We recently paid a visit to Wagamama for a bit of a treat, and we absolutely LOVED the Firecracker chicken they had on the menu. So we’ve recreated this to make it a Slimming World friendly Half Syn Firecracker Chicken!
We have been asked by Tefal to create some recipes using their Actifry, and this is one of them!
It’s such a versatile kitchen gadget, and we love making the Half Syn Firecracker Chicken as it makes it such an easy recipe to follow. No stirring, no messing, the Actifry does all the hard work for you!
For the full list of ingredients and comprehensive instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post. Before you scroll, there’s important stuff in the blurb 👍
As good as the restaurant Firecracker Chicken tastes, the Syn value is really high.
This means we’ve had to work really hard to create the same beautiful flavour to our Half Syn Firecracker Chicken, without adding to the Syn value.
It’s the perfect dish to feel like you’re dining out in the comfort of your own home!
If you haven’t got an Actifry, this can also be made using a pan. We’ve included the stove-top recipe too!
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What do I need to make this Half Syn Firecracker Chicken?
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We’ve reviewed the Tefal Actifry Express XL – check out our review here.
You can buy this Tefal Actifry Express XL on Amazon!
How many Syns are in this Half Syn Firecracker Chicken?
This Half Syn Firecracker Chicken is half a Syn per portion, based on the recipe being enough for four portions.
The Syns are present in some of the key ingredients of the dish, such as the tomato ketchup and the tamarind paste.
You can serve this Half Syn Firecracker Chicken with rice, or even some Syn Free Salt and Pepper Chips!
How do I make this Half Syn Firecracker Chicken?
Step 1
Add the chilli, garlic, sweetener, tomato ketchup, tamarind paste, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce and rice vinegar into a bowl. Add the black pepper to season and stir the contents of the bowl well.
Step 2
Add the chicken breast to the bowl and mix it all together.
Step 3
Once the chicken breasts are coated in the marinade, cover the bowl with cling film and chill in the fridge for one hour.
Step 4
Take the bowl of marinated chicken out of fridge and place into your Actifry, reserving the remaining marinade in a bowl.
Set the Actifry to cook for 10 minutes.
Step 5
After 10 minutes is up, add the chopped onions and Frylight and set to cook for a further 5 minutes.
Step 6
Once this is complete, add the stock, the remaining marinade, peppers, spring onions, chilli and mange tout and cook for a further 10 minutes.
Once this is complete, it’s ready to serve!
Like this Half Syn Firecracker Chicken? Why not try some more of our Fakeaway recipes?
Whenever we need to replace oil in cooking we use Frylight. Perfect for everyday frying and cooking, it delivers exactly one calorie per spray, which makes it Syn free!
Want to see how easy this Half Syn Firecracker Chicken? Watch the video!!
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Half Syn FireCracker Chicken | Slimming World
|
Servings |
Prep Time |
Cooking Time |
| portion(s) | 10 minutes | 30 minutes |
|
Calories |
WW |
Slimming World |
| 318kcal |
2 Smart Points (Flex/Freestyle) |
0.5 Syns |
| Per portion(s) | Per portion(s) | Per portion(s) |
 |
INGREDIENTS
Please don't take a screenshot. These recipes are updated often!
- 3-4 large Chicken Breasts diced
- 1/2 Red Chilli finely chopped - can leave out if you don't like chilli
- 2 Garlic Cloves finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Sweetener
- 3 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
- 2 tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar
- 2 tbsp Tomato Ketchup 1 Syn
- 1/2 tbsp Tamarind Paste 1 Syn
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 grind Black Pepper
- 1 Onion sliced
- 3 Peppers sliced
- 200 g Mange Tout
- 6 Arbol Chillies - any dried chillies will do or 1/2 tsp of chilli flakes
- 1 bunch spring onions chopped
- 1 wedge Limes
- 100 ml Chicken stock Made up with 1/2 stock cube and 100ml of water
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add the chilli, garlic, sweetener, tomato ketchup, tamarind paste, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce and rice vinegar into a bowl. Add the black pepper to season and stir the contents of the bowl well.
