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Firecracker Chicken Recipe Close up of glazed chicken pieces tossed in a sticky, flavorful sauce in a skillet.

Firecracker Chicken

This Firecracker Chicken is sweet, spicy, crispy, and perfectly pan-fried. A budget-friendly, weeknight dinner that's fast and full of flavor!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 chicken breasts boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces; / 680g
  • ½ cup cornstarch for coating the chicken
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder adds flavor
  • 1 teaspoon salt seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked, for seasoning
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil divided, for frying the chicken
  • ½ cup buffalo sauce for the spicy, tangy sauce
  • ½ cup brown sugar to balance the heat with sweetness
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar adds tang
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes for extra spice

Method
 

  1. Add the chicken, cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a ziplock bag. Seal and shake gently to coat the chicken. prep
  2. Heat 2 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place each piece of chicken into the skillet. Cook in two batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side until golden. prep
  3. Flip the chicken pieces over and cook for another 3-4 minutes, until golden on the other side. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside. prep
  4. Add the remaining oil to the skillet and repeat the process until all chicken is cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. prep
  5. Pour the buffalo sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes into the skillet. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. mix
  6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken in the sauce and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to heat through. finish

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 24gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 1644mgPotassium: 540mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 6IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 8mg

Notes

A simple yet bold dish that packs a punch with its sweet, spicy flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick, satisfying, and full of flavor!

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