Firecracker Chicken
Paleo Firecracker Chicken Recipe – Whole 30 baked fire-cracker chicken with a crispy crust and spicy sticky-sweet glaze! This is an unbelievable family favorite made with clean, gluten-free ingredients!
Why We Love This Homemade Firecracker Chicken Recipe
Although I know fast service Asian restaurants include ingredients that I need to ditch to stick to a whole foods or paleo diet, Chinese takeout is so satisfying (and easy on busy nights) it makes me sad to let it go.
Yet with just a few minor adjustments, many takeout favorites – like this fabulous homemade Firecracker Chicken recipe – can be tweaked to fit into a Whole 30 diet, and made in a hurry!
The first time I saw firecracker chicken on a Chinese takeout menu I was a little confused. And even more confused after I tasted it…No ginger. No garlic. No sesame oil. No soy sauce or hoisin.
Wait… Is this really Chinese? It’s true. The lightly-breaded glistening red Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry you find at most takeout joints is not a traditional Asian recipe. Instead, it’s the epitome of Americanized Chinese food.
What Does Firecracker Chicken Taste Like?
If General Tso’s Chicken and Sweet and Sour Chicken had a love child, it would be named Firecracker Chicken.
The coated pieces of chicken are quickly fried in a skillet then doused in a spicy tangy sauce before being placed in the oven to bake. The sauce saturates the breading and thickens into an intensely sweet and spicy sticky glaze.
If you happen to be on a paleo or whole foods diet… No worries! We’ve adjusted the gluten-free recipe to include only very clean ingredients. But yes, it’s still breaded and fried. Yes, it’s still sweetened. So while it is more healthy than some, firecracker chicken isn’t a dish you’d want to make week after week.
Yet if you need a comfort food fix, this will do it, while not totally breaking your diet.
Ingredients You Need
- Boneless chicken – I like to use boneless chicken thighs, but you can also use chicken breast.
- Arrowroot powder – This takes the place of cornstarch in a traditional non-paleo recipe.
- Coconut flour – To create the base of the breading.
- Salt – For obvious reasons.
- Eggs – To expand the breading into a light crispy coating.
- Frank’s RedHot Sauce – One of the cleanest condiments you can buy, made with just aged cayenne peppers, salt, vinegar, and garlic powder.
- Honey – This takes the place of processed brown sugar in classic recipes.
- Apple cider vinegar – For tangy flavor.
- Crushed red pepper – To add a little more kick!
- Coconut oil – Or avocado oil for frying.
How To Make Firecracker Chicken
- Coat the chicken. Shake the chicken pieces in a bag of arrowroot powder, coconut flour, and salt.
- Mix the sauce. Mix the hot sauce and honey in a baking dish so it’s ready to pop in the oven.
- Fry. Dunk the chicken pieces in egg right before frying, so the coating expands in the oil. Then fry for just a minute per side. The chicken does not have to be fully cooked, because it’s going into the oven.
- Bake. Bake the chinese chicken for 30 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and saturate the breading.
Get the Complete (Printable!) Paleo Firecracker Chicken Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Keep things clean and on the healthy side by serving warm, crispy and saucy paleo firecracker chicken with Cauliflower Rice or Broccoli Rice. For a heartier side try our fabulous Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe!
If you aren’t counting carbs the chicken obviously is delicious with “regular” fluffy white rice or brown rice.
The dish is also great with yummy veggie sides, like copycat Panda Express Super Greens or simple Steamed Broccoli, or Sweet and Spicy Roasted Broccolini. And no matter what dietary guidelines you are following you’re sure to love these Paleo Chinese Dumplings and homemade Egg Drop Soup recipes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but maple syrup has a much stronger flavor and may take away from the overall appeal.
No. Firecracker chicken is paleo and gluten-free, but not low carb. Without the addition of the honey, or another form a sweetener, it would not have the same sticky-sweet quality.
No. You could skip the breading altogether, brown the chicken, and bake it in the sauce. It will still taste great, yet it won’t have the same dazzling comforting quality.
Of course! Use an equal amount of cornstarch in place of the arrowroot and coconut flour. You can also swap the honey for an equal amount of brown sugar, plus 2 tablespoons water. Then use any kind of fry oil you like. However I must say, this cleaner recipe is just as delicious as the naughtier version.
Oh my gosh, this recipe makes SUCH good leftovers. In fact, homemade firecracker chicken is wonderful as a meal prep meal because it tastes great several days later.
Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Personally, I wouldn’t. The crispy coating covered in sauce wouldn’t retain its original texture after thawing.
Looking for More At-Home Takeout Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
- Paleo Lemon Chicken
- Paleo Cashew Chicken
- Keto Thai Larb Rolls
- Skinny Chinese Orange Chicken
- Thai Red Curry Chicken Salad
- Low Carb Vietnamese Pho
- Better Than Panda Express Orange Chicken
- Crispy Baked Buffalo Chicken Breast
Get the Complete (Printable!) Paleo Firecracker Chicken Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Firecracker Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- 1/3 cup arrowroot powder
- 1/3 cup coconut flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup Frank’s RedHot Sauce
- 1 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- coconut oil or avocado oil for frying
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Set out a 3-quart baking dish. Pour in the hot sauce, honey, vinegar, crushed red pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir to mix.
- Cut the chicken thighs into 3/4 inch chunks. Pour arrowroot powder, coconut flour, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a gallon zip bag. Add the chicken, zip the bag, and shake to thoroughly coat the chicken.
- Crack the eggs into a small bowl. Whisk well. Then set a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add 1/4 inch oil. Set a plate near the stove lined with paper towels.
- Working in small batches, add a handful of the chicken to the eggs. Toss, shake off the extra egg, and gently place each piece of chicken in the hot oil. Fry for one minute, flip the chicken with tongs, and fry one more minute.
- Move the chicken to the holding plate to drain and repeat in several more small batches.
- Once all the chicken is fried, place it in the baking dish with the sauce. Toss to coat the chicken in the sauce.
- Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Toss the chicken and bake another 10 minutes. Toss one more time and bake another 10 minutes, thirty minutes total.
- The sauce should be thick and sticky. Serve warm.
This recipe is absolutely delicious!!!! It’s worth all the prep time.
This recipe looks delish! However, NOT Whole30 compliant. Honey is not allowed.
This looks delicious but honey is not whole30 compliant.
I rarely leave reviews but I just had to for this recipe! I started the paleo diet about a month ago and have been on the hunt for yummy recipes. This chicken was incredible and super easy to make!
So glad I found this. Thank you!!
Oh these look delicious, bet they are great for parties too