5.0 from 81 votes
Mala Chicken
Authentic Szechuan Chicken recipe—Mala Chicken
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
37 mins
Servings: 2
Calories: 499 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Chinese
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- cook oil for frying
- 1.5 cup chili peppers
- 1.5 tbsp. Sichuan peppercorn
- 1 root ginger ,sliced
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 scallions ,white part and green part separated andcut into small sections
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 1 tbsp. sesame seeds ,or as needed
- pinch of salt
Marinating
- 1 tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. rice wine
- ¼ tsp. white pepper powder
- 2 tsp. cornstarch ,optional
- small pinch of salt
Instructions
- Cut the dried chili peppers, discard the seeds and then soak the peppers in water for 15 minutes. We are doing this so we can fry the peppers later and prevent burn the peppers.
- Remove the bone of the chicken thighs and then cut into small cubes. In a large bowl, marinade the chicken cubes with all the marinating sauce. Mix well and set aside for around 10 minutes.
- Heat up oil in wok or pan for deep-frying. Heat until really hot (you can see bubbles when you put a chopstick in). Add the chicken cubes in and fry until golden brown. Transfer out. I recommend using a pan and fry the chicken by batches. On one side, it uses less oil and on the other side, the chicken is widely touched with the bottom of the pan, which can speed up the process greatly. After add the chicken cubes, let it stay for a short time (possible about 40 seconds to 1 minute) until one side is browed and then slightly stir the chicken and fry the other side.
- Get a clean wok and add only 1/2 tablespoon of oil and then fry the peppers for 1-2 minutes over slowest fire until most of them becomes dark red. Add Sichuan peppercorn in and continue frying for another 1 minute over slowest fire.
- Push the spices to one side and add 1/2 tablespoon of oil in wok and fry ginger, scallion white and garlic until aromatic.
- Return the chicken cubes, add roasted white sesame seeds, sugar, salt and scallion green sections. Mix well and serve immediately.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- The cornstarch used to marinade chicken can separate water and oil. So the chicken meat will be tender and simultaneously it can reduce the oil absorbed by chicken during deep-frying process.
- Recipe is firstly published in 2013 and updated with new details and pictures in 2017
Nutrition Information
Calories
499kcal
(25%)
Carbohydrates
38g
(13%)
Protein
22g
(44%)
Fat
29g
(45%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
98mg
(33%)
Sodium
520mg
(22%)
Potassium
926mg
(26%)
Fiber
11g
(44%)
Sugar
14g
(28%)
Vitamin A
7540IU
(151%)
Vitamin C
10.9mg
(12%)
Calcium
149mg
(15%)
Iron
4.7mg
(26%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 2Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 499
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 499kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 38g | 13% |
| Protein | 22g | 44% |
| Fat | 29g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 98mg | 33% |
| Sodium | 520mg | 22% |
| Potassium | 926mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 11g | 44% |
| Sugar | 14g | 28% |
| Vitamin A | 7540IU | 151% |
| Vitamin C | 10.9mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 149mg | 15% |
| Iron | 4.7mg | 26% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.