stir to combine; remove from heat.
- Serve over cooked rice and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and wedges of lime, if desired.
Notes
- Marinate overnight: For deeper flavor, let the chicken marinate overnight in the fridge.
- Don’t skip the sesame seeds: They add a nice crunch that makes this dish pop.
- Serve with rice: This Firecracker Chicken is perfect over cooked rice to soak up that delicious sauce.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
