Firecracker Chicken
Sweet, spicy, and sticky, this Firecracker Chicken is baked (not fried!) in just 30 minutes. Juicy chicken breasts are coated in a sweet heat sauce made with Sriracha, garlic, and brown sugar, making it perfect for weeknights when you need dinner fast but still crave bold flavor.
Servings: 4
Calories: 352kcal
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless (about 1 1/2 lbs)
Firecracker Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger fresh, chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce low sodium
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce such as Sriracha
- 1 teaspoon black pepper ground
Optional Garnish
- 1 green onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon parsley fresh, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450℉.
- In a small bowl whisk all the sauce ingredients together until combined.
- Place chicken in a 9x13-inch baking dish and pour half the sauce over the chicken. Brush the sauce evenly over the entire surface of the chicken. Flip the chicken breasts over and pour remaining sauce over. Brush or spoon sauce from the pan over the chicken, making sure it's fully covered.
- Transfer the baking dish, uncovered, to the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 25 minutes. The baking time could different depending on the thickness of the chicken breast. The breast is cooked when it's completely opaque all the way through and registers 165℉ to 170℉ on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite side dish.
Video
Notes
- Adjusting Spice: Cut back on red pepper flakes and hot sauce for mild, or double it for the spice lovers.
- Chicken Options: Breasts cook fastest, but thighs or drumsticks work too, just add extra minutes and check for 165°F.
- Make Ahead: Mix sauce and marinate chicken up to a day ahead. Bake straight from the fridge (add 5 extra minutes).
- Freezing: Freeze baked or unbaked up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge and reheat in the oven for best results.
- Serving Idea: Pair with rice, slaw, or roasted veggies to soak up all that sticky‑sweet sauce.
Nutrition
Serving: 1breast | Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 826mg | Potassium: 676mg | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 310IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1.2mg
