Szechuan Chicken is a deliciously simple hot and spicy chicken recipe that is an affordable way to enjoy all of the flavors of takeout at home! Adjust the spice level to make this a weeknight dinner the whole family will enjoy.

Why You'll Love This Hot And Spicy Chicken

Easy. A quick and easy weeknight meal that is ready in under 30 minutes.
Flavorful. Packed with sweet, spicy, and umami flavors, this Szechuan chicken is sure to be added to your dinner rotation.
Budget-friendly. Get all of your favorite take-out flavors at a fraction of the price when you make Szechuan Chicken at home!

What Is The Flavor Of Szechuan Chicken?

Szechuan chicken is known for its bold and complex flavor, with a perfect balance of spicy, numbing, savory, and aromatic elements.

Spicy- Szechuan cuisine is renowned for its use of spicy ingredients, particularly the Szechuan peppercorn and dried red chili peppers. These elements give the dish a fiery, tingling sensation on the palate.
Numbing- Szechuan peppercorns, in particular, are known for their numbing effect, which is unique to this cuisine. They create a sensation that is akin to a mild anesthesia on the tongue and lips.
Savory and Umami- Szechuan chicken typically contains umami-rich ingredients such as soy sauce, fermented bean paste (usually doubanjiang), and often black vinegar. These ingredients contribute to the dish's deep and savory taste.
Garlicky- Garlic is a common ingredient in Szechuan chicken recipes. It adds a pungent and aromatic dimension to the flavor.
Slightly Sweet- Some recipes might include a touch of sweetness, often from sugar or hoisin sauce, to balance out the spiciness and create a well-rounded flavor profile.
Aromatics- Aromatics like ginger, garlic, and scallions are frequently used in Szechuan chicken to infuse the dish with fragrant undertones.

What Is Typically In Szechuan Chicken?

The beauty of Szechuan Chicken is that it can be customized to fit your flavor and ingredient preferences.

Here are a few things that are commonly found in this hot and spicy chicken dish, but the list of ingredients can vary depending on which recipe you use:

Chicken
Chicken Broth
Szechuan Peppercorns
Soy Sauce
Sesame Oil
Hoisin Sauce
Bell Peppers
Chili Peppers
Brown Sugar
Vegetable Oil
Cornstarch
Garlic

Garnishes for hot and spicy chicken can include:

Green Onions
Sesame Seeds
Julienned Carrots

How To Make Szechuan Chicken

There are several steps to making this Szechuan Chicken recipe, but if you follow the steps below, it will make this dinner a breeze.

Combine cornstarch, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a large bowl.
Chop chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss them in the cornstarch mixture.
Place the oil in a skillet on your stovetop and allow the oil to become hot. Add the chunks of chicken to the oil in a single layer, careful not to overcrowd it. You may need to cook the chicken in two batches, depending on the size of your skillet.
Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F, remove it from the skillet and allow it to rest on a plate.
In the same skillet, add chopped bell peppers, onion, Szechuan peppercorns, and red chilies and cook over medium-low heat until the peppers are tender and the onions are translucent.
While the vegetables are cooking, mix together the chicken broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, cornstarch, and brown sugar in a separate bowl.
Add the sauce mixture to the cooked vegetables. Allow it to simmer until the sauce begins to thicken. Next, stir the cooked chicken into the sauce and veggie combination.
Remove the Szechuan Chicken from the skillet, serve and enjoy!

Szechuan Chicken in a blue bowl on a striped towel

Variations

Make it mild. The sauce in this Szechuan Chicken can be a bit on the spicy side, so if you have a low tolerance for heat, you can simply reduce or completely omit the diced chilies.
Double up the sauce. Have I mentioned the sauce yet in this recipe? Just kidding. It's seriously the star of the dish, and for good reason. It's so flavor-packed and delicious! If you want to have extra sauce to soak up in a bowl of rice, double up the sauce ingredients but keep the amount of chicken and veggies the same.
Pick a different protein. If your family isn't a huge fan of chicken, you can enjoy the same flavors paired with a different protein. Try it with cooked steak, pork, or even ground beef.

What Do You Serve With It?

Chances are you'll be so busy stuffing your face with tasty chunks of hot and spicy chicken you won't even think about eating anything else.

If you want to enjoy the familiarity of your favorite takeout experience, here are some things you could enjoy alongside this Szechuan Chicken recipe:

How Long Does It Last?

Szechuan Chicken is just as great reheated as it is fresh. The flavor of the sauce is vibrant and the chicken is tender. So, if you have anything left over, don't worry! It'll be just as good the next day.

For the best bite, store any extras in an airtight container for up to 4 days, reheat, and enjoy.

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Szechuan Chicken | Hot and Spicy Chicken Recipe