If you’re after a bold, crave-worthy dinner that practically sizzles with excitement, Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion is about to become your new obsession. Imagine tender chunks of golden-fried chicken drenched in a sticky, fiery-sweet glaze—equal parts comforting, mouth-tingling, and 100% irresistible!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fiery-Sweet Sauce: The signature glaze mingles buffalo heat, sriracha, honey, and tangy vinegar in every bite.
- Crispy Perfection: Cornstarch and a quick fry give each piece that irresistible, golden crunch—no soggy chicken here!
- Customize Your Heat: Love spice? Make it volcanic! Prefer less drama? Tone down the chili, and you’re in control.
- Perfect for Sharing: Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a party, this Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion brings everyone running to the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making this Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion is all about simple, real ingredients—each one playing an important role in the unforgettable taste, crispy texture, or glossy finish that makes this dish a total favorite. Here’s what you’ll need and why each addition matters:
- Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breast forms the juicy, tender foundation for soaking up all that bold flavor.
- Cornstarch: This is the secret to an ultra-crispy crust without any heaviness—your chicken will come out light and shatteringly crisp.
- Eggs: The eggs act as both binder and moisture, ensuring that gorgeous golden breading clings to each piece.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Seasoning starts in the breading, so every bite tastes delicious from the inside out.
- Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil is perfect for frying and lets the spicy sauce be the true star.
- Buffalo Sauce: The foundation for that spicy kick, bringing the classic heat and tang.
- Light Brown Sugar: Balances the fire with a caramelized sweetness, giving the sauce its signature sticky texture.
- Sriracha: Adds unmistakable chili punch and gorgeous color.
- Rice Vinegar: A splash of vinegar lifts the whole sauce, adding brightness to every mouthful.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic infuses the glaze with irresistible aroma and depth.
- Honey: Brings sweetness and a lovely sheen to the glaze, helping it cling perfectly to the chicken.
- Unsalted Butter: Finishes the sauce with velvety richness for that restaurant-worthy touch.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Optional, but ideal if you want an extra punch of heat and those beautiful flecks.
Variations
The best part about Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion? You can make it truly your own! With a few easy tweaks, you can adjust to whatever you have on hand, turn up (or down!) the heat, or adapt it for dietary preferences. Let your kitchen creativity erupt!
- Swap the Protein: Try boneless chicken thighs for extra juiciness, or go vegetarian with crispy tofu or cauliflower for a plant-based twist.
- Mild Version: If you prefer less spice, cut the sriracha in half and skip the extra pepper flakes for a gentle, family-friendly glaze.
- Gluten-Free Assurance: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but double-check your rice vinegar or swap for apple cider vinegar if needed.
- Lighter Method: Skip the deep-frying and sauté lightly breaded chicken in just a touch of oil—still crispy, but light enough for every day.
How to Make Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion
Step 1: Cook Up the Legendary Volcano Sauce
Start by adding your buffalo sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sriracha, minced garlic, honey, butter, and red pepper flakes into a saucepan set over medium heat. Bring it all to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens into a glossy, fiery glaze. Once it’s nice and syrupy, take it off the heat and pour into a large bowl—you’ll toss your chicken in here later, so be generous!
Step 2: Prepare and Bread the Chicken
Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces so every mouthful gets that magical sauce-to-chicken ratio. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, salt, and pepper. In a second small bowl, whisk the eggs with more salt and pepper. Working in small batches, dip each chicken piece first into the cornstarch mixture (shake off any excess!), then into the egg bath, letting any drips fall back into the bowl. This double-dip is the key to that addictively crispy finish!
Step 3: Fry to Crispy Golden Perfection
Heat your vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F—if you don’t have a thermometer, drop in a small bread cube; it should sizzle and turn golden in about 60 seconds. Fry the breaded chicken in batches, careful not to overcrowd, until each piece is deeply golden and crackling, about 6-7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Step 4: Toss and Serve That Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion!
If your delicious volcano glaze has thickened as it cooled, give it a few seconds in the microwave to loosen. Gently toss the hot, crispy chicken pieces in the glaze until every bite is coated in that spicy-sweet sheen. Shower with green onions and sesame seeds, then get ready for the most fun, flavor-packed meal ever.
Pro Tips for Making Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion
- Sauce Consistency Matters: Simmer until the sauce just thickens—you want it syrupy so it clings perfectly, but not so thick it turns sticky as it cools.
- Bread in Batches: Coat and fry your chicken in small groups to avoid clumping, and ensure every piece gets that beautifully crisp exterior.
