Easy Szechuan Chicken
Introduction
Experience the bold, spicy, and tongue-tingling flavors of Szechuan cuisine from the comfort of your own kitchen with this Easy Szechuan Chicken. Characterized by its deep chili heat, punchy garlic, and the signature numbing sensation of Szechuan peppercorns, this dish is pure flavor excitement—and it’s far simpler to achieve than you might think.
This recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights or impressing friends with your homemade takeout skills. Every bite delivers crispy chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a sauce that’s strikingly addictive.
Why This Szechuan Chicken Is a Standout
Unlike many Westernized versions, this recipe holds onto the lively spice and aromatic complexity of authentic Szechuan dishes while making smart use of pantry staples and streamlined techniques. The secret is in the expertly balanced sauce and in searing the chicken just until golden—delivering that irresistible combination of tender meat and crisp edges.
Plus, customizing your spice level is easy, so everyone at your table is happy. And since this dish cooks in under 30 minutes, it’s weeknight perfection.
Prepping Your Ingredients with Ease
Efficiency is everything with stir-fries. The quickest way to chop all those fresh peppers, onions, and aromatics is with the help of a handy Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper. This tool ensures even cuts for faster, more even cooking, and seriously cuts down on prep time.
A sturdy Bamboo Cutting Board Set is also invaluable for keeping meat and veggies separate while prepping, minimizing cross-contamination and cleanup.
Cooking Szechuan Chicken for Maximum Flavor
For that crisp-tender chicken, a solid nonstick or cast iron skillet is a must. The SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet delivers excellent searing and easy cleanup, ideal for quick-cooking proteins and sticky Szechuan sauce.
Keep your workspace organized with a Lifewit Silverware Drawer Organizer to make grabbing your spatulas, spoons, and tongs even easier during the high heat action.
Serving and Storing Your Szechuan Chicken
Szechuan chicken is best paired with steamed rice, but it’s also delicious served over a crisp salad in a Bentgo Salad Container for a satisfying lunch on the go.
Leftovers stay fresh and flavorful in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, perfect for quick meals all week.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields 4 generous portions of Szechuan chicken. Each serving contains about 350–400 calories, depending on the amount of oil and choice of add-ins. It’s a balanced meal with lean protein, vegetables, and moderate spice.
Easy Szechuan Chicken (Recap)
This dish is the perfect blend of spicy, savory, and aromatic flavors, all ready in under half an hour. With smart prep, bold sauce, and the right kitchen tools, Easy Szechuan Chicken earns its place as your new takeout favorite—made simply at home.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss chicken with cornstarch until evenly coated for an ultra-crispy finish.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in your SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and almost cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove to a plate.
- Add the remaining oil to the skillet. Stir-fry onions, bell peppers, and dried chilies for 2–3 minutes until just tender. Use the Mueller Pro-Series Vegetable Chopper beforehand for uniform slicing.
- Push veggies to the side, then add garlic, ginger, and Szechuan peppercorns; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Return chicken to the pan. Mix sauce ingredients together in a bowl, then pour over chicken and veggies. Stir well and let simmer, allowing sauce to thicken and coat everything, 2–3 minutes.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed rice or pack into a Bentgo Salad Container for meal prep.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Enjoy the vibrant, restaurant-quality flavors of Szechuan chicken—easy, speedy, and flawlessly spicy!