How to Make Firecracker Chicken: A Crispy, Flavor-packed Recipe
A sweet, spicy, ultra-crispy Firecracker Chicken inspired by classic takeout flavors and made easily at home.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop and Oven
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Frank’s Red Hot (or something similar)
- 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or Tamari
- 3 teaspoons rice wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper, as needed
- 1 cup corn starch
- Olive oil or neutral oil, for cooking
- Chopped scallions (whites and greens), for serving
- Cooked white rice (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F and set rack to the middle position.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine hot sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, soy sauce, vinegar, and 2 tablespoons water. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Set aside.
3. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Dredge evenly in corn starch.
4. Heat a large deep-sided skillet over high to medium-high heat with enough oil to coat the bottom. Cook chicken 3–5 minutes per side until browned and crispy.
5. Turn off heat and pour sauce over chicken, using a spoon to coat. Transfer skillet to oven and bake 5–8 minutes to crisp and meld flavors.
6. Top with scallions and serve with hot cooked rice if desired.
Notes
For extra crispiness, avoid overcrowding the pan while browning the chicken.
Thighs work best, but breasts can be substituted with slightly reduced cook time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 1180
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 16
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 34
- Cholesterol: 145
Find it online: https://paulakitchen.com/firecracker-chicken-recipe/