There’s something so satisfying about a spicy, sweet, and zesty stir fry that hits all the notes, and this Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe truly delivers. It’s a perfect weeknight meal that’s packed with bold flavors and colorful veggies—trust me, it’s worth the few minutes it takes to whip up!

This is a close-up of a black pan filled with stir-fried pieces of cooked light brown chicken mixed with bright green snap peas, thin slices of red and yellow bell peppers, and green onion pieces. The chicken pieces have a slightly shiny, cooked texture and are mixed throughout the vibrant green vegetables. The pan is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Whenever I make this Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe, it immediately becomes a favorite in the house. The balance of spicy heat with sweet honey and bright vinegar keeps things exciting for your taste buds, while the quick cook time means dinner’s on the table fast.

Flavor Explosion: The sauce has just the right kick of sriracha paired with honey’s sweetness, making every bite vibrant.
Quick and Easy: Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy nights when you want something special without the fuss.
Fresh and Colorful: The crisp sugar snap peas and bell peppers add great texture and freshness.
Highly Customizable: You can easily tweak the heat level or swap veggies based on what you have on hand.

The image shows a black pan filled with stir-fried slices of cooked light brown chicken mix, bright green sugar snap peas, and thin strips of red and yellow bell peppers. The chicken pieces are glossy and scattered evenly throughout the pan, mixed with crisp vegetables that add color contrast. A wooden spoon with some sauce on it is resting inside the pan on the left side. The pan sits on a cloth over a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe plays a role in creating that perfect harmony of flavors and texture. From the tender chicken to the punchy sauce, here’s a quick peek into why they make this dish shine.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces, a whole red bell pepper sliced, a whole yellow bell pepper sliced, a small handful of fresh sugar snap peas, three fresh green onions sliced, three whole garlic cloves unpeeled, a small white bowl of pure soy sauce, a small white bowl of golden honey, a small white bowl of bright red sriracha, a small white bowl of deep red tomato paste, a small white bowl of pale apple cider vinegar, a small white bowl of dark sesame oil, a small white bowl of crushed red pepper flakes, a small white bowl of black pepper, two tablespoons of golden olive oil in a small white bowl, with a small pinch of coarse salt crystals in a white bowl, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: They cook quickly and soak up the delicious sauce, staying juicy when cut into bite-sized pieces.
Red and yellow bell peppers: These add sweetness and vibrant color, plus a nice crunch after a quick sauté.
Sugar snap peas: Their natural crispness brings freshness and a little snap that contrasts the sauciness.
Green onions: They top the dish with a mild onion flavor and some bright green color.
Soy sauce: Provides a salty, umami base that ties everything together.
Honey: Balances out the heat with natural sweetness.
Sriracha: Gives that iconic “firecracker” spicy kick, but you can adjust it if you prefer less heat.
Tomato paste: Adds depth and a hint of umami that enriches the sauce.
Apple cider vinegar: Brings brightness and a touch of tang to cut through the richness.
Sesame oil: Lends a nutty aroma and rounds out the flavors beautifully.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic makes the dish pop with savory goodness.
Crushed red pepper flakes and black pepper: These pack additional heat and spice layers that build flavor complexity.
Olive oil: A reliable cooking oil here to help sear the chicken and sauté the veggies.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love mixing things up with this Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe depending on what’s in my fridge. It’s easy to customize to fit your heat preference or whatever veggies you want to spotlight—there’s plenty of room to make it your own!

