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Home » Meal Prep Friendly

Firecracker Chicken

March 22, 2021 by Jordan Smith 29 Comments

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This is a bowl of firecracker chicken. There is a cream color bowl with white rice, topped with orange chicken and green onions on top.
This is a bowl of firecracker chicken. There is a cream color bowl with white rice, topped with orange chicken and green onions on top.
This is a bowl of firecracker chicken. There is a cream color bowl with white rice, topped with orange chicken and green onions on top.
This is a bowl of firecracker chicken. There is a cream color bowl with white rice, topped with orange chicken and green onions on top.
This is a bowl of firecracker chicken. There is a cream color bowl with white rice, topped with orange chicken and green onions on top.
This is a bowl of firecracker chicken. There is a cream color bowl with white rice, topped with orange chicken and green onions on top.

Skip the takeout for a night and enjoy this sweet, spicy, and tangy firecracker chicken from your own kitchen. This recipe does not require deep frying and is incredibly easy and delicious!

This is a bowl of firecracker chicken. There is a cream colored bowl with white rice and chunks of bright orange chicken on top. On the chicken is cut green onions and red pepper flakes. A pair of chopsticks is to the right of the bowl.
Jump to Recipe

What is firecracker chicken?

Firecracker chicken is a Chinese takeout staple! It's spicy, sweet, tangy, and most importantly - delicious! This dish is typically pieces of deep-fried chicken covered in a thick bright orange sauce. It's sort of like a slightly spicier version of orange chicken. It's found at many Chinese restaurants and even on the menu at Panda Express.

Firecracker chicken

This firecracker chicken is a homemade version of our favorite Chinese takeout dish! It's sweet, spicy, and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or lettuce wraps. Made with simple ingredients, this recipe is also nutritious! If you're still not sold, the best part about this chicken is that it is so easy to make! There's no deep frying involved - all you need is a slow cooker. This dish is similar to my healthy orange chicken but has an extra kick!

This is a bowl of firecracker chicken. There is a cream colored bowl with white rice and chunks of bright orange chicken on top. On the chicken is cut green onions and red pepper flakes. There is a pair of chopsticks holding up a piece of chicken.

What ingredients do I need?

Like I mentioned, this recipe is easy! All you need to do is add chicken to the slow cooker, mix the sauce ingredients together, dump it over the chicken, and it’ll be ready in a few hours. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Chicken breast – This recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of chicken breast (or about 3 large breasts). I’ve used raw and frozen chicken for this recipe and both work.
  • Corn starch – Before adding sauce to the recipe, you will coat the chicken breast pieces in some corn starch. Doing this will help thicken the sauce and coat the chicken.
  • Buffalo hot sauce - This will bring the tang and heat!
  • Honey - Adding in some honey will provide sweetness and a thicker consistency for the sauce.
  • Vegetable oil - To help thicken the sauce
  • Rice vinegar - This mild, slightly sweet ingredient is a staple in Asian dishes
  • Red pepper flakes - These are key for the extra spice!
  • Garlic powder - Adding some garlic will provide great flavor for the sauce.
  • Optional garnishes: chopped green onions, sesame seeds, red pepper flakes

What equipment do I need for this recipe?

The only equipment you need for this recipe is either a skillet or slow cooker.

This is a bowl of firecracker chicken. There is a cream colored bowl with white rice and chunks of bright orange chicken on top. On the chicken is cut green onions and red pepper flakes. A pair of chopsticks is to the right of the bowl.

What is the process?

Here's how easy this recipe is:

  • Gather all ingredients.
  • Cut the chicken breasts into 1 inch cubes.
  • Add ¼ cup corn starch to a bowl. Coat the chicken with the corn starch.
  • To make in a slow cooker:
    • Spray the slow cooker with a cooking oil.
    • Add the coated chicken cubes to the slow cooker.
    • Make the sauce by mixing all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
    • Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker.
    • Cook on low for 4 hours or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees.
  • To make on a stove:
    • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
    • Cover the skillet with cooking spray.
    • Cook for about 10 minutes or until chicken is 165 degrees internally.
    • Add half of the sauce mixture to the skillet and stir.
    • After 30 seconds, turn the heat to low so that the chicken and sauce can simmer together for about 4 minutes. Stir occasionally.
    • Repeat with the other half of the chicken and sauce.
  • Stir and serve with green onions, sesame seeds, and additional red pepper flakes. Enjoy!

How should I eat this?

This firecracker chicken can be enjoyed in so many ways! Here are some ideas of how you can incorporate the chicken:

  • Wraps
  • Rice
  • Salads
  • Quinoa
  • Bowls
This is a bowl of firecracker chicken. There is a cream colored bowl with white rice and chunks of bright orange chicken on top. On the chicken is cut green onions and red pepper flakes. There is a pair of chopsticks holding up a piece of chicken.

What is firecracker sauce made of?

The firecracker sauce is the most important part of this recipe! It's made of 6 ingredients to create a sweet, spicy, and tangy coating for the chicken.

  • buffalo hot sauce
  • honey
  • vegetable oil
  • rice vinegar
  • red pepper flakes
  • garlic powder

What is the best way to season chicken?

Making a sauce or marinade is such an easy way to season chicken! This firecracker chicken recipe uses a simple sauce to flavor the chicken. Adding an easy sauce is such an easy way to spice up your protein!

What goes with spicy chicken?

My favorite pairings with spicy chicken are:

  • Roasted broccoli
  • Crispy brussel sprouts
  • Brown rice
  • Fried rice
  • Asparagus
This is a bowl of firecracker chicken. There is a cream colored bowl with white rice and chunks of bright orange chicken on top. On the chicken is cut green onions and red pepper flakes. A pair of chopsticks is to the right of the bowl.

