Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken is tender chicken coated in a sweet and spicy sauce made with Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes. It cooks right in the pressure cooker for an easy dinner packed with bold flavor.
This is one of those recipes I make when I’m craving something sweet, spicy, and a little different from our usual chicken dinner. The sauce has plenty of kick, and you can easily adjust the heat to your taste.
Why I Love This Recipe
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Chicken: Cut boneless chicken into 1-inch cubes so it cooks evenly.
- Flour: Coats the chicken before sautéing and helps give it texture.
- Sesame Oil: Adds flavor while browning the chicken.
- Frank’s Red Hot Sauce: Gives the Firecracker Chicken its spicy kick.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the heat.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a little tang to the sauce.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Add extra heat; adjust them to your taste.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken
Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces and coat evenly with flour.
Sauté the Chicken: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and add the sesame oil. Cook the chicken in a single layer until the outside is white, working in batches if needed. Remove the chicken from the pot.
Make the Firecracker Sauce: Add the Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and brown sugar to the Instant Pot and stir to combine.
Pressure Cook: Return the chicken to the pot. Secure the lid and cook on Manual High Pressure for 10 minutes. When finished, carefully perform a quick release.
Serve: Stir the chicken into the sauce and serve over rice, if desired.
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Cut Even Pieces: Keep the chicken cubes about the same size so they cook evenly.
- Work in Batches: Sauté the chicken in a single layer so it browns instead of steaming.
- Adjust the Heat: Reduce the red pepper flakes if you prefer a milder Firecracker Chicken.
- Stir Before Serving: Give everything a good stir after pressure cooking to coat the chicken in the sauce.
Questions Readers Ask Most
Can I make Firecracker Chicken less spicy?
Yes. Reduce or leave out the red pepper flakes. You can also adjust the amount of hot sauce to your taste.
What can I serve with Firecracker Chicken?
Rice is an easy choice and is great for soaking up the sweet and spicy sauce. Steamed vegetables also work well.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat until hot before serving.
More Instant Pot Recipes I Love
Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken
Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken is tender chicken coated in a sweet and spicy sauce made with hot sauce, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 pound chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¾ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces and coat evenly with flour.
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and add the sesame oil.
- Add the chicken in a single layer and sauté until the outside is white, working in batches if needed. Remove the chicken from the pot.
- Add the hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and brown sugar. Stir to combine.
- Return the chicken to the Instant Pot.
- Secure the lid and cook on Manual High Pressure for 10 minutes.
- When the cooking time is complete, carefully perform a quick release.
- Stir the chicken into the sauce and serve over rice, if desired.
Notes
For less heat, reduce the red pepper flakes. Sauté the chicken in batches so you don't overcrowd the Instant Pot.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 559Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 1751mgCarbohydrates: 67gFiber: 1gSugar: 41gProtein: 31g
This was the absolute bomb! 🧨
Easy, fast and o so delicious!! I will definitely be following and can’t wait to try some of your other recipes.