Firecracker Chicken is a delightful dish that combines crispy, tender chicken with a spicy buffalo sauce, creating a flavor explosion in every bite. Perfect for dinner parties or a cozy family meal, this recipe will keep everyone asking for seconds!
INGREDIENTS
- Chicken: 1 ½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 2-inch pieces and patted dry
- Salt/Pepper: To taste, for seasoning the chicken
- Eggs: 3 eggs, whisked until uniform in color and frothy
- Vegetable Oil: 1 cup for frying, plus more as needed to maintain heat
- Cornstarch: ¾ cup, used for coating the chicken for a crispy texture
- Buffalo Sauce: ¾ cup, provides the spicy flavor
- Light Brown Sugar: 1 cup, to add sweetness to the sauce
- Apple Cider Vinegar: 2 teaspoons, for a tangy kick in the sauce
- Butter: 1 tablespoon, melted, to enrich the sauce
- Soy Sauce: 1 teaspoon, for depth of flavor
- Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon, enhances the overall flavor
- Chili Powder: ½ teaspoon (optional), for an extra spice level
- Mustard Powder: ½ teaspoon, adds a subtle tang
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon, to enhance flavor
INSTRUCTIONS
- Step 1:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. While the oven heats, whisk together all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
- Step 2:
- Cut the chicken into 2-inch pieces and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Step 3:
- In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs vigorously until they become frothy and uniform in color. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss to coat them evenly in the egg mixture.
- Step 4:
- Heat 1 cup of vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 365 degrees. Just before frying, coat the first batch of chicken with cornstarch, then dip each piece back into the whisked eggs.
- Step 5:
- Fry the chicken in batches, ensuring there's space between each piece for even cooking. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they turn light brown and crispy. Adjust the heat as needed, adding more oil if necessary.
- Step 6:
- Once golden brown, use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the chicken and place it on wire cooling racks. This helps maintain crispiness by allowing excess oil to drip off.
- Step 7:
- After frying all the chicken, transfer it to a large bowl containing the sauce. Gently toss to coat the chicken pieces evenly.
- Step 8:
- Transfer the sauced chicken to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, gently toss again, and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Step 9:
- Remove the dish from the oven and garnish the chicken with chopped green onions. Serve it hot over a bed of white rice for a complete meal.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Serve the Firecracker Chicken over a bed of fluffy white rice for a complete meal.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Helpful Notes
- This recipe can easily be adapted for a lower-carb version by substituting the sugar with a sugar alternative.
- Feel free to adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less buffalo sauce based on your preference.
- Try adding vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli for a more balanced dish.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Chef Gordon Ramsay recommends ensuring your oil is hot enough before adding the chicken to avoid sogginess.
- Chef Ina Garten suggests letting the chicken rest for a few minutes after frying to maintain its juiciness.
- Chef Emeril Lagasse advises using fresh ingredients for the sauce to enhance overall flavor.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- This Firecracker Chicken is not only quick and easy to prepare but also delivers a fantastic flavor profile.
- The combination of crispy chicken and sweet-spicy sauce makes it a crowd-pleaser.
- It's versatile and can be served for casual weeknight dinners or more formal gatherings.
VARIATIONS
- Swap the buffalo sauce for teriyaki sauce for a sweeter, Asian-inspired twist.
- Add crushed peanuts or sesame seeds for an extra crunch.
- Make it a meal by serving it with steamed vegetables alongside the chicken.