- Add the chicken breast to the bowl and mix it all together.
- Once the chicken breasts are coated in the marinade, cover the bowl with cling film and chill in the fridge for one hour.
- Take the bowl of marinated chicken out of fridge and place into your Actifry, and set aside the remaining marinade. Set the Actifry to cook for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes is up, add the chopped onions and Frylight and set to cook for a further 5 minutes.
- Once this is complete, add the stock, the remaining marinade, peppers, spring onions, chilli and mange tout and cook for a further 10 minutes. Once this is complete, it's ready to serve!
- Add the chilli, garlic, sweetener, tomato ketchup, tamarind paste, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce and rice vinegar into a bowl. Add the black pepper to season and stir the contents of the bowl well.
- Add the chicken breast to the bowl and mix it all together.
- Once the chicken breasts are coated in the marinade, cover the bowl with cling film and chill in the fridge for one hour.
- Take the bowl of marinated chicken out of fridge and place in a frying pan on a medium heat, setting aside the remaining marinade. Cook for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes is up, add the chopped onions, spray with Frylight and cook for a further 5 minutes.
- Once this is complete, add the stock, the remaining marinade, peppers, spring onions, chilli and mange tout and cook for a further 10 minutes. Once this is complete, it's ready to serve!
RECIPE NOTES
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We use a fan assisted oven for all of our recipes. Need help converting the temperature for your oven? |
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This recipe can be frozen, but please remember to do the following; - Freeze it as soon as it is cold enough. |
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Syn values given are correct at time of writing but may not always be accurate.
This website is UNOFFICIAL and in NO WAY part of or representative of Slimming World.
We aren’t trained by Slimming World nor authorised to give Slimming World advice. Any advice given here should not replace the advice of your Slimming World consultant.
Ideally, you should check with Slimming world for the most up to date Syn values using official resources such as; the Syns calculator, Syns Online on LifelineOnline or by calling the Syns Hotline on (0906) 851 8518.
Although pinchofnom.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will pinchofnom.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
We kindly ask that you share this recipe via the share buttons and not via screenshots.
As our recipes change often in accordance with syn value changes, we want to ensure that they're as accurate as possible at all times.
If you use or re-create our recipes we kindly ask:
- That you credit us by not only screenshot but linking to our original recipe post
- You don't reproduce the recipe in full
How much stock do you add?
Hi Caroline
There was a typo in the recipe, it’s 100mls! All sorted now. 🙂
Hi.
This looks so good but I don’t eat fish so could I possibly leave the fish sauce out without effecting the recipe/ taste?
Thanks
Hi Gemma
You could add some extra soy sauce instead. 🙂
Where can I get Tamarind Paste?
Hi Dolores
You’ll find it in most large supermarkets, it’s listed on My Supermarket in Tesco, Ocado and Waitrose.
So glad to see an active recipe, I use mine all the time but generally just for chips and roast potatoes, I’ve been a bit concerned about putting liquid in the actifry, as the paddle can be removed does that not mean it would leak from the metal bowl into the machine?
Hi Sam
It’s fine as long as you follow the recipe instructions carefully. 🙂
Could I leave out the tomato sauce as my partner is allergic to it ?
Hi Shelley
You could leave it out, it may affect the flavour slightly, but it’ll be ok!
in the recipe it askes for 1 sliced onion
but also a bunch of spring onions (don’t say how to prepare them? chopped or sliced)
later on it says add the chopped onion?
Is the spring onion> and when do I add the sliced onion
Sorry I confuse easy 🙂
Hi Jackie
The recipe instructions have been amended to make it clearer! Thanks for getting in touch. 🙂
Hi I don’t have an actifry, can this be cooked in a different way?
Hi Jan
Yes, scroll further down the instructions to find the stove top method. 🙂
Can this dish be made without using the actifry. I don’t have one
Hi Eileen
If you scroll past the recipe card you’ll find instructions for cooking this on the stove top too! 🙂
Hi,
Just made the fire cracker chicken and flavours are lovely. The only thing that I’m wondering about is why the chicken your finished dish looks a reddy/orangey colour and mine (and a few others who have posted it) looks a brown colour? Any idea why?
