Ever have one of those days when you’re craving something spicy, savory, and a little bit sweet—but you absolutely refuse to spend hours in the kitchen? Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry is the answer to all your dinner dilemmas!
This dish is a powerhouse of bold flavors, sizzling veggies, and tender chicken, all tossed in a fiery, glossy sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance. Whether you’re wrangling kids, hustling after work, or just tired of takeout, this stir fry is the quick, crowd-pleasing recipe you didn’t know you needed.
And let’s be real—anything called Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry deserves a spot on your weekly meal plan just for the name alone.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry
- Fast and Fabulous: Dinner’s on the table in under 30 minutes. Boom!
- Customizable Heat: Like it mild? Easy. Craving more kick? Bring on the sriracha and crushed red pepper.
- Veggie Heaven: Perfect way to sneak in those veggies without feeling like you’re eating rabbit food.
- No-Fuss Ingredients: No fancy gadgets or hard-to-find items—just everyday staples.
- Meal-Prep Friendly: Tastes even better the next day (if there’s any left).
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s chat about what goes into making this magical stir fry. Feel free to swap things out based on what’s lurking in your fridge:
- Chicken: 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces. Boneless thighs work great, or even ground chicken, turkey, or beef if that’s what you’ve got.
- Veggies: I used red and yellow bell peppers and sugar snap peas. But honestly, the sky’s the limit—broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, mushrooms, green beans… all fair game.
- Soy Sauce: I’m a low-sodium gal, but regular works fine. Or use coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
- Sesame Oil: Adds nutty, toasty depth. Totally optional, but highly recommended.
- Honey: A hint of sweetness to balance the heat. Maple syrup or brown sugar also work.
- Sriracha: The fire in firecracker! Adjust to taste.
- Tomato Paste: Adds umami and thickens the sauce without cornstarch.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: For that tangy punch.
- Garlic: Fresh minced is best, but garlic powder will do in a pinch.
- Seasonings: Crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Olive Oil: For cooking.
- Green Onions (Scallions): For garnish.
- Rice: Optional, but highly encouraged for serving.
How to Make Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry
1. Cook the Chicken
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken pieces in a single layer.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and cooked through.
- Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
Aneta’s Tip: Don’t overcrowd your skillet, or your chicken will steam instead of sear. We want that gorgeous golden color!
2. Sauté the Veggies
- Drizzle another tablespoon olive oil into the same skillet.
- Toss in bell peppers and sugar snap peas.
- Stir-fry for 4–5 minutes until tender-crisp and bright.
3. Make the Firecracker Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together:
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Honey
- Sriracha
- Tomato paste
- Apple cider vinegar
- Minced garlic
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Black pepper
4. Stir Fry Everything
- Return chicken to the skillet.
- Pour the firecracker sauce over everything.
- Stir well to coat.
- Bring sauce to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until sauce thickens slightly and everything is glossy and coated.
- Sprinkle sliced green onions over the top.
Serve hot over rice—or skip the rice if you’re low-carb or feeling virtuous.
Aneta’s Little Story
The first time I made this Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry was on a hectic Tuesday night when my kids were practically swinging from the ceiling fans and I was running dangerously low on patience (and groceries!). One spicy, sweet stir fry later, and not only did the kids devour it, but my husband actually said, “You should put this on the blog.”
So here it is—my chaos-tested, family-approved favorite!
Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Tips
- Spice Control: Start with half the sriracha if you’re spice-sensitive. You can always add more!
- Veggie Flexibility: This stir fry forgives nearly any vegetable substitution. Got a sad-looking zucchini? Slice it up and toss it in!
- Batch Cooking: Double the sauce and freeze half for a super-speedy dinner next week.
- Protein Swap: Try shrimp, tofu, or even thinly sliced beef for a tasty twist.
Aneta’s Giggle: Don’t panic if your sauce looks a bit thick at first. Once it hits the heat, it smooths out like magic!
FAQs About Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry
Can I use ground chicken instead of chunks?
Absolutely! Ground chicken works great and makes the dish even faster to cook.
Is Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry very spicy?
It can be—but it doesn’t have to be! Adjust sriracha and red pepper flakes to your liking.
How should I store leftovers?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Can I freeze this stir fry?
Yes! Freeze it in portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat.
Bring the Firecracker Fun to Your Table
There’s something magical about Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry—the perfect combo of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors that makes your mouth do a happy dance. And the best part? You can whip it up faster than it takes to scroll through your streaming queue deciding what to watch.
So next time you’re craving big flavors without big effort, give this Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry a try. Your taste buds (and your busy schedule) will thank you!
Craving More Flavorful Chicken Dishes?
If this Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry lit up your tastebuds, you’ll love exploring more delicious chicken recipes right here on Chicken Magic Recipes. Here are some tasty adventures you might enjoy next:
- Spice things up even further with my bold and savory Mango Chicken Stir Fry, perfect for when you’re craving sweet heat in a flash.
- Keep the stir-fry vibes going with this quick and tasty Chicken and Snow Peas Stir Fry for another weeknight dinner win.
- Dive into big, Korean-inspired flavors with these juicy Gochujang Chicken Burgers with Kimchi Jam—a spicy, tangy twist on classic burgers.
- Or treat yourself to a savory noodle fix with my easy Garlic Chicken Lo Mein, bursting with garlicky goodness and colorful veggies.
Happy cooking—and may your kitchen always be filled with sizzling, magical flavors!
Print
Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry bursts with spicy, sweet, and savory flavors in a quick, colorful meal. Perfect for busy nights and loaded with crisp veggies and tender chicken!
Ingredients
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
1 cup sugar snap peas (or snow peas)
3 green onions, sliced (plus more for garnish)
Firecracker Sauce:
¼ cup low sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
1 tbsp sesame oil (optional)
3 tbsp honey (or maple syrup or brown sugar)
2 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook 4–5 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
Add remaining olive oil to the skillet. Sauté bell peppers and sugar snap peas for 4–5 minutes until crisp-tender.
Meanwhile, whisk together all firecracker sauce ingredients in a bowl.
Return chicken to the skillet. Pour sauce over chicken and veggies, stirring to coat.
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer until sauce thickens slightly.
Sprinkle with sliced green onions. Serve hot over rice.
Notes
Adjust the sriracha and red pepper flakes for your preferred spice level.
Swap chicken for shrimp, tofu, or thinly sliced beef for variation.
Perfect for meal prep—leftovers taste even better!
Serve with steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg