Description
Firecracker Chicken is a spicy, flavorful baked chicken dish coated in a tangy sauce made from garlic, ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, and hot spices like red pepper flakes and Sriracha. This recipe is quick to prepare and perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner served alongside rice or vegetables.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless (about 1 1/2 lbs)
Firecracker Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce such as Sriracha
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Optional Garnish
- 1 green onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Mix sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, ginger, olive oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, and black pepper until combined.
- Prepare chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the firecracker sauce over the chicken and brush it evenly over the entire surface. Flip the chicken breasts and pour the remaining sauce over the other side. Brush or spoon the sauce from the pan to fully coat the chicken on both sides.
- Bake: Transfer the uncovered baking dish to the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the chicken is completely opaque and an instant-read thermometer registers between 165 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Baking time may vary depending on thickness.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onion and parsley if desired. Serve with your favorite side dish such as rice or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Adjust spice level by reducing or increasing red pepper flakes and hot sauce according to preference.
- Chicken thighs or drumsticks can be used instead of breasts; add extra baking time and ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- For make-ahead convenience, marinate chicken in sauce up to 1 day in advance and bake directly from the fridge, adding 5 extra minutes to cooking time.
- The chicken can be frozen baked or unbaked for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven for best flavor.
- Serve with sides like rice, slaw, or roasted vegetables to complement the sticky-sweet and spicy sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (about 6 oz)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
