Hunan Chicken
User Reviews
5.0
60 reviews
Excellent
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
276 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Hunan Chicken
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Making my authentic Hunan Chicken is something I truly enjoy whenever I’m craving flavorful Chinese food. With tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a spicy Hunan sauce, this dish is ready in just 30 minutes. I love that I can skip the takeout and serve a homemade meal that’s full of bold flavor, made with high quality ingredients.
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Ingredients
- 2 large boneless chicken breasts cut into strips
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil canola or peanut oil
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 zucchini cut into rounds
- 1 cup carrots sliced into rounds
- 3 chili peppers
- 1 tablespoon sprouted black beans optional
For the sauce:
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon of rice wine
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
- 2 tablespoons chili paste such as Sambal Oelek
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil optional, but great if you have any on hand
Garnish:
- green onions
- sesame seeds
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Instructions
Make the Hunan Sauce:
- Add all the ingredients for the sauce into a bowl and whisk until well combined.
Cook the meat:
- In a bowl add ¼ cup cornstarch and season with a little salt and pepper. Stir to combine with a fork. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat well.
- In a large pan over medium-high heat, add vegetable oil. Drop chicken pieces and cook until both sides are golden brown. Cook chicken in one layer, do not overcrowd. If needed cook in batches. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
Cook the Vegetables:
- Add a bit more vegetable oil to the pan and add vegetables and chili peppers, also add the sprouted beans. Cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring from time to time.
Combine meat and sauce:
- Return the chicken to the pan and also add the sauce. Stir and coat everything into the sauce and cook for 1-2 more minutes, until the sauce thickens.
Serve:
- Transfer to a plate or bowl and serve Hunan chicken with a side of white rice or noodles.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Velveting is one of those techniques I learned along the way that completely changed how I cook stir-fry. It’s a simple method that helps keep the chicken tender and juicy while adding a light crisp texture on the outside. Traditionally, it involves coating the meat in egg white, oil, cornstarch, and sometimes a splash of rice wine before blanching it. But to keep things easy in this recipe, I just toss the raw chicken in cornstarch before browning it. It still gives that soft, velvety bite without all the extra steps, and it’s one of the reasons this dish turns out so good every time.
- I like to make the sauce ahead and freeze it in small Ziploc bags. That way, I always have some ready to go when I need a quick dinner.
- To slice the chicken thinly and evenly, I freeze it for about 20 to 30 minutes first. It firms up just enough to make slicing easier.
- I always cook the chicken in batches to keep it from steaming. Giving it space in the pan helps it get that nice golden crust.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
276kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
16g
(5%)
Protein
27g
(54%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Cholesterol
72mg
(24%)
Sodium
1227mg
(51%)
Potassium
796mg
(23%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
6460IU
(129%)
Vitamin C
51.3mg
(57%)
Calcium
30mg
(3%)
Iron
1.3mg
(7%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 276 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 276kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 72mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 1227mg | 51% |
| Potassium | 796mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 6460IU | 129% |
| Vitamin C | 51.3mg | 57% |
| Calcium | 30mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1.3mg | 7% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
60 reviews
Excellent
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