The Perfect Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe for Spicy Lovers

Firecracker chicken stir fry electrifies weeknight meals with explosive flavor combinations.

Sizzling woks elevate ordinary ingredients into extraordinary culinary experiences that spark immediate hunger.

Bold and bright seasonings dance across succulent protein and crisp vegetables, creating a symphony of taste sensations.

Intense heat meets balanced aromatics, promising a dish that tingles taste buds without overwhelming them.

Quick preparation meets restaurant-quality results, making this recipe a weeknight game-changer for busy home cooks.

Vibrant colors and dynamic textures elevate this meal from simple sustenance to a true dining adventure.

Prepare to elevate your kitchen into a flavor destination.

Why Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Deserves the Hype

• Savor Speedy Spiciness: This firecracker chicken stir fry delivers a quick, zesty meal packed with bold flavors that dance on your taste buds in just 20 minutes.
• Customize with Ease: Swap vegetables or adjust spice levels to match your preferences, making this recipe incredibly flexible for different palates and dietary needs.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup with this streamlined cooking method that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal using just a single pan.
• Nutritional Powerhouse: Loaded with lean protein, colorful vegetables, and balanced macronutrients, this dish provides a wholesome dinner that fuels your body without sacrificing taste.

Bold Ingredients for Firecracker Chicken Flavor

• Chicken: Lean protein that provides the main substance of the dish, best when using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for quick and even cooking.

• Bell Peppers, Sugar Snap Peas: Colorful and crisp vegetables that add freshness, texture, and nutritional value to the stir fry, choose bright and firm produce for the best results.

• Olive Oil: Healthy cooking oil that helps prevent sticking and adds a mild flavor to the dish.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the chickens natural taste and provide depth to the overall flavor profile.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds a sharp, bright finish and visual appeal to the completed dish.

• Hot Sauce, Soy Sauce, Honey, Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes: Combination of sweet, spicy, and savory components that create a bold and complex firecracker sauce with layers of flavor.

How to Sizzle Up Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry

Step 1: Heat the Skillet

Warm of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Place chicken in the skillet, season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned and transfer to a separate plate.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables

• Sliced peppers
• Sugar snap peas

Sauté until vegetables become tender and slightly crisp.

Step 4: Prepare the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until well combined.

Step 5: Combine and Simmer

Return cooked chicken to the skillet with vegetables. Pour in the prepared sauce and stir thoroughly. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 6: Reduce and Thicken

Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer until it reaches a nice, thick consistency.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Plate the stir fry over rice. Sprinkle chopped green onions on top for an extra burst of flavor.

Tips to Nail That Spicy-Savory Kick Every Time

• Slice Chicken Uniformly: Cut chicken into equal-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the stir fry.
• Preheat Skillet Properly: Heat the skillet before adding oil to achieve a perfect sear and lock in chicken's natural juices.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly and adjust thickness by simmering longer or adding a touch of cornstarch if needed.
• Maintain High Heat: Keep skillet temperature at medium-high to quickly cook vegetables while preserving their crisp texture and vibrant colors.
• Garnish Strategically: Sprinkle fresh green onions just before serving to add a bright, zesty finish and enhance the dish's overall flavor profile.

Reheating and Storing Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Just Right

• Refrigerate: Store leftover firecracker chicken in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Seal the container tightly to prevent moisture loss and keep flavors intact. Cool the dish completely before placing it in the refrigerator to maintain its texture and taste.
• Freezing: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date and contents to track freshness. Frozen stir fry will stay delicious for up to three months when properly sealed.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated chicken in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying. Microwave works well too – cover the dish and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each cycle. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety, which kills any potential bacteria and restores the dish's original juicy texture.

Best Bites to Pair with Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry

• Spark Heat with Cool Sake: Pair this spicy firecracker chicken with a chilled Japanese sake to balance the dish's intense flavors and cool down the palate.
• Rice Companion Upgrade: Select jasmine or basmati rice to complement the stir fry's bold taste and absorb the zesty sauce perfectly.
• Fresh Beer Contrast: Choose a crisp light beer like a pilsner or pale ale to cut through the chicken's spiciness and refresh your taste buds between bites.
• Bright Citrus Salad Side: Create a quick cucumber and lime salad with fresh herbs to provide a cool, tangy counterpoint to the warm, spicy stir fry.

Spicy Variations on Classic Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry

• Spicy Shrimp Firecracker Swap: Replace chicken with succulent shrimp for a seafood-packed version that cooks even faster and delivers a delightful ocean-fresh taste.
• Vegetarian Tofu Power Bowl: Substitute chicken with firm tofu cubes, maintaining the same fiery sauce and crisp vegetable profile for a protein-packed plant-based meal.
• Korean-Inspired Beef Remix: Swap chicken for thinly sliced beef sirloin, adding a deep umami flavor while keeping the signature spicy firecracker sauce and quick stir-fry technique.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Rice Base: Skip traditional rice and serve the stir-fry over riced cauliflower for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate alternative that doesn't compromise on taste or texture.

Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry delivers a spicy explosion of Asian-inspired flavors with tender chicken and crisp vegetables. Sizzling wok-tossed ingredients create a quick, zesty meal that awakens taste buds and brings restaurant-quality excitement to home cooking.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

Vegetables:

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup sugar snap peas
• 3 green onions, sliced

Sauce and Seasoning:

• ⅓ cup (80 ml) soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons sriracha
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Salt, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Heat of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling cooking surface.
2. Add chicken pieces to the hot skillet, seasoning generously with salt and black pepper. Cook until golden brown and fully cooked through, developing a crispy exterior.
3. Transfer the seared chicken to a separate plate, allowing it to rest while maintaining its temperature.
4. Drizzle an additional tablespoon (15 milliliters) of olive oil into the same skillet, utilizing the existing flavor residue from the chicken.
5. Introduce sliced bell peppers and sugar snap peas to the skillet, sautéing until vegetables become tender-crisp and slightly caramelized.
6. Whisk together sauce ingredients in a small mixing bowl, ensuring all components blend smoothly and create a harmonious flavor profile.
7. Reintroduce the cooked chicken to the vegetable-filled skillet, carefully pouring the prepared sauce over the ingredients.
8. Stir the mixture thoroughly, allowing the sauce to coat every morsel and bring the entire dish to a gentle boil.
9. Reduce heat to low, simmering the stir fry until the sauce thickens and clings beautifully to the chicken and vegetables.
10. Plate the firecracker chicken stir fry over steamed rice, garnishing with freshly chopped green onions for a vibrant finish.

Notes

Recipe Card Notes:

• Swap in different protein options like tofu or shrimp for a quick meal variation.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting hot sauce or chili flakes to personal spice preference.
• Prep vegetables ahead of time to streamline cooking process and reduce kitchen stress.
• Leftover stir fry tastes fantastic cold or reheated for next day’s lunch.
• Select crisp, fresh vegetables for maximum crunch and nutritional value.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg