Szechuan Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
366 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Szechuan Chicken
Description
Szechuan Chicken combines marinated, battered fried chicken chunks with a spicy sauce and stir-fried vegetables. The marinade includes cornstarch and rice wine vinegar, which crisps the chicken when fried. The sauce incorporates soy sauce, mirin, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and chili garlic sauce, yielding a balance of savory, sweet, and spicy notes. The stir-fry step uses Szechuan peppercorns, dried whole red chilies, and fresh sliced red chilies alongside bell peppers, garlic, and ginger to build complex heat and aroma. Peanuts add texture and nuttiness to the final dish.
The cooking process involves frying the chicken in batches to maintain crispiness, then stir-frying the vegetables and aromatics before combining everything with the sauce for a well-coated, flavorful result. This dish is suitable as a main served alongside steamed rice or noodles.
The notes advise marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes for optimal texture and flavor. Stir-frying vegetables briefly preserves their crispness. Using a cast-iron or non-stick pan helps prevent sticking and eases cleanup. Frying chicken in batches ensures it becomes properly crispy without crowding the pan.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breast cubed into bite-size pieces, large
- 1/4 cup soy sauce low-sodium
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Chili garlic sauce Asian
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil optional
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Marinade:
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
Other Ingredients:
- vegetable oil as needed for frying
- 1 tablespoon szechuan peppercorn
- 5 red chili cut into thin rounds, plural
- 25 red chili peppers whole, dried
- 1 red bell pepper cut into bite-size cubes
- 1 yellow bell pepper cut into bite-size cubes
- 1 tablespoon ginger minced
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 green onions chopped, stalk
- 1/2 cup peanuts unsalted and roughly chopped, or cashews
Garnish:
- green onion chopped
- sesame seeds
- red chili fresh, more
Instructions
Marinate:
- Combine marinade ingredients in a large bowl and add the cubed chicken. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes or more.
Sauce:
- In a medium bowl combine the sauce ingredients and whisk until corn starch is fully dissolved. Set aside.
Fry:
- Next, add about 1.5-2 inches of oil to a non-stick or cast-iron skillet and place over medium heat.
- Once hot, fry the chicken until browned and crispy. Fry the chicken in one layer, if needed fry in batches. Remove and set aside on a plate.
- Then, discard oil from the pan, leaving only about 2 tablespoons.
Stir-fry:
- Add the Szechuan peppercorns and dried red chilies. Fry for about 1 minute, just until fragrant.
- Add the rest of the fresh red chilies, ginger, garlic, and bell peppers. Stir and fry for about 5 minutes.
- Next, add chopped green onions and nuts. Cook for a minute.
- Add back the fried chicken pieces, give the sauce a good stir and add it to the pan. Toss to coat.
- Stir and cook everything for a few more minutes, until the sauce thickens.
- Serve garnished with chopped scallions, sesame seeds, and more red chilis.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to get a crispy coating that helps the sauce adhere well.
- Stir-fry the bell peppers and aromatics just 2 to 3 minutes to keep them crisp rather than soft.
- Cut chicken pieces evenly to ensure even cooking and tender texture.
- Use a cast-iron or non-stick pan to reduce sticking and simplify cooking and cleanup.
- Fry chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and to ensure crispiness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 366 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 366kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 28g | 9% |
| Protein | 29g | 58% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 73mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 1694mg | 71% |
| Potassium | 888mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 1619IU | 32% |
| Vitamin C | 176mg | 196% |
| Calcium | 47mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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