If you are looking for a dish that will light up your dinner table with bold, exciting flavors and a perfect balance of sweet heat, this Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken Recipe is just what you need. It brings together tender, crispy chicken chunks smothered in a lip-tingling sauce that’s equal parts spicy and sweet, all finished quickly in your Instant Pot for convenience. Each bite bursts with the amazing fusion of buffalo hot sauce, brown sugar, and a touch of vinegar, complemented by crisp veggies to add freshness and crunch. Trust me, this recipe will become a speedy weeknight favorite and a go-to when you want to impress without the fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is delightfully straightforward, featuring simple but essential ingredients that ensure vibrant flavors and satisfying texture. Each component plays a key role, from the crunchy coating on the chicken to the tangy, fiery sauce that brings everything together.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Cutting into 1-inch pieces allows the chicken to cook evenly and soak up all the sauce flavors.
- Corn flour: Gives the chicken a light, crispy exterior when air fried to perfection.
- Flour: Combined with corn flour, it helps create that ideal crunchy bite.
- Eggs: Beaten eggs act as the perfect binding agent for the coating to stick.
- Olive oil: Adds richness during the sauté step and keeps the veggies tender.
- Buffalo hot sauce: The fiery heart of the dish providing that irresistible kick.
- Brown sugar: Balances heat with a warm sweetness that enhances the sauce.
- Rice vinegar: Adds a subtle tang that brightens the flavor profile.
- Red pepper flakes: Customize the heat level to your liking with this spicy addition.
- Green onions: Fresh green onions contribute a mild sharpness and color contrast.
- Snow peas: Offer crisp texture and a burst of garden-fresh flavor.
- Red pepper: Sweet and crunchy, it adds visual appeal and a gentle sweetness.
- Onion: Sliced onions bring sweetness and depth when sautéed in the Instant Pot.
How to Make Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Begin by cutting your boneless skinless chicken breasts into 1 to 1.5-inch pieces. This size is perfect to ensure that each chunk cooks quickly and evenly, while still maintaining juicy tenderness inside. Set the chicken aside as you get your coating ready.
Step 2: Set Up Your Coating Station
Next up, set up your workstation with two bowls—one filled with beaten eggs, and the other holding a mixture of corn flour and regular flour. This setup makes it super easy to dip and coat each piece of chicken, creating that irresistible crispy crust once cooked.
Step 3: Air Fry the Chicken Slightly
Lightly oil the inside of your air fryer to prevent sticking, then dip each chicken piece into the egg wash, followed by the flour mixture. Make sure every piece is well coated. Arrange the chicken in the air fryer basket without overcrowding, then cook at 400°F for 5 minutes. This step is just to start the cooking process and give the chicken that initial crunch—you’ll finish it off in the Instant Pot.
Step 4: Whisk Together the Firecracker Sauce
While the chicken is air frying, whisk together buffalo hot sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. This fiery, sweet, and tangy mixture is the soul of the Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken Recipe, ready to coat your chicken with mouthwatering flavor.
Step 5: Sauté the Veggies in the Instant Pot
Turn your Instant Pot to sauté mode on high and add the olive oil. Toss in the sliced onions, snow peas, red peppers, and green onions. Stir frequently for about 5 minutes, until your veggies are tender-crisp and fragrant, offering a vibrant base for the chicken.
Step 6: Combine Chicken and Veggies
Add the slightly cooked chicken pieces into the Instant Pot with the sautéed veggies. Toss everything to combine well, mixing those crunchy coated chicken bites with the fresh veggies to prepare for the sauce.
Step 7: Add the Firecracker Sauce and Pressure Cook
Turn the Instant Pot to cancel sauté mode, then pour the sauce over the chicken and veggies. Seal the Instant Pot lid, making sure the vent is closed. Set to manual or pressure cook on high for 4 minutes. This short but intense cooking seals all those incredible flavors into every bite.
Step 8: Release Pressure and Serve
Once cooking is complete, carefully release the pressure and remove the lid. Your Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken Recipe is now ready to serve—glazed with the tangy, sweet heat sauce and packed with savory goodness.