Hi Susan
So glad you enjoyed it! The lighting can make a difference to the appearance of a dish when we photograph it for the website. 🙂
Can I ask what spice that is on the rice? Looks so yummy 😋
Hi Natalie
Its called Shichimi powder, a 7 spice chilli powder.
Made it Monday night it was GORGEOUS 🙂 I mean so easy and scrumptious…
I’m going to cook the Chicken and Broccoli tonight 🙂
Can I do this in the actifry??
If not I have a wok so it’s not a prob just wondered..
Hi Jackie
It’s amazing, isn’t it, so glad you enjoyed it! We haven’t tried the Chicken and Broccoli in the actifry, so if you do try it, let us know how you get on. 🙂
Yet another fab recipe. So easy yet so tasty. Thanks again team PON. Added to the ever increasing list of favourites!
Hi Jackie
It’s another winner, isn’t it?! So glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Another amazing recipe from Pinch of Nom. Thank you
Hi Tracy
You’re very welcome! 🙂
Made this on Monday. It’s absolutely gorgeous
Will be a regular in this house
Thank you for the Recipe x
So glad you enjoyed it! Teresa 🙂
Hi
Can I use tomato purée instead of ketchup and light soy sauce instead of dark?
Thanks
Hi Wendy
Yes to both! You’d probably need to reduce the amount of tomato puree if you’re replacing the ketchup, as it’s a concentrated paste.
Made this tonight for the first time and first time using an Actifry. Loved it! Do you have a weblink to your other Actifry recipes please? Thank you!
Hi Heather
We have the Firecracker Chicken and our Syn Free Salt and Pepper Chips – http://pinchofnom.com/recipes/syn-free-salt-and-pepper-chips-slimming-world/
We will have a couple more recipes in production soon that use the Actifry! 🙂
Made this tonight both my boyfriend and I really enjoyed it & so quick to do
So glad you enjoyed it, Liz!
This recipe looks great, can’t wait to try it. However I don’t eat meat and always order the prawn firecracker at Wagamama’s, do you know if I can cook the sauce without the chicken then add the prawns later? Imagine they wouldnt need the same amount of cooking as the chicken? Thanks in advance! 😃
Hi Jo
That should be fine. As you say, the prawns won’t take as long to cook. Let us know how you get on if you do try it! 🙂
Made this for second time this week today. Was much better than first time love it so tasty & delicious however I used 3 chilli in marinade & added more chilli at the end to make it spiciy!!!!!! But it’s going to definitely be a regular meal
So glad you enjoyed it, Helen! It’s on request in our house too! 🙂
hi, where can I buy Oyster sauce? the only one I appear to be able to get ist eh blue dragon sauce, which is full of sugar. TIa
Hi Julie
All Oyster sauce is free on Syns Online, including Blue Dragon, Sharwoods and supermarket own brands. 🙂
Do you leave the paddle in the actifryer when making this plz??
Hi Margaret
Yes, you leave the paddle in the actifry. 🙂
Hi, I’ve got habanero dried chillies, do these need to be dehydrated first. Thanks 🙂
Hi Katy
I saw your update to this question and know that you meant rehydrated! You should be fine to chop up the dried chilli and add to the marinade. There will be enough liquid in the marinade to rehydate them. 🙂
Made this tonight and it’s sooooo good! Forgot to buy oyster sauce so added a tiny bit more fish sauce but will be making again!! More actifry recipes please pinchofnom more more more ha ha!
Making this tonight, can’t wait! Sx
Hi Sally
You won’t be disappointed! 🙂
Hiya, I only have a normal actifry, not the express. Will this affect the cooking times at all? Thank you.
Hi Jasmine
I haven’t used the normal Actifry, but I think the cooking times may be slightly longer than in the express model. 🙂
Hi Jasmine, Amazon says the Express cooks 30% faster than the regular. We are cooking this in our regular Actifry tonight and are going for 13 min, 8 min, 13 min. Will let you know how it goes
Hi Andrea,
Thanks for getting in touch, that’s really helpful! 🙂
Hi, love your recipes and would like to make this one this weekend. Is there any substitute for Tamarind Paste can’t seem to find it in either our tesco or morrisons.