Variation: Once, I swapped sugar snap peas for broccoli florets and added sliced mushrooms—totally delicious and just as crunchy.
Mild Version: If you prefer less heat, cut the sriracha in half and skip the crushed red pepper flakes. You’ll still get big flavor without the burn.
Vegetarian Twist: Try it with tofu in place of chicken, pressing it first so it soaks up all that amazing firecracker sauce.
Extra Sauce: If you like things saucier, double the sauce ingredients and keep some handy for drizzling over rice.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

Step 1: Sear the Chicken to Perfection

First things first: heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat in your skillet until it’s shimmering. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer—don’t crowd the pan to ensure they brown nicely. Season lightly with salt and pepper. It takes about 4 to 5 minutes to get a light golden color. Stir occasionally to cook evenly but give them some space to develop that lovely sear. Once cooked through, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies Just Right

Drizzle the second tablespoon of olive oil into the same hot skillet, then toss in your bell peppers and sugar snap peas. Stir them frequently—it should take about 4 to 5 minutes for the veggies to become tender but still retain a satisfying crunch. That slight snap and color are key to keeping the dish fresh and vibrant.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Firecracker Sauce

While the veggies cook, mix up the sauce in a small bowl. Combine soy sauce, honey, sriracha, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Whisk it well—you’ll notice the sauce is thick and glossy, which helps coat everything beautifully once added back to the pan.

Step 4: Bring It All Together and Simmer

Add the chicken back into the pan with the veggies, then pour over your firecracker sauce. Stir vigorously to make sure every bite is coated. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the sauce thickens and clings to the chicken and vegetables. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes—keep an eye on it so it doesn’t stick or burn. That glaze is going to make your taste buds sing!

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Serve the Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry over fluffy steamed rice. Sprinkle sliced green onions on top for a fresh bite and beautiful color contrast. Dig in while it’s hot—you’ve earned this flavorful, saucy dish!

Top Tip

After making this Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe several times, I’ve learned a few key tricks that really elevate it and keep the cooking smooth—especially when you’re juggling dinner on a busy evening.

Don’t Crowded the Pan: Giving the chicken room to sear properly helps it brown and develop flavor instead of steaming.
Prep All Ingredients Ahead: Have your chicken cut, veggies sliced, and sauce whisked before you start cooking; stir fry moves fast!
Watch the Sauce Thickness: Simmer just long enough to thicken—not too long or it can get sticky and overpowering.
Adjust Spice Gradually: I add sriracha bit by bit and taste as I go, so it’s never too fiery for my guests.

How to Serve Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

Firecracker Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top my firecracker stir fry with fresh sliced green onions. Sometimes, I add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for extra nuttiness and texture—it’s such a nice touch. If you like an extra pop of heat, a few thinly sliced fresh chili rings can be stunning.

Side Dishes

Steamed jasmine or basmati rice pairs perfectly to soak up the sauce. If you want to round out the meal, a simple cucumber salad or steamed broccoli works beautifully. Occasionally, I enjoy serving it with fried rice for something heartier.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I like to serve the stir fry family-style in a big colorful platter with extra sauce on the side. Using a vibrant serving dish makes the colors pop and turns dinner into a celebration. You could also wrap the stir fry in lettuce cups for a fun finger-food twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The chicken stays juicy, and the veggies keep a nice bite, especially when reheated gently.

Freezing

This Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe freezes fairly well. Just make sure it’s completely cooled before freezing in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results and reheat gently so the veggies don’t get mushy.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or extra soy sauce to loosen the sauce. This keeps the chicken tender and revives the veggies’ texture better than microwaving alone.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great alternative because they stay juicy and flavorful. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces and cook until nicely browned and cooked through.

How spicy is the Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe?

The recipe has a medium heat level thanks to the sriracha and crushed red pepper flakes, but you can easily adjust the spice by reducing or increasing these ingredients to suit your taste.

Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?

Yes! The firecracker sauce can be whisked together a day ahead and stored in the fridge. This makes the cooking process even faster when you’re ready to whip up the stir fry.

What can I use instead of sugar snap peas?

Sugar snap peas add crunch and freshness, but you can substitute them with green beans, snow peas, or even thinly sliced zucchini depending on your preference or what you have on hand.

Final Thoughts

This Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe holds a special spot on my busy-weeknight dinner list—it’s quick, flavorful, and never fails to impress anyone at the table. Sharing it with you feels like inviting you over to my kitchen for a lively chat and a delicious meal. Give it a try, and I’m confident you’ll be reaching for this recipe again and again.