Description
Firecracker Chicken Stir Fry is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces and crisp vegetables tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, this stir fry combines garlic, bell peppers, snow peas, and a fiery red pepper flake kick, balanced with the sweetness of chili and hoisin sauces.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Stir Fry
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 cup snow peas
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the bite-sized chicken pieces with soy sauce and cornstarch. Mix thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly and let it marinate for at least 10 minutes to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- Heat Oil and Cook Chicken: Warm 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken to the pan in a single layer and cook it for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until it is browned on the outside and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Cook Vegetables: Add the sliced red and green bell peppers, onion, and snow peas to the pan. Stir-fry the vegetables for 3-4 minutes, keeping them crisp-tender and vibrant in color.
- Add Chicken and Seasoning: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Sprinkle the red pepper flakes over the mixture to add heat according to your taste preference.
- Prepare and Add Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar until well combined. Pour this sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables in the pan.
- Combine and Thicken: Stir everything together thoroughly and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken and coat all the ingredients evenly, infusing them with a balance of sweet and spicy flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Finally, garnish the stir fry with sliced green onions and a sprinkling of sesame seeds before serving hot for a colorful and flavorful presentation.
Notes
- Adjust the red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Use fresh vegetables for the best texture and flavor; feel free to substitute or add vegetables like snap peas or carrots.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari.
- The sauce can be prepared in advance to save time during cooking.
- Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
