Indulge in the deliciousness of Panda Express Sweet Fire Chicken right at home with this easy recipe! Learn how to make crispy, golden chicken tossed in a perfect blend of sweet and spicy sauce. With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you'll impress your family with this flavorful dish. Ready to elevate your cooking game? Click through to explore the full recipe and get cooking today!
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetable oil for frying
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
2 green onions, thinly sliced for garnish
For the Sweet Fire Sauce:
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust according to your spice preference)
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, grated
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
![- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces - 1 cup cornstarch - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour - 2 large eggs, beaten - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper - Vegetable oil for frying - 1/3 cup honey - 1/4 cup soy sauce - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar - 2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust according to your spice preference) - 1 tablespoon garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon ginger, grated - 1 teaspoon sesame oil - 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening) - 1 red bell pepper, diced - 1 green bell pepper, diced - 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned) - 2 green onions, thinly sliced for garnish When I make Panda Express Sweet Fire Chicken, I love the mix of sweet and spicy. The chicken is crispy and the sauce is thick and flavorful. You can find the full recipe above if you want to dive deeper into this dish. Each ingredient plays a role in creating layers of flavor. So, gather these ingredients and get ready for a fun cooking adventure! Start by gathering your ingredients. You will need 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Cut them into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup of cornstarch, 1/2 cup of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. This dry mix will help the chicken get crispy. Dip each chicken piece into 2 beaten eggs. Then, coat it in the dry mix until fully covered. In a separate saucepan, combine 1/3 cup of honey, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of sriracha. You can adjust the sriracha to match your spice level. Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of grated ginger. Heat this mixture over medium heat until it simmers. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water until smooth. Add this to the sauce, stirring until it thickens. This will take about 2-3 minutes. In a deep skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. You need enough oil to fry the chicken. Carefully add the chicken pieces in batches. Fry them for about 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Use a plate with paper towels to drain excess oil. Next, use the same skillet and add diced red and green bell peppers and pineapple chunks. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. Then, add your crispy chicken and pour the sweet fire sauce over everything. Toss until well coated. Let it cook for 2 more minutes. Serve it with sliced green onions on top. For the full recipe, check out the details above. To get that crunch you love, use cornstarch. Mixing it with flour makes a great coating. Dip each chicken piece in egg first. This helps the dry mix stick well. Fry the chicken in hot oil. Keep the heat high, but don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry in small batches. This way, each piece cooks evenly and gets crispy. The sweet fire sauce is key. It should taste sweet but also have a kick. Use honey for sweetness. Adjust the sriracha to control heat. If you want it spicier, add more sriracha. For a milder taste, cut back on it. Taste the sauce as you mix. Find the right balance that makes your taste buds happy. Presentation matters. Serve the Sweet Fire Chicken over jasmine rice for a nice touch. The white rice contrasts well with the colorful chicken and veggies. Add green onions on top for a fresh look. For extra flair, sprinkle sesame seeds. These small touches will impress family and friends. They'll love both the taste and the look of your dish. For the full recipe, check out the [Full Recipe]. {{image_4}} You can easily swap the chicken for other proteins. Try shrimp, tofu, or pork. Each protein brings its own flavor and texture. Shrimp cooks fast and adds a nice twist. Tofu is great for a plant-based option. If you use pork, choose tender cuts like loin. Adjust the cooking time based on what you choose. Feel free to load up on veggies. Broccoli, snap peas, or snow peas work well. You can also add carrots for a pop of color. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces. Sauté them with the bell peppers for added crunch. This boosts flavor and gives more nutrition. You can make it a complete meal with colorful veggies. Adjust the heat to suit your taste. If you love spice, add more sriracha. You can also use crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat. For milder flavors, cut back on the sriracha or use sweet chili sauce. Customize the heat to make this dish your own. You control the spice! Check out the Full Recipe for all the details and tips to create your own version. To store leftovers, let the Sweet Fire Chicken cool down first. Place it in an airtight container. This helps keep the chicken fresh. You can store it in the fridge for up to four days. Make sure to keep the sauce and chicken together. This keeps the flavors intact. When you're ready to eat your leftovers, reheating is easy. You can use a microwave or a skillet. If using a microwave, place the chicken in a bowl. Heat it for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway. If using a skillet, add a little oil and heat on medium. Stir until it’s hot. This keeps the chicken crispy. You can also freeze Sweet Fire Chicken. Place cooled chicken in a freezer-safe bag. Squeeze out all the air before sealing. It can last up to three months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat as mentioned before. Enjoy the flavors even after freezing! Panda Express Sweet Fire Chicken is a popular dish. It features crispy chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce. The sauce has honey, soy sauce, and sriracha, giving it a unique flavor. You can enjoy this dish with bell peppers and pineapple for added crunch and sweetness. Many love its balance of heat and sweetness. You can make this recipe healthier by making a few easy swaps. First, use skinless chicken breast instead of thighs for less fat. You can also bake the chicken instead of frying. Instead of using white flour, try whole wheat flour or almond flour for more fiber. For the sauce, reduce the honey and use less sriracha to cut sugar and sodium. Adding more vegetables can also boost nutrients and flavor. Yes, you can create a vegetarian version of Sweet Fire Chicken. Use tofu or tempeh instead of chicken. Press and cube firm tofu to get the right texture. You can still follow the same steps for the batter and sauce. For added flavor, marinate the tofu in soy sauce before cooking. This will give you a tasty and satisfying meal without meat. This blog post explored the key ingredients for making sweet fire chicken. We covered how to prepare chicken, make the sauce, and fry it. Tips helped you achieve crispy chicken, balance flavors, and enhance your dish's look. Variations let you switch proteins, add veggies, or adjust heat. We also shared storage tips for leftovers and reheating. In the end, this tasty dish is fun to make and enjoy. Experiment with your favorite ingredients to create your unique version!](https://recipetorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/170ffc6e-b93b-41e3-99e9-5ca33d86ab2d-250x250.webp)