20 Minute Firecracker Chicken is tangy, spicy, and completely mouthwatering! Make firecracker chicken at home, it’s fast and easy, and way better than takeout!
Firecracker Chicken:
Firecracker chicken is an unbelievably amazing “kick in the mouth” in a good way! It’s definitely an American/Chinese restaurant staple that you can and should make at home. The sauce is somewhat spicy, with a sweet, savory, and tangy kick! While this is a spicy dish, I’d really consider it more flavorful than hot, so it’s something the whole family usually will enjoy. My version uses buffalo sauce, honey, and lime for some amazing flavor! This dish comes together really quickly and makes a fun dinner or can be a great meal prep option too. My firecracker chicken can be made ahead and stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For Serving:
I personally can eat this chicken by itself or with just broccoli because I just am addicted to the sauce! But, feel free to serve it with white or brown cooked rice, it’s great with a big pot of Lo Mein Noodles or this amazing Cauliflower Fried Rice to soak up that tasty sauce!
How to Make Firecracker Chicken:
- Start by heating your olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- While the oil is heating, cut your chicken breasts into 1/2 inch cubes.
- Add the chicken to the pan, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally until it is seared on all sides. About 5-7 minutes.
- While the chicken is cooking whisk together all of your sauce ingredients: Buffalo sauce, honey, lime juice, garlic, red pepper flakes, cornstarch, and water.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 3-5 minutes until sauce is thick.
- NOTE: This dish can be made ahead as a freezer meal! Cook as directed, then allow the chicken to cool. Store in a large zip top freezer safe bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it out in the fridge overnight for best results. Then, just reheat on medium on your stovetop until warmed through.
Enjoy!
~Nichole
20 Minute Firecracker Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.5 Pounds Chicken Breast
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1/2 Cup Hot Sauce or Buffalo Sauce**
- 2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
- 1/4 Cup Honey
- Juice of 1 Large Lime, About 2 Tablespoons
- 1/8 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon Cold Water
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts on a large cutting board and cut into 1/2 inch cubes.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chicken along with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes until golden on all sides.
- While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the hot sauce, garlic, honey, lime juice, red pepper flakes, cornstarch, and water in a small bowl.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, pour the sauce over the chicken and simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce has thickened.
- Serve immediately with cooked rice.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Video
Notes
We love this chicken! Just the right amount of heat and sweet!
I would LOVE this for dinner tonight! It looks incredibly delicious!
I need to try this immediately, it looks so good!
This dinner sounds irresistible. I love a spicy chicken dinner that even the kids can enjoy. I will be making this very soon.
This is exactly the type of meal that makes me really popular around my house. This has tons of flavor AND it is super fast to make. Win!!
I already have everything I need to make this! Can’t wait for dinner tonight 🙂
This sounds like my next dinner. Really. Can’t wait to make it. I’m a huge fan of anything spicy. And I only need 20 minute to make this delicious healthy dinner? Well you got me there. Saving!
I am always looking for easy quick dinners to try on weeknights. This chicken looks soo good! The flavour combo is amazing, can’t wait to try it!
I’ve never had firecracker chicken, but the flavours sound like something I would enjoy! And the pairing with broccoli or cauliflower rice is just what I would go for! Thanks for sharing a great recipe!
The sauce looks so amazing! Love how thick it is!! Loving the lime in this recipe, too! I bet this would be really good with your cauliflower rice. Perfect for a weeknight meal!
This is just what we need tonight! We have chicken thawing out and we were wondering how to make it. We LOVE spicy and buy the humongous jar of hot sauce. Really like the idea that it comes together quickly.
Anything with hot sauce is right up my alley! I don’t think I’ve ever tried firecracker chicken, but I will have to! It looks absolutely mouthwatering! Love how easy it is to make too!
This packs just the right amount of heat to make it perfect for any family. I can’t wait to add this to our menu next week.
I made this last night and it was fantastic!
I love buffalo sauce, so this definitely sounds like my kind of food! I love that the leftovers hold up too. Thanks so much for sharing!
We are huge fan of buffalo anything in this house. Plus love that it’s not fried. I’m always looking for quick healthy dinners during the weeknight! Can’t wait to try:)
This looks amazing and sounds spicy, just the way I like it. It looks so easy I think this will be a fabulous weeknight dinner. Thanks so much for sharing this.
I need this firecracker chicken in my life! I love that it only takes 20 minutes and I bet it would taste delicious alone or as you said on some rice! Yummy!
I am dying to try this fire cracker chicken dish! Not only does it looks incredibly flavourful, but it comes together in no time for a quick weeknight meal!