Szechuan Chicken
User Reviews
5.0
75 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
366 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Szechuan Chicken
Report
This Szechuan Chicken is better than takeout and comes together in just 30 minutes right in my own kitchen. I fry juicy pieces of chicken until they’re perfectly crisp, then toss them in a spicy sauce with colorful bell peppers and that signature tingle from Szechuan peppercorns. Every bite is so distinct and flavorful, and when I serve it over a bed of rice, it becomes the best kind of family meal.
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Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts cubed into bite-size pieces
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons mirim
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Asian chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 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 chilis cut into thin rounds
- 25 dried red chilis whole
- 1 red bell pepper cut into bite-size cubes
- 1 yellow bell pepper cut into bite-size cubes
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 stalk green onions chopped
- 1/2 cup peanuts or cashews unsalted and roughly chopped
Garnish:
- green onion chopped
- sesame seeds
- More fresh red chilis
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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
- This extra step does more than just add flavor. The cornstarch creates a light coating that helps the chicken get nice and crispy when fried, and it also helps the sauce cling to every piece. I recommend letting it marinate for at least 30 minutes. It’s that one little trick that makes homemade Szechuan Chicken taste just like the crispy, saucy version from a great restaurant, only better, because you made it yourself.
- Make sure to stir fry the vegetables just enough for 2 to 3 minutes. I like them crisp, not soft, so I always keep an eye on the timing.
- I cut the chicken breasts into even pieces before cooking. This helps everything cook at the same pace and keeps the chicken tender.
- Use a cast-iron or non-stick pan to prevent sticking. It makes cooking and cleanup so much easier.
- I always fry the chicken in batches. If the pan is too crowded, it won’t get that crispy texture I’m looking for.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
366kcal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
28g
(9%)
Protein
29g
(58%)
Fat
15g
(23%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
73mg
(24%)
Sodium
1694mg
(71%)
Potassium
888mg
(25%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
12g
(24%)
Vitamin A
1619IU
(32%)
Vitamin C
176mg
(196%)
Calcium
47mg
(5%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition 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.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
75 reviews
Excellent
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