Description
Firecracker Chicken with Rice is a bold, spicy, and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken coated in a tangy, fiery sauce served over fluffy rice. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for quick weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup, offering a protein-rich, balanced meal that can be easily customized to suit all tastes and dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Base
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced
- 2 cups cooked white or jasmine rice
Sauces and Flavorings
- 2 tbsp sriracha sauce
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari if needed)
Aromatics and Seasonings
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes (optional)
Cooking Oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces, mince garlic and ginger, and slice green onions. Measure out the sauces to have everything ready for cooking.
- Cook the Rice: Prepare rice according to package instructions or reheat leftover rice gently on the stove or in the microwave.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Make the Firecracker Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together sriracha, honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and optional chili flakes. Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken and stir well to coat evenly.
- Simmer and Thicken: Let the chicken and sauce cook together for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and clings to every piece.
- Serve Over Rice: Plate a generous serving of rice, top with the firecracker chicken, and sprinkle with chopped green onions. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Marinate chicken briefly in some sauce before cooking to boost flavor.
- Sear chicken on high heat for a caramelized crust and juiciness.
- Always use fresh garlic and ginger for optimal flavor.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook chicken in batches if necessary for even browning.
- Adjust spice level gradually by tasting as you cook.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing/Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: firecracker chicken, spicy chicken, quick chicken recipe, chicken with rice, weeknight dinner, gluten free dinner, one-pan chicken
