This easy and healthy Firecracker Chicken is delicious and satisfying while being made from all natural ingredients. I absolutely love this recipe and so many of you do too, as written in the reviews down below!
Firecracker Chicken
Not only is this dish free of gluten and dairy, it is made up of real ingredients that nourish your body, so you can have your takeout and eat it too! Because of my own allergies, I love to create versions of my favorite meals that I can enjoy without sacrificing any of the flavor. I hope that this recipe helps others like me that want to enjoy their favorite foods!
This recipe is both spicy and sweet all while being crispy and actually very good for you! It is coated in tapioca starch/flour (they can be used interchangeably!) and sweetened naturally with honey. Plus, when made with bone broth (I use Bonafide Provisions brand), it can help to keep your immune system strong, supports a healthy gut and is even a great source of collagen.
Make it Your Own
Don’t eat chicken? Sub it out for tofu! Forgot the broth at the store? Use water! You can also choose whatever sides you’d like to eat it with. From bell peppers to rice or even just on it’s own, you can’t lose!
DIETARY NOTES
This recipe is made with real ingredients and fits seamlessly into the following dietary needs when using the products/brands (or ones that are similar) listed in the recipe:
- gluten free
- dairy free
- soy free
- grain free
- nut free
- paleo
A NOTE ON CALORIE COUNT, NUTRITIONAL INFO AND SERVING SIZES
Due to my past experiences, I do not include most of the above information within my recipes as it is unsafe for me to do so personally. While I try to share a rough estimate when it comes to the serving size, please note that it is very subjective as we all have different hunger levels both from person to person and even from meal to meal.
If any of the above information is important to you, I understand! We are all different and have various goals and needs. If you’d like, you are welcome to calculate the information needed based on the ingredients you use when making one of my recipes.
I hope you understand! This comes from a place of love and protection both for myself and others like me. If you ever have any questions, send me an Instagram message for the quickest response time! Thank you for being here!
Hungry for more?
I love to create versions of the Chinese dishes I grew up loving that fit into my dietary needs now that I’m and my needs have changed. Here are a few more must tries if you love takeout but struggle to find ones that you can enjoy due to any allergies or restrictions!
- General Tso’s Chicken
- Asian-Inspired Turkey Lettuce Wraps
- Orange Chicken
- No Sugar Added Vegan Orange Tofu
- Fried Rice / Fried Orzo
- Chicken Pad Thai
- Asian-Inspired Meatballs
FOLLOW ALONG
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok to see all of the behind the scenes of recipe creation as well as how to videos to watch them come to life! You can also head over to my Pinterest to save all of my recipes in one spot that you plan whip up in the future.
PS – If you make this recipe or any of my other recipes, I would be so grateful if you left a review so I can hear what you think! I also am happy to answer any questions you may have on here, but if you want a quicker response, be sure to shoot me a message on Instagram. Thank you so much and talk soon!
Firecracker Chicken
Ingredients
Firecracker Chicken
- 1 – 1 ½ lbs chicken breast
- 2 tbsp avocado oil (for cooking, can add more as needed)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup tapioca starch/flour (can sub arrowroot)
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 ½ tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp hot sauce (can add more if you like spice)
- 1 tbsp ketchup or tomato paste
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar (sub apple cider vinegar for paleo)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ¼ cup chicken broth, bone broth or water (I use Bonafide Provisions chicken bone broth)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
Thickening Paste
- 2 tbsp chicken broth/bone broth (can sub water)
- 1 tbsp tapioca starch/flour, separated
Toppings (Optional)
- sesame seeds
- green onions
- red pepper flakes
Sides (Optional)
- rice
- broccoli
- bell peppers
Instructions
- Add avocado oil to a skillet on the stove over medium/low heat.
- Cut chicken into bite sizes pieces and set aside.
- Whisk together your egg in a bowl and add in the chicken, covering each piece evenly in the egg wash.
- Add tapioca starch/flour to a large bowl or rimmed plate and transfer each piece of chicken to coat it in the starch/flour.
- Add coated chicken to the skillet with the heated oil to fry/cook. Be sure to flip the chicken so that it cooks and browns on all sides.
- While the chicken cooks, add all sauce ingredients to a bowl and whisk together, then pour it into the skillet over the chicken.
- Toss the chicken with the sauce, then create your thickening paste by combining tapioca startch/flour and broth or water. Stir the paste into the sauce while working quickly to thicken the sauce.
- Allow the chicken and sauce to cook for a few more minutes while simmering and thickening.
- Serve with rice, veggies of choice or even on it's own and top with red pepper flakes, green onion and sesame seeds.
Obsessed! This is the take out dupe you NEED. It was so filling, yet I didn’t feel all heavy and gross like I do after eating take out. It’s light, delicious, and filling!
Ps. It was so good my mom and I couldn’t stop eating it, so we had to rush to make my step dad something else for dinner before he came home
Hi Kelley! Ah this makes me so happy to hear as that’s always my goal! Takeout but make it good for you. 🙂 Just be sure next time to double the batch so your step dad can grab a plate. 😉 Thanks so much for making!
