Spicy Szechuan Chicken (43 Minutes)

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Spicy Szechuan Chicken is a bold and flavorful dish from the Szechuan province of China, known for its distinctive spicy and pungent flavors.

This dish features tender pieces of chicken stir-fried with red and green bell peppers, onions, and a host of aromatic spices that create a rich and fiery sauce.

It’s perfect for those who love a good kick in their meal and enjoy the deep, complex flavors of traditional Chinese cuisine.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch ginger, minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Szechuan peppercorns, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional: green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

  1. Marinate Chicken (15 minutes): In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
  2. Prepare Szechuan Sauce (5 minutes): In a separate bowl, mix together hoisin sauce, the remaining tablespoon of soy sauce, crushed Szechuan peppercorns, chili flakes, and sesame oil. Set aside.
  3. Stir-Fry Vegetables (5 minutes): Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the sliced red and green bell peppers and onions, stir-frying until they are slightly softened but still crisp. Remove the vegetables from the wok and set aside.
  4. Cook Chicken (10 minutes): Add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil to the wok. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry until it is cooked through and golden.
  5. Combine Ingredients (5 minutes): Add the minced garlic and ginger to the chicken and stir-fry for another minute. Return the cooked vegetables to the wok. Pour the Szechuan sauce over the chicken and vegetables, tossing everything together until evenly coated.
  6. Serve (2 minutes): Season with salt to taste. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
  7. Enjoy (1 minute): Serve the spicy Szechuan chicken hot, ideally with steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

To create an authentic spicy Szechuan chicken, it’s crucial to balance the heat from the chili flakes with the numbing effect of the Szechuan peppercorns. Do be sure to adjust the level of spiciness to your preference.

The quick stir-fry technique helps retain the crunch of the vegetables while ensuring the chicken is tender and flavorful. Feel free to mix in any other favorite veggies such as mushrooms or snap peas.

Serve this dish with a hot bowl of rice for a complete meal and enjoy!

*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.

Nutrition

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