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Crispy Firecracker Chicken

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Crispy chicken tossed in a fiery, sticky sesame glaze that balances heat and sweetness for a bold, unforgettable flavor. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or crowd-pleasing gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • ½ cup cold water
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (enough to submerge chicken pieces)
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1–2 teaspoons red chili flakes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces (1 to 1.5 inches). Pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg with cold water. Slowly pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until combined. Batter should be thick but pourable.
  4. Toss chicken pieces in the batter to coat fully. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  5. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok to 2 inches deep at 350°F (175°C).
  6. Fry chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and crispy. Drain on a wire rack over a baking sheet.
  7. While frying, whisk soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, chili flakes, garlic, ginger, and water in a small saucepan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  8. Place fried chicken in a large bowl. Pour warm glaze over chicken and toss gently to coat evenly.
  9. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use a wire rack to drain fried chicken to keep it crispy instead of soggy. Warm glaze before tossing if it thickens too much. For gluten-free, substitute flour and soy sauce with gluten-free alternatives. Oven-bake option available for lighter version.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken, firecracker chicken, spicy chicken, sesame glaze, easy chicken recipe, fried chicken, weeknight dinner, spicy glaze

Find it online: https://islatable.com/crispy-firecracker-chicken-recipe-easy-spicy-sesame-glaze-guide/