Paleo Szechuan Chicken

Spice up your dinner with this irresistible Paleo Szechuan Chicken, a healthy twist on the classic Chinese dish that’s brimming with bold, fiery flavors. Tender, bite-sized chicken thighs are lightly coated in arrowroot starch for a crisp exterior, then tossed in a savory-sweet sauce made with coconut aminos, honey, and crushed Szechuan peppercorns for that signature tongue-tingling heat. Garlic, ginger, and chili flakes build layers of aromatic depth, while a garnish of green onions and optional toasted sesame seeds adds a fresh, nutty crunch. Perfectly Paleo and gluten-free, this quick and easy recipe comes together in just 35 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner. Serve it solo or pair it with cauliflower rice for a wholesome, flavorful meal that’s sure to become a favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 48/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken thighs (boneless, skinless, chopped into bite-sized pieces)
• 2 tbsp arrowroot starch
• 2 tbsp avocado oil (or coconut oil)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp ginger (minced)
• 1 tsp dried red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• 3 tbsp coconut aminos
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp fish sauce
• 2 tsp honey
• 1 tsp crushed Szechuan peppercorns
• 2 stalks green onions (sliced, for garnish)
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium bowl, add the chopped chicken thighs and sprinkle with arrowroot starch. Toss to evenly coat the chicken and set aside.

Step 2

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil. Once hot, add the chicken in a single layer, cooking for 6–7 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the pan. Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of avocado oil. Add the minced garlic, ginger, and dried red chili flakes. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4

In a small bowl, whisk together coconut aminos, rice vinegar, fish sauce, honey, and crushed Szechuan peppercorns. Pour this sauce into the skillet with the aromatics and stir well.

Step 5

Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat it in the sauce. Let it cook for another 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and cling to the chicken pieces.

Step 6

Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if using.

Step 7

Serve immediately on its own or alongside cauliflower rice for a complete Paleo-friendly meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(198.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	518.1

Total Fat 31.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2074.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 56.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.4g	0%
Total Sugars 22.3g
Protein 3.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 107.2mg	0%
Iron 2.6mg	0%
Potassium 190.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.0%

Protein: 2.6%

Carbs: 43.4%