There’s something about that perfect combo of sweet, spicy, and savory that just hits all the right notes—exactly why I’m excited to share this Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe with you. It’s quick, colorful, and packs a punch that keeps dinner interesting any night of the week.

The image shows a black pan filled with stir-fried dish made of many thin pieces of light brown cooked chicken, bright green snap peas, and strips of red and yellow bell peppers. The chicken pieces are mixed evenly with the vegetables, all coated in a glossy brown sauce. The snap peas are shiny and fresh looking, some cut diagonally, and the bell pepper strips add a pop of color around the pan. Small slices of green onion are scattered on top, adding a fresh green touch. The pan rests on a white marbled surface, making the colors of the food stand out clearly. 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

I first made this Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe on a weeknight when I had almost no time but wanted something that felt a bit special. What I ended up with was this vibrant, spicy-sweet stir fry that’s become a fast favorite around here. It’s one of those dinners you’ll want to make again and again.

Quick and easy: Ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights when you still want bold flavors.
Vibrant veggies: The colorful bell peppers and sugar snap peas add crunch and freshness that balance the sauce beautifully.
Flavor explosion: The sauce is that perfect combo of sweet honey, tangy vinegar, and a spicy kick from sriracha and red pepper flakes.
Super adaptable: You can easily swap veggies or proteins to make it your own without losing that amazing “firecracker” vibe.

The image shows a black pan filled with a stir fry. The dish has three main layers: at the bottom is a sauce with a shiny brown color covering the pan, the middle layer has sliced pieces of cooked chicken with a light brown, slightly glossy texture, and the top layer includes green snap peas, bright red bell pepper strips, and yellow bell pepper strips scattered evenly throughout. A wooden spoon is lifting some of the stir fry on the left side. The pan is resting on a light gray cloth on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe plays on the classic stir fry combo: tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a sauce bursting with contrasting tastes. Each ingredient is well chosen to give you layers of flavor and texture.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces, a small mound of coarse sea salt and black peppercorns, a sliced red bell pepper, a sliced yellow bell pepper, a handful of fresh sugar snap peas, three green onions cut into rings, a small white bowl of glossy dark soy sauce, a small white bowl of golden honey, a small white bowl of bright red sriracha, a small white bowl of thick deep red tomato paste, a small white bowl of amber apple cider vinegar, a small white bowl with rich brown sesame oil, three fresh garlic cloves peeled and whole, a small white bowl of crushed red pepper flakes, placed 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

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Easy to cook evenly and remain juicy; cutting into 1-inch pieces helps them cook quickly and absorb the sauce.
Olive oil: For sautéing — a neutral and healthy oil that browns the chicken nicely.
Red and yellow bell peppers: Bright, sweet, and crunchy, they bring a wonderful color pop and freshness.
Sugar snap peas: Adds a crisp, slightly sweet bite – a perfect contrast to the rich sauce.
Green onions: For a mild, fresh onion flavor and pretty garnish.
Soy sauce: The salty-savory backbone of the sauce.
Honey: Balances the heat with subtle sweetness.
Sriracha: Brings that signature heat and complexity.
Tomato paste: Adds a deep umami flavor and thickens the sauce.
Apple cider vinegar: Provides a bright tang to cut through the richness.
Sesame oil: Gives the sauce a nutty fragrance and authentic stir fry feel.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic amps up the savory depth.
Crushed red pepper flakes: Extra spicy kick that you can adjust.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle warming spice to round out the seasonings.

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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

One of my favorite things about this Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I’ve swapped in shrimp or tofu when I wanted a change, or added extra veggies when the fridge was looking sparse. Feel free to adjust the heat and sweetness to suit your taste!

Variation: When I want a greener profile, I add broccoli florets or bok choy—both hold up well to stir-frying and soak up the sauce beautifully.
For less heat: Cut back on the sriracha and red pepper flakes, or substitute with a milder chili sauce.
Make it gluten-free: Just use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce without missing a beat.

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

Step 1: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection

Get your skillet hot over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to coat the pan. Once shimmering, add your seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan—that helps them brown beautifully rather than steam. Stir occasionally and let those little edges crisp until golden, around 4-5 minutes. Once cooked through, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. This step is crucial because it locks in flavor and keeps the chicken tender.

