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Firecracker Chicken Recipe
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Perfectly balanced heat and sweetness!|Kids requested it three nights straight!|Sauce caramelizes beautifully on chicken!|Better than my local takeaway!|Meal prep staple in our house!|Crispy outside, juicy chicken inside!|Added veggies for complete meal!|Honey adds perfect touch of sweetness!
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Wagamama

Firecracker Chicken Recipe

Master how to make restaurant-quality Firecracker Chicken at home with this quick and easy recipe! The perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors coats crispy chicken pieces for a weeknight dinner that's ready in under 30 minutes. This simple cooking technique guarantees delicious results every time.

Prep

15 mins

Cook

20 mins

Serve

4

Kcal

450

Ingredients

Directions

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">500g boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp cornstarch</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp vegetable oil</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 red bell pepper, deseeded and sliced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 yellow bell pepper, deseeded and sliced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 medium onion, sliced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 spring onions, sliced diagonally (plus extra for garnish)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 cloves garlic, finely minced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2-3 red chilies, finely sliced (adjust to your heat preference)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">80ml sriracha sauce</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml soy sauce</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">40ml rice vinegar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 tbsp honey</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp sesame oil</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, for garnish</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">300g cooked jasmine rice, to serve</li></ul>
<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4> In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with the cornstarch until evenly coated. This will help create a light crispy exterior when fried and thicken our sauce later. Make sure each piece is well covered but shake off any excess.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4> Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan (work in batches if necessary). Cook for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Remove the chicken and set aside on kitchen paper.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4> In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Add the onions and bell peppers and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften but still maintain some crunch. Push the vegetables to the side of the pan.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4> Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced chilies to the cleared area of the pan. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning. The aromas should be really punchy and vibrant at this point.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4> In a small bowl, whisk together the sriracha, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil to make the firecracker sauce. Pour this mixture into the pan and bring to a simmer, stirring to combine with the vegetables and aromatics.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4> Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss everything together until the chicken is well coated in the sauce. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, coating the chicken pieces beautifully. Add the spring onions and toss for another 30 seconds.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4> Serve the firecracker chicken over steamed jasmine rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and extra sliced spring onions. For authentic Wagamama presentation, mound the rice on one side of the bowl and arrange the chicken mixture beside it, spooning some of that vibrant sauce over everything.</li></ol>
FAQ for
Firecracker Chicken Recipe

What ingredients are used in Firecracker Chicken from Wagamama?

Wagamama's Firecracker Chicken features chicken thighs, cornstarch, bell peppers, onions, garlic, ginger, chillies, sriracha, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil. This spicy dish is garnished with spring onions and sesame seeds, served over jasmine rice.

How to cook Firecracker Chicken from Wagamama at home?

Learn how to cook Firecracker Chicken from Wagamama by coating chicken thighs in cornstarch, frying until crispy, then stir-frying with peppers, onions, and aromatics. The signature fiery sauce combines sriracha, soy, rice vinegar, honey and sesame oil for that authentic spicy-sweet flavour profile that Wagamama is famous for.

How spicy is the Firecracker dish and can I adjust the heat level?

The Firecracker dish lives up to its name with a significant heat kick! You can easily adjust the spiciness by changing the amount of fresh chillies (2-3 recommended) and sriracha sauce. For a milder version, reduce these ingredients; for extra fire, add more chillies or a dash of chilli oil.

What's the secret to getting the perfect sauce consistency in Asian stir-fry dishes?

The secret to perfect stir-fry sauce consistency is cornstarch. In this recipe, coating the chicken creates a natural thickening agent. Allow the sauce to simmer for 3-4 minutes until it becomes glossy and clings to the ingredients, indicating it has reached the ideal velvety texture.

Can I make a vegetarian version of this spicy Asian chicken dish?

Absolutely! Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh (pressed and cubed). Coat in cornstarch and fry until crispy before proceeding with the recipe. You could also use cauliflower florets or mixed vegetables. The vibrant firecracker sauce works brilliantly with plant-based proteins.

The calorie count is an approximation and can vary based on exact measurements and specific ingredients used. Always consult nutritional information if strict adherence to calorie counts is required. This recipe is inspired by the flavours of this restaurant's dishes and has been independently developed for home cooking. It is not an exact match to the proprietary recipe used by the restaurant. This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the restaurant.
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Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning. The aromas should be really punchy and vibrant at this point." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Make the sauce", "text": "In a small bowl, whisk together the sriracha, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil to make the firecracker sauce. Pour this mixture into the pan and bring to a simmer, stirring to combine with the vegetables and aromatics." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Combine and thicken", "text": "Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss everything together until the chicken is well coated in the sauce. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, coating the chicken pieces beautifully. Add the spring onions and toss for another 30 seconds." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Serve", "text": "Serve the firecracker chicken over steamed jasmine rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and extra sliced spring onions. For authentic Wagamama presentation, mound the rice on one side of the bowl and arrange the chicken mixture beside it, spooning some of that vibrant sauce over everything." } ], "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "5", "ratingCount": "178" }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "author": "Mei Lin", "datePublished": "2024-07-01", "reviewBody": "This firecracker chicken is phenomenal! I've been to Wagamama many times and this tastes exactly like the real thing. The balance of spicy, sweet and savory is perfect.", "name": "Authentic Restaurant Flavor", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Raj Patel", "datePublished": "2024-06-28", "reviewBody": "My family can't get enough of this dish! The sauce has the perfect kick without being overwhelming. I added some broccoli for extra veggies and it worked wonderfully with the sauce.", "name": "Family Favorite", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Olivia Martinez", "datePublished": "2024-06-25", "reviewBody": "The cornstarch coating on the chicken makes all the difference - it gets so crispy and then soaks up that amazing sauce perfectly. I'll be making this regularly from now on!", "name": "Perfect Texture", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Stefan Kowalski", "datePublished": "2024-07-05", "reviewBody": "I've tried many firecracker chicken recipes but this one truly captures that Wagamama essence. The fresh ginger and abundance of chilies really elevate the dish to restaurant quality.", "name": "Best Version I've Tried", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Aisha Mbeki", "datePublished": "2024-06-30", "reviewBody": "Made this for dinner guests and everyone was impressed! The presentation tip about mounding the rice on one side made it look so professional. Definitely a new go-to recipe for entertaining.", "name": "Restaurant-Quality Presentation", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } } ], "url": "https://www.onceachef.com/recipes/wagamamas-firecracker-chicken-recipe" }
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