This recipe is so yummy! It’s such a simple recipe and can be done on a night when you don’t have much time. It’s the perfect amount of sweet and spicy, you don’t even realize you’re eating something that isn’t take out!
Hi Emily! I’m so glad you enjoyed the Firecracker Chicken and that the spicy to sweet ratio was perfect for you. 🙂 Thanks for making!
Another amazing recipe by Kayla! This one is true to “getting your fix” and tastes like you’re having Chinese takeout, only you feel great after! It’s full of flavour and it’s nutritious— this will definitely be added into the regular dinner rotation.
Hi Ashley! YES! I’m all about creating recipes that taste like the real deal but are made with cleaned up ingredients to leave you feeling great! Glad you loved it and thank you for making!
OMG. I have been wanting to make one of Kayla’s recipes foreveeerrr and I finally made the firecracker chicken tonight cause I was craving take out.
The ingredients are super healthy and it is SOOOOOO good that you’d never know. I am reviewing it 10 minutes after making cause it’s that good I couldn’t not 😂 super tasty & filling but I don’t feel ‘gross’ after.
I made it with brown rice, bell peppers, broccoli, scallions and sesame seeds. Such a healthy, balanced, and easy week night dinner 🙂
Hi MaryKate! Wow, thank you so much! My main goal is to create better for you versions of meals that taste like the originals we all know and love, so I’m so happy to hear that this hit the mark! Thank you so much for making and loving the Firecracker Chicken!
This was amazing! Perfect amount of heat and the sauce thickens perfectly and so quickly! Highly recommend. Also PSA the General Tso’s chicken is bomb but couldn’t leave a review there 🙂 Both are must makes.
Hi Lauren! So glad you love both this Firecracker Chicken and the General Tso’s Chicken! Thank you so much for making 🙂
If you’re craving Chinese and wine on a Saturday night… this is your go to! We love it and have made it 3x now. Thank you Kayla for the notes on more or less hot sauce (we like mild). Will be in our weekly rotation:)
Hi Ashley! So happy that the Firecracker Chicken has become a staple in your meal rotation and that the notes on spice were helpful! I’m a baby about spice myself so I definitely get it 🙂
Better than any take out!! So full of flavor you won’t even know it’s GF! Was so happy with how quick and easy it was – will certainly be making this one again!
Such a delicious takeout dupe! I felt like I was getting a takeout treat, but didn’t have to spend more money and felt healthy and balanced when I mixed the chicken with broccoli. The flavors are completely spot on with the sweetness and spicyness. Can’t wait to try other recipes!
Hi Stefanie! Yum, the broccoli is a great addition! I am so happy you loved this recipe and can’t wait to see what you try next!
WOW!!! This recipe blew my mind. I was craving Chinese takeout food tonight but I decided after the holidays I should try and eat somewhat healthier…then I came upon this recipe. Let me just say this is SO much better than takeout! You HAVE to try it! 🙂
Hi Jessica! Ah, better than takeout is the best compliment! Thank you so much for making and I’m so happy you loved it!
This was soooo delicious! It was like I was eating takeout Chinese! I made it with Jasmine rice and broccoli! This meal left me satisfied and feeling great. Thanks Kayla for the awesome recipe! 🙂
I’m so glad you loved this recipe and that it left you feeling great, Caitlin! 🙂
I’ve been following Kayla on Instagram for a while and always said I’ll make pretty much all of the recipes she posts but have honestly been too lazy until now…well finally made this and it was AMAZING and so easy. Now I’m going to actually work my way through the other recipes on the blog and I can’t wait!
Hi Kaye! This made me so happy to see! I’m thrilled you found this recipe amazing and easy and I promise that my other recipes are just as doable 🙂 I can’t wait to see what you try next!
This was sooooo yummy. I crave Chinese takeout like twice a week but trying to cut back on eating out and focus on eating healthier alternatives to my favorites. This really hit the spot. Just enough spicy and sweet to satisfy my craving, and knowing that the only added sugar is in the honey (I opted to use no-sugar hot sauce and tomato paste instead of ketchup) makes me feel way better about my choices. I served with rice and some sautéed asparagus! Delicious!
Hi Abby! That’s exactly why I created this recipe, to satisfy my craving! Also love that you used no sugar hot sauce, that’s what we use too! And the tomato paste is a perfect sub for ketchup! Thanks so much for making and I’m so glad you loved it 🙂
Does anyone have a recommendation on what kind of hot sauce to use? Sriracha, Tapatio, Tabasco etc. thanks!
Hi Molly! Are you looking for a certain allergy or dietary preference? I love the brand The New Primal but will also use Frank’s Red Hot Original or Cholula for my gluten allergy and to keep in line with the Whole30 program. Let me know if you need further input! 🙂
10 stars! Delicious and perfect for my entire family! A hit like this is hard to come by. I first meal prepped it for myself and then my husband and boys stole it – I already know I’ll be making this often!
A meal stolen by the boys and husband is the ultimate compliment! Thank you sooo much for making & loving this dish! 🙂
This was better than any dish I’ve ordered at a Chinese restaurant. It was fun to make and was beyond delicious. This will be on rotation in my kitchen. It was a pure crowd pleaser.
Wow what a compliment! So happy to hear that, Janet. 🙂 Thank you so much!