Szechuan Sesame Chicken

Experience the bold, tingling flavors of Szechuan Sesame Chicken, a vibrant dish that perfectly balances spicy, savory, and nutty notes. This recipe features tender bites of crispy, golden-fried chicken thighs coated in a rich, aromatic sauce made with soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, and the distinctive heat of Szechuan peppercorns. Minced garlic, fresh ginger, and red chili flakes lend a robust kick, while toasted sesame seeds and a drizzle of sesame oil enhance its deep, toasty flavor. Ready in just 40 minutes, this crowd-pleasing dish is best served over steamed rice or noodles, making it a perfect weeknight dinner or impressive weekend feast. Don't forget the sliced green onions for a fresh, zesty garnish!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 0.5 cup Cornstarch
• 2 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp Fresh ginger, minced
• 1 tsp Red chili flakes
• 3 tbsp Soy sauce
• 2 tbsp Rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp Hoisin sauce
• 1 tsp Szechuan peppercorns, ground
• 1 tsp Sesame oil
• 1 tbsp Brown sugar
• 0.25 cup Water
• 2 tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
• 2 Green onions, thinly sliced

Directions

Step 1

Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and pat them dry with paper towels.

Step 2

Place the cornstarch in a large bowl, add the chicken, and toss to evenly coat each piece.

Step 3

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot (about 350°F), fry the chicken in batches until golden and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Remove and drain on a plate lined with paper towels.

Step 4

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and water. Set aside.

Step 5

In a clean skillet or wok, add 1 tablespoon of the frying oil. Heat over medium heat, then add the minced garlic, ginger, and red chili flakes. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 6

Add the ground Szechuan peppercorns to the garlic-ginger mixture and stir for another 30 seconds.

Step 7

Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet. Bring it to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 8

Add the fried chicken to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.

Step 9

Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Step 10

Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles, garnished with extra sesame seeds and green onions if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1213.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5072.5

Total Fat 523.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 78.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.4g
Cholesterol 385.7mg	0%
Sodium 2648.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 65.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.2g	0%
Total Sugars 18.6g
Protein 78.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 256.0mg	0%
Iron 7.4mg	0%
Potassium 1282.2mg	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: 89.1%

Protein: 5.9%

Carbs: 5.0%