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Szechuan Chicken in a plate

Szechuan Chicken (Schezwan Chicken)

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Szechuan Chicken, also known as Schezwan Chicken, is a classic dish from China's Sichuan province. This spicy favorite is prepared with boneless chicken and a vibrant mix of seasonings, including the distinctive Sichuan Peppers. It pairs perfectly with fried rice, noodles, or can be enjoyed as a delicious standalone starter.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Asian, Chinese
Diet Halal
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 392
Author Sangeetha Vel

Ingredients

For Marination

  • 1¼ lb Chicken boneless
  • 1 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Pepper Powder
  • 1 tsp Brown Sugar
  • 1½ tsp Chinese Five Spice Powder
  • ¼ tsp Baking Soda
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • 2 tbsp Cornstarch

For Stir-Frying

  • 2 tsp Sesame Oil
  • 2 tsp Garlic chopped
  • 1 tsp Ginger sliced
  • 12 Dry Red Chili soaked in hot water
  • 3 tbsp Green Onions
  • 1 tsp Sichuan Pepper crushed, start with half if you are new to this flavor
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Marinating the Chicken

  • In a bowl, add bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken and mix them with dark soy sauce, pepper, garlic powder, Chinese five-spice powder, brown sugar, a pinch of salt, baking soda, and cornstarch.
    marinating chicken with corn starch and other ingredients
  • Stir everything together until well combined. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the meat to tenderize. For even more flavor, consider marinating it for an hour or longer if you have the time.
    Marinated chicken is allowed to rest

Frying the Chicken

  • Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken pieces and fry them until they're golden brown on both sides.
    Frying the chicken until brown
  • After frying, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. This will keep the chicken crispy for when you add it back to the dish later.
    drained fried chicken

Making Szechuan Chicken

  • Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped garlic, ginger, spring onions, and dry red chili. Stir-fry these ingredients for 2 to 3 minutes until they become aromatic.
    stirfrying the chili, spring onions, garlic and ginger
  • Stir in crushed Sichuan pepper to infuse the dish with its authentic Szechuan flavor.
    adding Sichuan peppers
  • Add the previously fried chicken back into the pan. Mix everything thoroughly to ensure the chicken is well-coated with the spices and aromatics. Your Szechuan Chicken is now ready to be enjoyed.
    stir frying the chicken with other ingredients

Serving

  • Serve the hot and spicy Szechuan Chicken as a delicious starter or pair it with rice, fried rice, or noodles for a flavorful and satisfying meal. This versatile dish is sure to spice up your dining experience!
    serving Szechuan Chicken

Notes

Elevate your Szechuan Chicken with my tips and versatile variations to maximize flavor and tailor the dish to your personal taste preferences.

Cooking Tips:

  • Authentic Flavor: Sichuan Peppers are crucial for achieving that true Szechuan Chicken flavor. If they're challenging to find, ground pepper powder can be a temporary substitute, but for the best authenticity, source Sichuan Peppers from Asian markets or online.
  • Sichuan Pepper Starter: If you're new to Sichuan pepper and its famous numbing effect, begin with a modest amount and adjust to taste based on how you like it.
  • Use Fresh Ingredients: The use of fresh ginger, garlic, and spring onions significantly elevates the flavor compared to their dried or pre-prepared counterparts, adding freshness and zest.
  • Control the Heat: Tailor the spiciness by adjusting the amount of Sichuan peppers and dry red chilies to your liking. Begin with a smaller amount and increase gradually to find your ideal spice level.
  • Frying Options: While deep-frying is traditional, pan-frying provides a less oily alternative and still delivers great flavor.
  • Stir-Frying: To replicate that restaurant-style Schezwan Chicken, cook the chicken and seasonings on high-medium heat until perfectly seared.
  • Salt Caution: Be mindful of the salt content since soy sauce is inherently salty. Adjust additional salt sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish.

Variations:

  • Vegetable Options: Amp up the nutrition by adding vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, and carrots, which blend beautifully with the spicy chicken.
  • Protein Varieties: For a different twist, substitute chicken with shrimp or firm tofu, both of which make excellent alternatives and absorb the flavors well.
  • Nuts for Crunch: Cashews or peanuts can be introduced for an unexpected crunch and a nutty flavor dimension, enhancing the overall texture and taste of the dish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 392kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 818mg | Potassium: 382mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 706IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 3mg

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