Firecracker Chicken
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 it to make a slimming friendly version!
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NutritionPer Serving
- Calories276
- Carbs24g
- Protein50g
- Fat12g
- Saturates3g
- Sugars14g
Your dishes
You’re amazing, look at the Firecracker Chicken dishes you’ve made…
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 to know in the blurb!
Our Firecracker Chicken is the perfect dish to help you feel like you’re dining out in the comfort of your very own home.
We have been asked by Tefal to create some recipes using their Actifry, and this is one of them. It’s super quick and easy to make and we think that it might even taste better than one you’d get in a restaurant!
We like our food with a nice kick of heat, but you can make this recipe more or less spicy by simply adjusting the amount of chilli that you add.
What diets is this Firecracker Chicken suitable for?
This Firecracker Chicken recipe is suitable for dairy free diets.
Please make sure to double or triple check all of your ingredients if you’re cooking for people with allergies.
Do I need any special ingredients or equipment to make this Firecracker Chicken?
There are a few ingredients you will need for this recipe, but don’t worry, they’re not too unusual so you will be able to use them for other recipes.
- Tamarind paste – This is from the the pulp that surrounds the seeds within the pod of the tamarind tree. It’s mainly used in Asian cooking and you can buy it from most supermarkets.
- Arbol chillies – These are small potent Mexican chillies and you can buy them dried from most supermarkets.
The Actifry – We’ve reviewed the Tefal Actifry Express XL – check out our review here.
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‘Super easy, super quick and totally delicious!’
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How many calories are there in this Firecracker Chicken?
There are around 276 calories in each portion of this Firecracker Chicken, which means it falls into our Everyday Light category – don’t forget to add on any extra calories for any accompaniments.
This Firecracker Chicken is perfect if you’re following a calorie controlled diet, and fits well with any one of the major diet plans such as Weight Watchers.
As a guide, an average man needs around 2,500kcal (10,500kJ) a day to maintain a healthy body weight. For an average woman, that figure is around 2,000kcal (8,400kJ) a day. Obviously, if your goal is to lose weight then you might want to adjust these slightly! You can read more about these recommendations on the NHS website.
Actifry method
Step 1
Add the chilli flakes, 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, and set aside the remaining marinade. Set the Actifry to cook for 10 minutes.
Step 5
After 10 minutes is up, add the chopped onions, spray with low calorie cooking spray and set to cook for a further 5 minutes.
Step 6
Once this is complete, add the stock, the remaining marinade, peppers, spring onions, fresh chilli and mange tout and cook for a further 10 minutes. Then, it’s ready to serve!
On the stove
Step 1
Add the chilli flakes, 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 in a frying pan on a medium heat, setting aside the remaining marinade. Cook for 10 minutes.
Step 5
After 10 minutes is up, add the chopped onions, spray with low calorie cooking spray and cook for a further 5 minutes.
Step 6
Once this is complete, add the stock, the remaining marinade, peppers, spring onions, fresh chilli and mange tout and cook for a further 10 minutes. Then, it’s ready to serve!
What can I serve with this Firecracker Chicken?
Firecracker Chicken is usually served with some plain rice, which you can add for an extra 146 calories per 125g of cooked rice. You could also have:
Whatever accompaniment you choose, don’t forget to account for the extra calories and/or other nutritional values!
How do you know when this Firecracker Chicken is cooked?
You should cook this Firecracker Chicken for around 25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
Standard advice here in the UK is to cook food until it has reached 70°C and stayed at that temperature for 2 minutes. This is to keep your family safe.
Are there other ways to cook this Firecracker Chicken?
If you haven’t got an Actifry then don’t worry as this can also be made using a pan. We’ve included the stove-top recipe in the recipe card below!
How long can you keep Firecracker Chicken in the fridge?
Once you’ve put it out, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours.
If you allow any left overs to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep leftovers of Firecracker Chicken in the fridge for approximately 2 or 3 days.
Can you freeze this Firecracker Chicken?
This recipe can be frozen, but please remember to do the following;
- Freeze it as soon as it is cold enough.
- Use a container or bag that is suitable for freezing.
- Defrost thoroughly before reheating (you can use the defrost setting on your microwave.)
- Make sure it is piping hot all the way through before serving.
Don’t forget to add a label with what it is, and on what date you put it in the freezer!
How do I reheat this Firecracker Chicken?
From chilled: Place in a microwave proof container with loosely fitting lid and heat for 4-7 minutes until piping hot.
