Firecracker Chicken
Try this Firecracker Chicken recipe, or contribute your own.
Try this Firecracker Chicken recipe, or contribute your own.
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 4 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp black sesame seeds
- 1 tsp white sesame seeds
- chicken and marinade:
- pinch of white pepper
- to serve:
- 2 garlic cloves peeled and minced
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 red chilli chopped finely
- wedges of lime
- 1 tbsp chilli sauce – i used sriracha
- 3 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp malt vinegar
- 1 tbsp tamarind paste
- 3 medium sized chicken breasts (all visible fat removed) sliced into bite-size chunks
- stir fry:
- 1 medium white onion peeled and sliced into wedges
- 1 red bell pepper (seeds removed) chopped into chunks
- 1 green bell pepper (seeds removed) chopped into chunks
- 1 cup of mangetout/snow peas
- 12 dried arbol chillies
- small bunch of spring onions/scallions chopped
- splash of water (optional)
- boiled long grain rice
- 1.5 tsp shichimi powder (you can buy it here for uk and he
- Carbohydrate 33.7285257397629 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 27.8178584766319 g
- Fiber 0.845494031668185 g
- Protein 2.10084334237267 g
- Saturated Fat 3.62146442680041 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (111g)
- Sodium 1019.25988707986 mg
- Sugar 32.8830317080947 g
- Trans Fat 1.34783535552718 g
- Calories 383 calories
Step-by-step
- Place all of the marinade ingredients into a large bowl and mix together.
- Add the chicken, then cover with plastic wrap and marinade for at least an hour (or up to overnight).
- Cook your rice as per pack instructions.
- Whilst the rice is cooking, heat the oil on a high heat in a wok or large frying pan/skillet until hot.
- Scoop the chicken out of the marinade with a slotted spoon and cook in the wok until slightly browned, and almost cooked right through.
- Add in the chopped onion and cook for a further 2 minutes to soften the onion slightly.
- Add in the marinade and heat through whilst stirring until bubbling throughout. It's important to ensure all of the sauce has been completely cooked through, as it's had the raw chicken in it.
- Add in the peppers, mangetout/snow peas and dried chillies.
- Cook for a minute, then stir through the spring onions/scallions.
- Add a splash of water to the sauce if it needs loosening up.
- Check one of the larger pieces of chicken to ensure it’s cooked in the middle. Then turn off the heat.
- Take your boiled rice and spoon it into a small bowl.
- Push it down with the back of a spoon, then place a serving plate on top and turn the whole thing over.
- Tap the bowl to release the mound of rice.
- Repeat until you have four plates of rice.
- Spoon the firecracker chicken around the rice and then sprinkle the top of the rice with the shichimi powder and the sesame seeds.
- Top the rice with a wedge of lime and serve!
My Go-To Firecracker Chicken Recipe
As a busy working mom, I need recipes that are quick, flavorful, and satisfying. This Firecracker Chicken fits the bill perfectly! It's a vibrant dish bursting with sweet, spicy, and savory notes that even the pickiest eaters in my family adore. The best part? It's surprisingly easy to make, even on a weeknight when time is precious. I often make a double batch – one for dinner and another for quick lunches throughout the week. The leftovers are just as delicious cold as they are hot, making it a fantastic recipe for meal prepping.
The secret to this dish is the marinade. The combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, fish sauce, and a generous kick of chili creates a flavor explosion that coats the chicken beautifully. Marinating the chicken for at least an hour (or longer if you have time) ensures the flavors really penetrate, resulting in incredibly tender and juicy chicken. I personally like to marinate it overnight in the fridge – that way all the flavors have time to melt into one another.
The stir-fry itself comes together quickly. Once the chicken is marinated, it's just a matter of stir-frying it until cooked through, then adding the vegetables and sauce. I love using bell peppers, snow peas, and spring onions for their vibrant colors and fresh taste. The dried arbol chilies add a subtle heat that complements the other flavors perfectly. Of course, you can always adjust the amount of chili to your preference, making this recipe easily adaptable to different spice tolerances.
I typically serve this Firecracker Chicken over rice, creating a complete and balanced meal. The slightly sweet and savory rice is the perfect counterpoint to the spicy chicken, and I often add a squeeze of lime juice at the end for an extra zing. This dish is also great served with noodles, or even as a filling for tacos. The possibilities are endless!
Ingredient Spotlight: Shichimi Togarashi
One ingredient that elevates this dish to the next level is shichimi togarashi, a Japanese seven-spice blend. It adds a unique complexity of flavor and a delightful bit of texture. It’s a simple addition, but it makes a huge difference in the overall taste. If you can't find shichimi togarashi, you can substitute with a blend of red pepper flakes, black sesame seeds, and white sesame seeds. But, trust me, the real shichimi togarashi adds an unparalleled depth of flavor.
Tips and Variations
For a spicier kick: Add more chili flakes or a spicier chili sauce to the marinade.
For a milder flavor: Reduce the amount of chili sauce or omit the dried chilies altogether.
For extra vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or mushrooms.
For a vegetarian option: Substitute the chicken with tofu or firm tempeh.
For a make-ahead meal: Marinate the chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Then, simply stir-fry the chicken and vegetables when you're ready to cook.
Beyond the Plate: Sharing the Firecracker Flavor
This Firecracker Chicken isn't just a delicious meal; it's a culinary adventure. The vibrant colors, the tantalizing aromas, and the explosion of flavors make it a true feast for the senses. It's a recipe that I often share with friends and family, and it’s always a hit. It’s perfect for potlucks, gatherings, or simply a delicious family dinner.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and adaptability. It's a blank canvas that allows you to experiment with different ingredients and flavors, making it your own. So, grab your wok, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create a Firecracker Chicken masterpiece that will leave everyone wanting more! It's a recipe that will undoubtedly become a staple in your culinary repertoire.
