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Szechuan Chicken
5 from 75 votes

Szechuan Chicken

Szechuan Chicken features bite-size chicken pieces marinated with cornstarch and spices for a crispy texture when fried. Combined with a sauce of soy sauce, mirin, and chili garlic sauce, and stir-fried alongside bell peppers, ginger, garlic, and peanuts, this dish balances spicy and savory flavors with a crunchy finish. The use of dried and fresh red chilies adds varying heat levels and fragrance, making it a dynamic and flavorful meal choice.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 366 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

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:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine marinade ingredients in a large bowl and add the cubed chicken. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes or more.
Sauce:
  1. In a medium bowl combine the sauce ingredients and whisk until corn starch is fully dissolved. Set aside.
Fry:
  1. Next, add about 1.5-2 inches of oil to a non-stick or cast-iron skillet and place over medium heat.
  2. 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.
  3. Then, discard oil from the pan, leaving only about 2 tablespoons.
Stir-fry:
  1. Add the Szechuan peppercorns and dried red chilies. Fry for about 1 minute, just until fragrant.
  2. Add the rest of the fresh red chilies, ginger, garlic, and bell peppers. Stir and fry for about 5 minutes.
  3. Next, add chopped green onions and nuts. Cook for a minute.
  4. Add back the fried chicken pieces, give the sauce a good stir and add it to the pan. Toss to coat.
  5. Stir and cook everything for a few more minutes, until the sauce thickens.
  6. 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

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%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 366

% 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.