From frozen: Allow to defrost, and heat covered in the microwave for 3-5 minutes then stir. Cook for a further 5-7 minutes until piping hot.
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Firecracker Chicken
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 it to make a slimming friendly version!
-
Prep Time
10 MINS
-
Cook Time
30 MINS
- KCals 276
- Carbs 24G
Instructions
Actifry Method
- Add the chilli flakes, 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 spray with low calorie cooking spray and set to cook for a further 5 minutes.
- Once this is complete, add the stock, the remaining marinade, peppers, spring onions, fresh chilli and mange tout and cook for a further 10 minutes. Once this is complete, it's ready to serve!
On the stove
- Add the chilli flakes, 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 low calorie cooking spray and cook for a further 5 minutes.
- Once this is complete, add the stock, the remaining marinade, peppers, spring onions, fresh chilli and mange tout and cook for a further 10 minutes. Once this is complete, it's ready to serve!
Looking for Slimming World Syns or Weight Watchers (WW) Points?
With ever-changing plans and point calculations, we have made the decision to remove WW Points from the website - referring to your individual plan or advice from your consultant is always going to give the most accurate results.
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96 comments
See what others have to say
ShaunFriday 26th April 2019
The lime wedge isn’t mentioned anywhere when do you add this?
CateFriday 26th April 2019
Hi Shaun!
It’s just for serving, so pop it on top when you plate it up. It can then can be squeezed over before eating.
Hope that helps! 🙂
ElaineThursday 18th April 2019
Added Orzo to it.
Blades931Sunday 14th April 2019
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
Emma TSunday 14th April 2019
So glad you enjoyed it! ????
SaraSunday 7th April 2019
Hi there , just wondered if I can do this without the tamarind paste or use something else please?
Emma TSunday 7th April 2019
Hi Sara,
You could use a squeeze of lime and a pinch of sweetener ????
Hope that helps!
Emma
BethWednesday 6th March 2019
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
Hannah EllisTuesday 19th February 2019
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?
StephSaturday 16th February 2019
How do you get your rice looking so perfect!
RitesSunday 10th February 2019
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
ManniSaturday 10th November 2018
Fab recipe especially as I love wagamammas. Made this about three times now ☺. Wanted to post pic. Thank you.
Jade MullinWednesday 31st October 2018
Hiya
Could I do this without the fish paste and rice vinegar?
Thanks
Jade
BarbaraMonday 8th October 2018
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
SueSunday 19th August 2018
Hi how long would the marinade keep in the fridge and can you freeze it??
patriciaSunday 5th August 2018
I cannot find the recipe for cooking this without an actifry.Thanks
Sharon RooneySunday 13th May 2018
WOW!!! Firecracker chicken is fantastic. So easy to prepare and do so tasty. Thank you PON a winner.
Diana GriceTuesday 1st May 2018
Another cracking PoN recipe to add to our family favourites. Thank you.
LaurenWednesday 18th April 2018
Hi. What could I use instead of tamarind paste?
Thanks
MargaretTuesday 27th March 2018
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
Lyn DeaneMonday 19th March 2018
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.
julie whitfieldTuesday 6th March 2018
im absolutely cooking this in next couple of days
Pamela SmithWednesday 28th February 2018
Where can i get tamarind paste cant find it or can i use something in place of it please? Thanks pamela
Amy BurbidgeSaturday 24th February 2018
Had this tonight and it was gorgeous. Thanks PON!
NikkiMonday 12th February 2018
Wanting to make this tomorrow but just realised I haven’t bought sweetener, can I make without?
Helen HurleyFriday 9th February 2018
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, ????
MandyFriday 9th February 2018
I have the actifry duo will it be the same.
Timings etc.
ClaireThursday 8th February 2018
I’ve tried a few supermarkets for tamirind paste and coming up empty. Any substitute available?
Thanks
Sharon SmithWednesday 7th February 2018
Hi. Looking forward to cooking this later. Can you use sugar snap peas instead of mange Tout?
kathryn edwardsWednesday 7th February 2018
Can you leave it marinade for more than an hour. I want to prepare in the morning to cook in the evening
Thanks
Kim MclachlanTuesday 6th February 2018
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!
Vivienne PenningtonThursday 1st February 2018
Second time of making. Defo a favourite
????
LisaThursday 1st February 2018
Hey where and what oyster sauce is it. Seems to be in so it of recipes.
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