Looking for something similar?

If you love slow cooker recipes, try these recipes:

  • Healthy Orange Chicken
  • Healthy Buffalo Chicken
  • Honey Sriracha Chicken
  • Green Chili Chicken
This is a bowl of firecracker chicken. There is a cream colored bowl with white rice and chunks of bright orange chicken on top. On the chicken is cut green onions and red pepper flakes. A pair of chopsticks is to the right of the bowl.

Can I have the recipe?

If you try this recipe and love it, please rate it and me know your thoughts! I hope you enjoy this firecracker chicken as much as I do.

This is a bowl of firecracker chicken. There is a cream colored bowl with white rice and chunks of bright orange chicken on top. On the chicken is cut green onions and red pepper flakes. A pair of chopsticks is to the right of the bowl.
Print Recipe
5 from 34 votes

Firecracker Chicken

This firecracker chicken recipe is an easy, homemade dish that's incredibly delicious and more nutritious than takeout!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time4 hours hrs
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: firecracker chicken, slow cooker
Servings: 4
Calories: 327kcal
Author: Jordan Smith

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch cubes
  • ¼ cup corn starch

Sauce

  • ½ cup buffalo hot sauce
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Optional Garnishes

  • green onions chopped
  • sesame seeds
  • red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Gather all ingredients.
  • Cut the chicken breasts into 1 inch cubes.
  • Add ¼ cup corn starch to a bowl. Coat the chicken with the corn starch.
  • To make in a slow cooker:
    Spray the slow cooker with a cooking oil. Add the coated chicken cubes to the slow cooker.Make the sauce by mixing all of the ingredients together in a bowl.Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees.
  • To make on a stove:
    Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cover the skillet with cooking spray. Cook for about 10 minutes or until chicken is 165 degrees internally. Add half of the sauce mixture to the skillet and stir. After 30 seconds, turn the heat to low so that the chicken and sauce can simmer together for about 4 minutes. Stir occasionally. Repeat with the other half of the chicken and sauce.
  • Stir and serve with green onions, sesame seeds, and additional red pepper flakes. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 1001mg | Potassium: 703mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 248IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

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Comments

  1. Kay Lynn Thomas says

    November 26, 2021 at 11:21 pm

    5 stars
    Super good! I had never tried buffalo hot sauce before, and now I include it in so many recipes! Thanks for the inspiration, Jordo!

    Reply
  2. Kim says

    November 27, 2021 at 9:04 pm

    5 stars
    So much better than PF Chang's. Seriously, Jordo never disappoints.

    Reply
  3. Joanna Barna says

    November 28, 2021 at 3:34 pm

    5 stars
    Love love love this! So easy and delicious. A weekly staple in our house!

    Reply
  4. Hannah says

    November 29, 2021 at 12:54 pm

    5 stars
    I had some chicken breasts that I needed to use and already had all of these ingredients on hand, so this recipe was the perfect low-prep option! I just threw it all in the crock pot and enjoyed it over broccoli and rice- so flavorful and the perfect kick of spiciness!

    Reply
  5. Hayley says

    January 05, 2022 at 11:11 pm

    5 stars
    Could this be done with an insta pot? I’m assuming yes bc you can slow cook it. Looks delicious 🤤

    Reply
  6. Brooke Davis says

    February 08, 2022 at 9:44 am

    5 stars
    POW! Right in the kisser! I made this one in the crockpot and I couldn’t believe how nice and thick the sauce got! I omitted the red pepper flakes and. The heat was perfect for me and my boys. I cannot stress the amount of flavor this one has! I’m already getting requests for an encore!

    Reply
  7. Laura Ferris says

    June 17, 2022 at 9:28 am

    5 stars
    Every time I make firecracker chicken and bring it to work…people follow me from the kitchen to see where I got my Chinese takeout. It smells heavenly, and really hits the spot if you’re craving takeout!

    Reply
  8. Sierra says

    August 07, 2022 at 1:57 pm

    5 stars
    This sounds amazing, we are making this today!! However, what is the serving size?

    Thank you

    Reply
    • Jordan Smith says

      August 08, 2022 at 8:19 am

      This recipe makes 6 servings! You can either divide it into 6 portions by eyeballing, or weigh all of the chicken after its cooked and divide by 6 to get your exact weight.

      Reply
  9. Keisa says

    November 19, 2022 at 6:49 am

    5 stars
    AMAZING! Cooked on stovetop. Kids also loved it…said best chicken they’ve ever had. Made recipe just as shown. It is a little spicy but we love spicy foods. Served it over rice with broccoli.

    Reply
  10. Christina says

    November 19, 2022 at 7:47 am

    5 stars
    So much better for you than the restaurant version. Easy to make and versatile to have over rice or veggies, etc.

    Reply
  11. Elaine says

    July 26, 2023 at 10:30 pm

    5 stars
    OMG! I made the Firecracker Chicken for tonight's dinner and my granddaughter said it was awesome. She is a picky pixie, so I was surprised. It was so easy to make, and the corn starch idea was a plus for the chicken. I used a skillet although I have a slow cooker. I also added carrots and celery with the broccoli. Tomorrow is pizza. Your recipes are easy, healthy and food that I enjoy. thank you.

    Reply
    • Jordan Smith says

      August 08, 2023 at 12:04 pm

      Hi Elaine, I'm so happy to hear you and your granddaughter enjoyed this recipe together! The sauce is magical haha. I hope you enjoy more recipes as well!

      Reply
  12. Jessica Collins says

    December 20, 2024 at 9:42 am

    5 stars
    This is our go to when we can’t decide on dinner and it hits every time!

    Reply
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5 from 34 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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Hi, I'm Jordo!

I make easy, healthy recipes for busy people.

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