Step 2: Cook the Veggies Until Tender-Crisp

Drizzle the remaining olive oil into the same skillet and add the sliced red and yellow bell peppers along with sugar snap peas. Stir frequently to prevent burning and cook for roughly 4-5 minutes until they’re vibrant and tender but still have a nice snap. This keeps the dish lively and balances the spicy sauce well.

Step 3: Whisk Together That Legendary Firecracker Sauce

While the veggies soften, mix up the sauce in a small bowl: soy sauce, honey, sriracha, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Whisk until everything comes together into a smooth, glossy sauce. This blend is the heart of the recipe—sweet, tangy, and spicy all at once.

Step 4: Bring It All Together & Simmer to Finish

Return the chicken to the skillet with your veggies and give everything a good toss. Pour your firecracker sauce over the mix and stir to coat every bit. Turn up the heat to bring it to a boil, then lower to a simmer so the sauce thickens and clings. It usually takes a couple of minutes, and you’ll want to stir frequently to avoid sticking or burning. When the sauce is shiny and reduced a bit—it’s ready!

Step 5: Serve Hot and Enjoy!

Spoon the stir fry over hot rice (jasmine or brown both work great!) and sprinkle sliced green onions on top for a fresh punch. Then, dig in and savor that perfect balance—we all need a little firecracker moment now and then!

Top Tip

After making this recipe several times, I realized these little pointers really up the game and keep the cooking smooth.

Don’t overcrowd the pan: Searing the chicken in batches if necessary lets it brown properly and keeps it juicy.
Prep all ingredients first: Stir frying happens fast, so have everything measured, chopped, and ready before heating the pan.
Adjust heat carefully: The sriracha and red pepper flakes deliver heat, so start with less and add more after tasting if you prefer it spicier.
Let the sauce reduce: Don’t rush the simmer—thickened sauce gives your stir fry that glossy, restaurant-quality finish.

How to Serve Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

Firecracker Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I keep it simple here with sliced green onions for that fresh, subtle bite. Sometimes, I like to add toasted sesame seeds for texture and a slight nuttiness—it’s an easy step that makes a difference and looks pretty too.

Side Dishes

This stir fry pairs beautifully with fluffy jasmine rice or brown rice for a fiber boost. If I’m feeling extra indulgent, fried rice or even noodles work nicely as well. For a side, a crisp cucumber salad or steamed bok choy complements the spicy sauce perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I like to serve this stir fry family-style in a big, colorful platter garnished with herbs like fresh cilantro or Thai basil. Another fun idea is to wrap the chicken and veggies in butter lettuce leaves for a fresh, handheld option that’s always a hit.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover stir fry in an airtight container in the fridge, and it stays great for up to 3 days. Keep the rice separate if possible, so you can reheat each portion evenly without the rice getting mushy.

Freezing

While I don’t often freeze the stir fry with veggies because they can lose their crispness, I’ve had good luck freezing just the cooked chicken and sauce. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then add fresh veggies when reheating for the best texture.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm the stir fry in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed. This keeps the flavors vibrant and avoids drying out the chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are juicier and a bit more forgiving if you slightly overcook them. Just cut them into the same size pieces and cook them until they’re nicely browned and cooked through.

How spicy is the Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe?

This recipe has a medium level of heat thanks to the sriracha and crushed red pepper flakes. You can easily tone it down by reducing these ingredients or ramp it up by adding more—totally customizable to your heat tolerance.

Can I prepare parts of this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can chop all the veggies and make the sauce in advance. Store them separately in the fridge, then stir fry and combine everything when you’re ready to cook. This saves a lot of time on busy nights.

What’s the best way to serve this stir fry for meal prep?

For meal prep, I divide the stir fry and freshly cooked rice into individual containers. Keep green onions separate and sprinkle on just before eating to keep them fresh and crunchy. This keeps meals tasty through the week.

Final Thoughts

This Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry Recipe feels like a celebration in a bowl and has become one of my go-to dishes when I want dinner to be exciting but fuss-free. I hope you get a chance to try it soon—you might just find it becomes one of yours too. It’s that nice mix of comfort and kick that keeps me coming back. Have fun with it, and don’t be afraid to make it your own!