How to Serve Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate the dish even more, sprinkle freshly sliced green onions and a light dusting of sesame seeds on top when serving. These little touches add a lovely visual pop and a fresh taste that brightens the deep flavors of the sauce.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with simple sides like steamed jasmine rice or fluffy quinoa to soak up the sauce. For a lighter option, garlic sautéed greens or a crisp Asian-inspired slaw provide a perfect contrast to the spicy protein.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the firecracker chicken over a bed of crunchy lettuce leaves as wraps, perfect for a handheld bite. Alternatively, pile it on cooked noodles and garnish with chopped peanuts and cilantro for a fusion noodle bowl experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. The chicken and sauce keep their delicious flavors for up to 3 days, making it a convenient meal option for busy weeknights.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, freeze the cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw slowly overnight in the fridge for best results before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can also microwave leftovers in a covered dish but watch closely to avoid drying out the chicken. Adding a splash of water or broth helps keep the sauce saucy and fresh-tasting.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless skinless chicken thighs will add extra juiciness and richness. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces and follow the recipe the same way.
Is it necessary to air fry the chicken first?
The initial air frying gives the chicken a crispy exterior that holds up beautifully in the Instant Pot. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can pan fry the chicken pieces in a bit of oil until lightly golden before adding to the Instant Pot.
How spicy is the Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken Recipe?
The heat level is customizable with the amount of red pepper flakes and buffalo sauce. You can always adjust to your preference, whether you want just a hint of spice or a fiery kick.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the regular flour for a gluten-free blend and make sure your hot sauce is gluten-free. Corn flour is naturally gluten-free, so that part is perfect as is.
What’s the best way to serve leftover Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken?
Leftovers are fantastic in wraps, as a topping for salads, or mixed into fried rice for a quick and tasty meal the next day.
Final Thoughts
Give this Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken Recipe a try and you’ll quickly see why it’s such a beloved dish. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and just the right balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy to keep your taste buds dancing. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a crowd, this recipe delivers satisfying comfort with an exciting twist that’s perfect any time of the year.
Print
Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken recipe offers a spicy and sweet twist on classic chicken bites, perfectly cooked with a combination of air frying and pressure cooking to achieve a crispy texture with tender, flavorful meat. Tossed in a vibrant buffalo sauce with a hint of brown sugar and red pepper flakes, complemented by fresh vegetables sautéed to perfection.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1 ¼ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
- ⅓ cup corn flour
- ⅓ cup flour
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- ⅓ cup buffalo hot sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
Vegetables
- ¼ cup green onions, sliced
- ¼ cup snow peas
- ¼ cup red pepper, sliced
- ½ onion, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into 1 to 1.5 inch chunks and set aside for coating.
- Set Up Coating Station: In one bowl, beat the eggs. In another bowl, combine the flour and corn flour. This will create the dredging stations for breading the chicken.
- Prepare Air Fryer: Lightly spray the inside of your air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten eggs, then thoroughly coat in the flour mixture. Place the coated chicken pieces into the air fryer basket. Repeat until the basket is full, ensuring pieces are evenly spaced.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Set the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and cook the chicken for 5 minutes. This step partially cooks the chicken and crisps the coating without fully cooking it, as it will finish cooking in the Instant Pot.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the buffalo sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Set aside to meld flavors.
- Sauté Vegetables in Instant Pot: Turn the Instant Pot on to the sauté setting at high heat. Add the olive oil, green onions, snow peas, sliced red pepper, and sliced onion. Stir frequently and cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Add Chicken to Instant Pot: Add the air-fried chicken pieces to the sautéed vegetables and toss to combine evenly.
- Add Sauce: Turn off the sauté function. Pour the prepared buffalo sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables, stirring gently to coat all pieces.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and seal the vent. Set the Instant Pot to manual (pressure cook) for 4 minutes to finish cooking the chicken and meld the flavors.
- Release Pressure and Serve: When the cooking time is up, carefully release the pressure manually. Remove the lid and serve the Firecracker Chicken hot.
Notes
- Do not fully cook the chicken in the air fryer; it should only be partially cooked to achieve a crispy exterior before pressure cooking.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Ensure the Instant Pot vent is sealed to properly pressure cook.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can shallow fry or bake the chicken pieces, but cooking times will vary.
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
