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Szechuan Chicken

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Szechuan Chicken is a spicy, fragrant stir-fry with tender chicken, dried chilies, and numbing Szechuan peppercorns. Packed with bold flavors, it’s a quick and authentic dish that pairs perfectly with steamed rice.

  • Author: Tina
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes (including marinating)
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stir-Fry
  • Cuisine: Chinese (Sichuan)
  • Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Chicken & Marinade:

8 boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks

1 tbsp dark soy sauce

1 tbsp light soy sauce

1 tbsp Chinese rice wine

1/4 tsp white pepper

2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

For Frying & Sauce:

1 cup sunflower oil (reserve 1 tbsp for stir-frying)

1 tbsp sesame oil

1 onion, chopped into chunks

25 dried red chilies (5 chopped, 20 whole)

1 1/2 tsp Szechuan peppercorns, ground

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp minced ginger

5 spring onions, chopped

2 tbsp light soy sauce

1 tbsp Chinese rice wine

1 tbsp chili bean paste (doubanjiang)

1 tbsp sugar

Instructions

  1. Marinate chicken with soy sauces, rice wine, white pepper, and cornflour. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  2. Heat sunflower oil in a pan and fry chicken in batches until golden, about 4–5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
  3. Heat 1 tbsp reserved sunflower oil and sesame oil in a wok. Stir-fry onion and dried chilies for 2–3 minutes.
  4. Add ground Szechuan peppercorns and fry 1 minute.
  5. Stir in garlic, ginger, and spring onions. Cook 30 seconds.
  6. Add soy sauce, rice wine, chili bean paste, and sugar. Stir well.
  7. Return chicken to the wok, toss to coat, and cook 1–2 minutes until heated through.
  8. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Notes

  • Use chicken breast or tofu instead of thighs for variation.
  • Add bell peppers, celery, or broccoli for extra crunch.
  • Swap chili bean paste with gochujang for a slightly sweeter heat.
  • For milder flavor, reduce chilies and peppercorns.
  • Top with roasted peanuts or cashews for added texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/szechuan-chicken/