Szechuan Chicken

Dive into the bold and fiery flavors of Szechuan Chicken, a classic Chinese stir-fry recipe that packs a punch! This dish features tender strips of marinated chicken, stir-fried to perfection with a medley of colorful bell peppers, scallions, and aromatic garlic and ginger. Infused with the signature tingling heat of Szechuan peppercorns and dried red chilies, the spicy kick is beautifully balanced by a savory-sweet sauce made with dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a hint of sugar. Ready in just 35 minutes, Szechuan Chicken is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, perfect for busy weeknights or an exotic weekend dinner. Serve it piping hot with steamed rice or noodles for an unforgettable meal bursting with authentic Chinese flavors!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams boneless chicken breast
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 12 pieces dried red chilies
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 inch piece ginger
• 1 teaspoon Szechuan peppercorns
• 1 medium green bell pepper
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 4 pieces scallions
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons water

Directions

Step 1

Begin by slicing the chicken breast into thin strips. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. Mix well and set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.

Step 2

As the chicken marinates, prepare the rest of the ingredients: Peel and thinly slice the garlic cloves. Peel and finely chop the ginger. Cut the green and red bell peppers into thin strips, and chop the scallions into inch-long pieces.

Step 3

In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce, 2 teaspoons rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons sugar, and 4 tablespoons water to create the sauce. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely and set aside.

Step 4

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the dried red chilies and Szechuan peppercorns. Stir-fry these spices for about a minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn them.

Step 5

Add the marinated chicken strips to the wok and stir-fry for about 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned. Remove the chicken from the wok and set aside on a plate.

Step 6

In the same wok, add the prepped garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for 30 seconds. Then, add the sliced bell peppers and continue stir-frying for another 3-4 minutes until they are just tender yet still crisp.

Step 7

Return the cooked chicken to the wok, followed by the sauce and chopped scallions. Stir-fry everything together quickly, ensuring the chicken and vegetables are well-coated in the sauce. Allow the sauce to thicken slightly and the ingredients to heat through.

Step 8

Transfer the Szechuan Chicken to a serving dish. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1078.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1392.1

Total Fat 60.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 10.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 25.3g
Cholesterol 430mg	0%
Sodium 3909.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 69.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.3g	0%
Total Sugars 19.9g
Protein 152.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 199.6mg	0%
Iron 8.4mg	0%
Potassium 2808.1mg	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: 38.0%

Protein: 42.7%

Carbs: 19.3%