- Oil Temperature Sweet Spot: Keep the oil around 350°F; too cool and your chicken gets greasy, too hot and the crust will brown before the inside is cooked.
- Bold Garnish, Big Flavor: Fresh green onions and sesame seeds aren’t just for looks—they add a bright, toasty pop that balances all the spice!
How to Serve Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion
Garnishes
Finish your Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion with a flurry of thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Not only does it make your platter pop with color and texture, but those fresh, sharp notes cut through the sticky glaze for the perfect, mouthwatering contrast.
Side Dishes
This electrifying dish plays perfectly with steamed jasmine rice, fluffy white rice, or lo mein noodles—the ideal partners to soak up extra sauce. For a lighter twist, serve alongside simple sautéed veggies or a crisp cucumber salad to tame the heat and round out your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Hosting a crowd? Serve Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion skewered as spicy party pops, or pile high in lettuce wraps for a fun, hands-on appetizer. For a dramatic dinner, plate on a big platter with extra sauce on the side and let everyone dig in family-style!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the chicken separate from extra sauce if possible—this helps maintain as much crispness as you can for a great round two.
Freezing
You can freeze the breaded, cooked chicken (before tossing in sauce) tightly wrapped for up to one month. Flash-freeze in a single layer first, then transfer to a bag—just reheat in the oven for best texture, glaze fresh, and enjoy!
Reheating
To bring leftover Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion back to life, reheat in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes until hot and crispy, or use an air fryer. You can also microwave in a pinch, but for best results, the oven keeps that irresistible crunch.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast for Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe and bring extra juiciness to every bite. The breading and sauce cling just as well, so feel free to swap based on preference or availability.
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How spicy is Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion? Can I make it milder?
The heat level is customizable! The combination of buffalo sauce, sriracha, and red pepper flakes gives this dish its signature kick, but you can easily dial it back by using less sriracha and omitting extra chili flakes for a gentler flavor the whole family can love.
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Can I bake Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion instead of frying it?
Definitely! For a lighter version, coat the chicken pieces as directed and bake on a wire rack set over a baking sheet at 425°F, flipping once until crisp. You won’t get quite the same deep-fry crunch, but the sauce will still be deliciously sticky and satisfying.
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What kind of vinegar can I use if I don’t have rice vinegar on hand?
If you’re out of rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar is a great substitute—it gives the sauce the same bright, tangy zip without overpowering the other bold flavors of your Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like sitting down to a plate of Spicy Volcano Chicken Explosion—each bite is a mini adventure of crunch, tenderness, and bright spicy-sweet flavor. Whether you’re serving friends, family, or just treating yourself, this is a meal meant to be savored and shared. Give it a try and watch it become an instant favorite at your table!
PrintSizzling Volcano Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying, Tossing
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Enjoy the explosive flavors of Volcano Chicken with a sweet and spicy glaze that will make your taste buds erupt with joy. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a crispy batter and then tossed in a sticky, fiery sauce for a mouthwatering dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Volcano Sauce
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons finely minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes to taste
Breaded Chicken
- 1 1/2 pound chicken breast cut into small pieces
- 3/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- TO MAKE THE SAUCE – Over medium heat, add buffalo sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sriracha, minced garlic, honey, butter, and red pepper flakes to a pot or saucepan. Bring to a simmer to thicken into a glaze. Once it is thick, take off the heat and transfer to a large bowl. Set aside.
- Cut chicken breast into small pieces.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together cornstarch, a sprinkle of salt, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
- In small deep bowl, whisk together eggs, a sprinkle of salt, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
- Heat vegetable oil to 350°F in a frying pan.
- Dip a few chicken pieces at a time first in the dry batter, shaking any excess drip off, and then into the wet, letting any excess drip off.
- Drop the breaded chicken in, making sure not to overcrowd. Fry in two batches. Once golden, about 6 to 7 minutes, take out of the oil and drain any excess oil on a wire rack.
- Toss the chicken in the glaze. If the glaze has thickened too much as it cools, warm it up for 10 seconds in the microwave first and then toss.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds and enjoy with rice, noodles, or veggies!
Notes
- This recipe uses chicken breast but feel free to use chicken thigh if that’s all you have or what you prefer.
- To make it more spicy, add more sriracha or add more red pepper chili flakes to taste.
- If you want to skip the deep frying and make this lighter, don’t bread and fry the chicken. Just coat chicken in some cornstarch and saute it in a pan to brown it. Then just toss it in the sauce!
- Rice vinegar can be found in the Asian section of the international aisle of your grocery store. If you cannot get your hands on it, replace it with apple cider vinegar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 842mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 135mg