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:
ChickenChicken BrothSzechuan PeppercornsSoy SauceSesame OilHoisin SauceBell PeppersChili PeppersBrown SugarVegetable OilCornstarchGarlic
Garnishes for hot and spicy chicken can include:
Green OnionsSesame SeedsJulienned 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.
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:
RiceWontonsCrab RangoonPotstickers
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.
More Tasty Chicken Recipes
Chicken FajitasInstant Pot Butter ChickenKeto Chicken Tenders
Pin It!
If you love this Szechuan Chicken as much as we do, make sure you share the recipe with your friends on Facebook and Instagram so they can try it too! Don’t forget to Pin it so you can make it again soon.
