Print

Firecracker Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 82 reviews

Firecracker Chicken is a crispy, spicy, and sweet dish featuring tender fried chicken pieces coated in a zesty buffalo and brown sugar sauce, then baked to perfection with a sticky glaze. Perfectly balanced with garlic, chili, and tangy vinegar, this dish delivers a fiery kick complemented by a hint of sweetness, making it an irresistible crowd-pleaser for any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 ½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 eggs, whisked
  • ¾ cup cornstarch
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (plus more as needed for frying)

Sauce

  • ¾ cup buffalo sauce
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon mustard powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sauce: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a medium bowl, whisk together the buffalo sauce, light brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, melted butter, soy sauce, garlic powder, chili powder, mustard powder, and salt until fully combined. Set this sauce mixture aside.
  2. Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts or thighs into 2-inch pieces and pat them completely dry using paper towels. Season the pieces generously with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Coat the chicken in egg: Vigorously whisk the eggs in a medium bowl until small air bubbles form and the mixture is uniform in color. Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the eggs and toss well to coat evenly.
  4. Heat the oil: In a deep skillet or frying pan, heat 1 cup of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 365 degrees Fahrenheit. This is important to achieve a crispy exterior.
  5. Fry the chicken: Working in batches, coat each piece of chicken in the cornstarch just before frying, then briefly dip them back into the whisked eggs. Carefully place the chicken pieces in the hot oil, leaving space between each piece to avoid overcrowding. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side, flipping once the bottom turns light brown and crispy. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain oil temperature and add more oil during cooking if necessary.
  6. Drain and crisp: Remove the cooked chicken with a slotted spoon and place on wire cooling racks set over wax or parchment paper to catch excess grease. This technique helps the chicken maintain its crispiness on all sides by allowing oil to drain away thoroughly.
  7. Toss chicken in sauce: After all batches are fried and drained, transfer the chicken into the large bowl containing the prepared sauce. Gently toss the chicken pieces to coat them evenly with the sauce, ensuring every piece is well glazed.
  8. Bake the glazed chicken: Transfer the sauced chicken to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove the dish, toss the chicken gently again to redistribute the sauce, then bake for an additional 10 minutes to allow the sauce to set and caramelize slightly.
  9. Garnish and serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and garnish with sliced green onions for freshness and color. Serve hot with white rice or vegetable fried rice for a complete meal.

Notes

  • For extra spicy heat, increase the chili powder or add a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
  • Ensure chicken pieces are completely dry before seasoning and coating, to achieve the crispiest coating.
  • The wire rack step is key to prevent sogginess by letting excess oil drip away.
  • Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Baking after frying helps the sauce set nicely without making the coating soggy.
  • Use a candy or deep-fry thermometer to maintain the oil temperature at 365°F for optimal frying results.

Keywords: Firecracker Chicken, spicy chicken, fried chicken, buffalo sauce chicken, crispy chicken, baked chicken wings, sweet and spicy chicken

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/firecracker-chicken-recipe/