Hi Kerry
Other members of the FB group have told us they’ve found Tamarind paste in Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury’s. It’s in a small jar, so could easily be missed on the shelf! Maggi also do a Tamarind Sauce, which would be fine to use. Apparently you could use Lime Juice or Rice vinegar as a substitute if you can’t find any. A final option would be Amazon! 🙂
Thanks, I’ll have another look – fingers crossed, the recipe sounds yummy!
OMG. If you have not tried this yet then please do. Its AMAZING, So easy to prep and cook. Super tasty and spicy. Nice one PON
Thanks, Tracy! 🙂
What’s the lime for???
Hi Emma
The ingredient include a wedge of lime. This is shown in the image for the finished dish as a garnish.
Is it possible for this recipe to be done without Actifry? Thanks ☺️
Hi Anna
Keep scrolling down past the Actifry method, you’ll find the stovetop method. 🙂
Hi I don’t a tefal acti fryer just a different brand one could I still make this and different recipes in mine? Looks lovely by the way.
Hi Rebecca
Obviously different makes of airfryer will have their own guidelines, but it should be possible to adapt the recipe to suit your appliance. 🙂
Hey where and what oyster sauce is it. Seems to be in so it of recipes.
Hi Lisa
You’ll find it in supermarkets, alongside the Soy sauces and noodles etc.
Second time of making. Defo a favourite
💐
So glad you enjoyed it, Vivienne!
This firecracker chicken is my absolute favourite and I like it hot! I add a handful of tiny Birdseye chilliest for an extra kick. Well done ladies, this recipe is now a firm family favourite!
So glad you enjoyed it, Kim!
Can you leave it marinade for more than an hour. I want to prepare in the morning to cook in the evening
Thanks
Hi Kathryn
It should be fine to marinade the chicken for longer. 🙂
Hi. Looking forward to cooking this later. Can you use sugar snap peas instead of mange Tout?
Hi Sharon
Yes! I’ve done it with sugar snaps, it was lovely!
I’ve tried a few supermarkets for tamirind paste and coming up empty. Any substitute available?
Thanks
Hi Claire
I found it in a smaller branch of Sainsburys this week, and have previously bought in Asda and Morrisons. My Supermarket lists Waitrose, too.
If you cant’t get the paste, there is also a Maggi Tamarind sauce available, which would work just as well.
I have the actifry duo will it be the same.
Timings etc.
Hi Mandy
The timings should be pretty similar. 🙂
Absolutely loved this meal,
super easy instructions with great results, made this Fire Cracker Chicken tonight in the Actifry, was so tasty,
I’m still in a state of shock that little old me could make it, & tasted so amazing, 👌
Well done, Helen, so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Wanting to make this tomorrow but just realised I haven’t bought sweetener, can I make without?
Hi Nikki
You could make it without, but the sweetener helps to give a more rounded flavour and balances out the acidity of the vinegar and ketchup etc. 🙂
Had this tonight and it was gorgeous. Thanks PON!
So glad you enjoyed it, Amy. Thanks for getting in touch!
Where can i get tamarind paste cant find it or can i use something in place of it please? Thanks pamela
Hi Pamela
I found Tamarind paste in Sainsburys. It’s a small jar, found with the oriental sauces and flavourings. I’ve also spotted it in Tesco. Maggi do a Tamarind Sauce, which could be used as an alternative. (Check syn values, though!)
If you can’t get hold of any, try some lime juice and a pinch of sweetener.
im absolutely cooking this in next couple of days
Hi Julie
You’ll love it! This has become a firm fave in our house already!
Hi, do you just use a normal granulated sweetener? I forgot to buy some today – I know sugar is a syn but for one night would I just use the same amount of granulated sugar as the sweetener?
