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Quick & Easy Szechuan Chicken

Szechuan Chicken. Fried chicken tossed in a sweet, savory sauce with spicy flavors and szechuan peppercorns for a mouth-tingling sensation. A Chinese main dish with bold flavors ready in 30 minutes! This serves best with rice.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 0
Calories 574 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Marinade:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil
  • For the Szechuan Sauce:
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorn powder
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

For Stir-Fry:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 5-6 dried red chilies
  • 1-inch piece ginger, minced

Instructions
 

  • Marinate the Chicken:
    In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with cornstarch, cold water, baking soda, and neutral oil. Stir to coat evenly. Let it marinate for at least 20 minutes to enhance tenderness and moisture.
  • Prepare the Szechuan Sauce:
    In a small bowl, whisk together minced garlic, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, ground Sichuan peppercorn powder, and cornstarch. Gradually add the chicken broth while whisking to ensure a smooth sauce consistency. Set aside.
  • Cook the Chicken:
    Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  • Sauté the Aromatics:
    In the same skillet, add the sliced onion, red bell pepper, dried red chilies, and minced ginger. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender.
  • Combine and Cook:
    Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Pour the prepared Szechuan sauce over everything. Stir well to coat the chicken and vegetables in the sauce.
  • Simmer to Thicken:
    Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and vegetables evenly.
  • Serve:
    Transfer the Szechuan chicken to a serving dish. Optionally, garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles for a full meal experience.

Notes

By following these steps, you can recreate the bold and spicy flavors of Szechuan chicken right in your own kitchen.

Nutrition

Calories: 574kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 53gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 2295mgPotassium: 1235mgFiber: 4gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 1836IUVitamin C: 113mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 2mg
This is Szechuan Chicken