Spicy Szechuan Chicken Delight
Indulge in the tantalizing flavors of Spicy Szechuan Chicken Delight, a vibrant dish that perfectly balances succulent chicken pieces with a spicy sauce that packs a punch. Coated in a velvety blend of egg white, cornstarch, and aromatic seasonings, the chicken is stir-fried to perfection, then tossed in a rich sauce enhanced with crunchy peanuts and green onions. This dish is not just a meal—it’s an explosion of flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Szechuan cuisine. Ideal for sharing with family or friends, this recipe is perfect for a special dinner or a festive gathering.
N/A
Servings
210
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 1/4 lbs (cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
egg white
1 (beaten)
cornstarch
4 teaspoons (divided)
Chinese chili paste with garlic
1 teaspoon (to taste)
soy sauce
2 tablespoons
dry sherry
1 teaspoon
red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon
chicken broth
1/4 cup
oriental sesame oil
1 teaspoon
vegetable oil
3 tablespoons (for frying)
unsalted peanuts
1/2 cup
green onions
4 (chopped into 1/2-inch pieces)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
crushed red pepper flakes
1/2-1 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, mix the boneless skinless chicken breasts with the egg white and 3 teaspoons of cornstarch. Toss well to ensure each piece is well-coated.
2
In another bowl, whisk together the chili paste, soy sauce, dry sherry, red wine vinegar, chicken broth, remaining 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, and sesame oil. Set this flavorful sauce aside.
3
In a wok or a large frying pan, heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the coated chicken pieces and stir-fry for about 4 minutes, or until the chicken is separated and fully cooked, turning white. Remove the chicken using a slotted spoon and let it drain on paper towels.
4
In the same pan, carefully fry the unsalted peanuts over medium heat until they are golden brown, roughly 3 minutes. Ensure they don’t burn, and remove them to drain on paper towels.
5
After frying the peanuts, remove all but 2 tablespoons of oil from the pan. Add the chopped green onions, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir-fry these aromatics for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
6
Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir-fry over high heat for an additional minute, allowing the flavors to meld.
7
Pour the prepared sauce into the pan, stirring to coat the chicken thoroughly. Cook until the sauce is heated through and has thickened slightly.
8
Finally, stir in the golden-brown peanuts and serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
Nutrition Information
13g
Fat
8g
Carbs
13g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Szechuan Chicken Delight?
It is a vibrant Szechuan dish featuring succulent chicken pieces, a spicy sauce, crunchy peanuts, and green onions.
How should the chicken be prepared before cooking?
The boneless skinless chicken breasts should be cut into 1/2-inch pieces and coated with a mix of egg white and 3 teaspoons of cornstarch.
What ingredients are used in the sauce?
The sauce contains chili paste, soy sauce, dry sherry, red wine vinegar, chicken broth, cornstarch, and sesame oil.
How much chicken is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts.
How long does it take to stir-fry the chicken?
The chicken should be stir-fried for about 4 minutes until it turns white and is fully cooked.
What type of peanuts are used in this dish?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of unsalted peanuts.
How are the peanuts prepared?
The peanuts are fried in the pan over medium heat for roughly 3 minutes until golden brown.
What aromatics provide flavor to the stir-fry?
The flavor is enhanced by 4 chopped green onions, 2 minced garlic cloves, and crushed red pepper flakes.
How long should the aromatics be stir-fried?
The green onions, garlic, and red pepper flakes should be stir-fried for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
What is the calorie count for this dish?
There are 210 calories in a serving of Spicy Szechuan Chicken Delight.
How much protein is in the recipe?
This dish provides 13g of protein per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
There is 13g of fat in each serving.
How many carbohydrates does this recipe contain?
Each serving contains 8g of carbohydrates.
What type of oil is used for frying?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil for frying.
What kind of vinegar is needed for the sauce?
One teaspoon of red wine vinegar is used in the sauce.
Is there a specific type of chili paste recommended?
The recipe suggests Chinese chili paste with garlic.
How much soy sauce is used?
Two tablespoons of soy sauce are included in the flavorful sauce blend.
What kind of sherry is used?
The recipe calls for one teaspoon of dry sherry.
How much cornstarch is used in total?
A total of 4 teaspoons of cornstarch is used, divided between the chicken coating and the sauce.
What is the final step in the cooking process?
The final step is to stir in the golden-brown peanuts and serve the dish hot.
What are the serving suggestions for this dish?
It is recommended to serve the chicken hot over steamed rice or noodles.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 2 minced garlic cloves.
How should the green onions be chopped?
The 4 green onions should be chopped into 1/2-inch pieces.
What is the heat level of this recipe?
The dish is spicy, featuring chili paste and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the dish?
Yes, the chili paste and red pepper flakes can be adjusted to your personal taste.
What type of sesame oil is used?
The recipe calls for one teaspoon of oriental sesame oil.
When do you add the sauce to the pan?
The sauce is added after the chicken has been returned to the pan and stir-fried over high heat for a minute.
How much chicken broth is required?
The sauce uses 1/4 cup of chicken broth.
What heat setting is used to fry the peanuts?
The peanuts should be fried over medium heat to ensure they do not burn.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 14 distinct ingredients used in this Spicy Szechuan Chicken Delight recipe.