Firecracker Chicken Breast from Panda Express features tender, spicy chicken breast pieces tossed in a bold, tangy sauce with a hint of sweetness and fiery chili peppers, served with vibrant steamed vegetables for a colorful and flavorful meal.
Equipments
- Wok
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Whisk
- Saucepan
- Steamer or steaming basket
- Plate or serving dish
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup snap peas
- 4 green onions
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 thumb-sized piece ginger
- 2-3 dried red chili peppers
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Sesame seeds (optional)
When preparing Firecracker Chicken Breast, it's essential to use fresh, boneless, and skinless chicken breast to ensure tenderness and even cooking. The combination of chili garlic sauce, sriracha, and dried red chili peppers delivers the signature spicy heat, so adjust the amounts based on your preferred spice level. Fresh vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas add vibrant color and crunch, which are key to replicating the authentic texture and flavor profile. Measuring precise amounts of sauces such as hoisin, oyster, and soy sauce helps balance the tangy and sweet elements of the sauce. Your homemade Firecracker Chicken Breast will closely mimic the bold, flavorful dish from Panda Express when these ingredients are carefully selected and prepared.
Instructions
- Cut chicken breast into bite-sized pieces.
- In a mixing bowl, toss chicken with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper.
- Slice bell peppers and green onions; cut broccoli and snap peas into bite-sized pieces.
- Mince garlic and ginger.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, chili garlic sauce, sriracha, and brown sugar to make the sauce.
- Heat a wok over high heat and add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil.
- Stir-fry chicken pieces until golden and cooked through. Remove from wok and set aside.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the wok.
- Stir-fry garlic, ginger, and dried red chili peppers until fragrant.
- Add bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas; stir-fry until vegetables are vibrant and slightly tender.
- Return chicken to the wok.
- Pour sauce over chicken and vegetables.
- Toss everything together until evenly coated and heated through.
- Stir in green onions.
- Steam remaining vegetables if desired (optional).
- Transfer to a serving dish.
- Garnish with sesame seeds, if using.
- Serve immediately.
Substitution
Firecracker Chicken Breast from Panda Express copycat menu delivers a perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and sweet flavors that mimic the popular restaurant dish. If you don't have hoisin sauce, substitute with a mix of soy sauce and a small amount of honey or molasses to achieve a similar sweetness and depth. For a milder version, reduce or omit dried red chili peppers while maintaining the chili garlic sauce and sriracha to keep the sauce flavorful yet less fiery. Use any fresh vegetables you have on hand if red and yellow bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli aren't available; carrots or zucchini work well as alternatives. Your choice of cornstarch can be swapped with potato starch or arrowroot powder for thickening the sauce without compromising its glossy texture.
Tips
Make sure to coat the chicken pieces evenly with cornstarch to achieve a crispy texture when stir-frying. Use high heat in your wok to quickly sear the chicken and vegetables, preserving their color and crunch. When whisking the sauce, balance the sweetness and spice to suit your taste, as this will define the dish's signature bold flavor. Remember to serve the Firecracker Chicken Breast hot to enjoy the full impact of its tangy sauce and vibrant steamed vegetables.
Nutritions
Firecracker Chicken Breast from Panda Express provides a nutritious balance of lean protein and colorful vegetables rich in vitamins A, C, and K. Each serving supplies a moderate amount of healthy fats from vegetable oil, while sauces like soy, hoisin, and sriracha contribute sodium and antioxidants. The inclusion of garlic and ginger adds anti-inflammatory benefits alongside a spicy kick from chili peppers. This dish supports a well-rounded diet by delivering essential nutrients, fiber, and your daily dose of flavor-packed satisfaction.
Storage
Store your Firecracker Chicken Breast in an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth. Consume leftovers within 3 to 4 days, reheating thoroughly until steaming hot to ensure food safety. For longer storage, freeze the dish in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Variation or Alternatives
You can substitute chicken breast with boneless, skinless thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat that holds up better during stir-frying. For a milder heat level, reduce the amount of dried red chili peppers and sriracha, or replace chili garlic sauce with sweet chili sauce for a sweeter profile. Try steaming vegetables separately to maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture before tossing them with the sauce for optimal freshness. Adding a splash of toasted sesame oil at the end enhances the dish with a rich, nutty aroma that complements the bold sauce perfectly.
Allergies
Your Firecracker Chicken Breast may pose allergy risks due to common allergens like soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and oyster sauce, which contain soy and shellfish derivatives. Cornstarch and vegetable oil are less likely to cause reactions, but it's important to watch for potential sensitivities to chili garlic sauce, sriracha, and sesame seeds. If you have known allergies to any ingredients such as soy, shellfish, or sesame, consult ingredient labels carefully before consuming this dish.
Why this recipe?
Firecracker Chicken Breast from Panda Express is beloved for its bold, spicy flavor profile featuring marinated chicken breast stir-fried with red chili peppers, green onions, and crunchy water chestnuts. The balance of heat and sweetness makes it a standout dish that satisfies those craving a flavorful Asian-inspired meal. Your attempt to recreate this dish at home is worth it because it allows precise control over spice levels and ingredient quality, ensuring a fresh, customizable dining experience. Mastering the copycat recipe empowers you to enjoy a restaurant favorite with the convenience and comfort of home cooking.