Hi Keb86
Yes, we use a granulated sweetener rather than a powdered one. We particularly like Sukrin, Canderel Sugarly or Natvia. 🙂
Wow!!! My actifry has been stuck on top of the kitchen cupboard for months, only ever having been used for chips. I made the firecracker chicken tonight and it’s absolutely superb. . Chicken is soft and not in the least dry and it has a wonderful kick to it. Thank you. I love Pinch of Nom. You do a great job and make my weight loss journey so much easier due to the delicious recipes.
Thank you so much for your lovely compliments, Lyn! So glad you enjoyed it. Firecracker chicken is now a big favourite in our house too! 🙂
Hi could you tell me plz if I use rice wine vinegar or white wine vinegar for this recipe as I have both but not sure which to use? Thanks x
Hi Margaret
Rice wine vinegar will be fine. 🙂
Hi. What could I use instead of tamarind paste?
Thanks
Hi Lauren
Other members of the FB group have told us they’ve found Tamarind paste in Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury’s. It’s in a small jar, so could easily be missed on the shelf! Maggi also do a Tamarind Sauce, which would be fine to use. Apparently you could use Lime Juice or Rice vinegar as a substitute if you can’t find any. A final option would be Amazon! 🙂
Another cracking PoN recipe to add to our family favourites. Thank you.
So glad you enjoyed it, Diana. 🙂
WOW!!! Firecracker chicken is fantastic. So easy to prepare and do so tasty. Thank you PON a winner.
So glad you enjoyed it, Sharon. 🙂
I cannot find the recipe for cooking this without an actifry.Thanks
Hi Patricia
If you scroll down to the recipe card, the stove top method is directly below the Actifry method. 🙂
Hi how long would the marinade keep in the fridge and can you freeze it??
Hi Sue
The marinade should keep for up to 48hrs in the fridge in a sealed container. We’ve put freezing instructions on the recipe card, scroll down past the method to find them. 🙂
I made this last night, It was absolutely delicious. I would add a bit less Chilli next time, but thats a personal choice. Well done, I love your recipes and have pre-ordered your book
So glad you enjoyed it, Barbara. Thanks for getting in touch. 🙂
Hiya
Could I do this without the fish paste and rice vinegar?
Thanks
Jade
Hi Jade,
Yes, you can make this without the fish paste and rice vinegar if you don’t like them. They just add to the authentic flavour of the recipe, and you can’t taste them as individual ingredients in the finished dish. 🙂
Fab recipe especially as I love wagamammas. Made this about three times now ☺. Wanted to post pic. Thank you.
Thanks for getting in touch, Manni. So glad you enjoyed it! If you’re a member of the Pinch of Nom facebook group, you can always post a picture there! 🙂
That is the best recipe I have ever cooked. I love your site and I’m looking forward to my book arriving in March. Fabulous recipes xx
Hi Rites
So glad you enjoyed it, and it’s great to hear that you love the site and the recipes! We’re getting pretty excited about the book now – not long to wait!
How do you get your rice looking so perfect!
Hi Steph
We use basmati rice and cook according to instructions on pack. Rice can be temperamental for some people, but I’m not sure why! You could try using boil in the bag or frozen portions of rice if it’s easier. (Check the label to make sure there’s no added oil etc)
We use a small bowl as a mould to create an attractive shape that will photograph well for the website.
Hope that helps!
In the ingredients it days chilli and then dried chilli flakes but in the recipe it’s not clear … When do I use the flakes? In the marinade or later?
Hi Hannah
The chopped red chilli goes into the marinade, and the Arbol chillies are added later with the spring onions, peppers and mange tout. Hope that helps! 🙂
Hi, love the sound of this recipe but struggling to find tamarind, do you think i’d be able to use Niru Tamarind Paste? Thanks
That should be fine, Beth! Just check Syns to make sure there’s no difference. 🙂
Hi there , just wondered if I can do this without the tamarind paste or use something else please?
Hi Sara,
You could use a squeeze of lime and a pinch of sweetener 😊
Hope that helps!
Emma
Made this for the first time today …. can not believe how delicious it is …… thank you so much for this and all the other amazing recipes you guys provide…
Definitely be making this one again
So glad you enjoyed it! 💕
Added Orzo to it.