Szechuan Rooster Recipe | The Recipe Critic

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Szechuan hen is all about daring flavors, with the proper stability of warmth, sweetness, and tanginess. And the perfect half? It’s approach higher than the takeout model! Let’s hearth up these style buds and get cooking!

As a lot as I like Chinese language takeout, it may get expensive. I’ll allow you to in on a secret- you can also make your entire Chinese language takeout faves at residence with just some easy components! A couple of of my favourite recipes to attempt: sluggish cooker Common Tso’s hen, kung pao shrimp, and a few crispy crab rangoon to finish your meal!

Top-down view of Szechuan chicken served in a blue-green bowl.

What’s Szechuan Rooster?

Szechuan hen is a mouthwatering Chinese language dish that’s cherished by many, and for good cause! Hailing from the Sichuan (therefore the identify) province of China, it’s recognized for its daring and spicy flavors that pack a punch. The dish usually options juicy hen items tossed in a glaze made with candy chili sauce, garlic, ginger, and Sichuan peppercorns. It’s an ideal mix of warmth, tanginess, and umami flavors that make it an absolute knockout dish.

Whereas Szechuan hen is actually a fan favourite at many Chinese language takeout joints, there’s one thing particular about making it at residence. (Discover my full record of “higher than takeout” recipes right here!) Not solely are you able to management the spice stage to your liking, however you may also experiment with completely different components and strategies to make it your individual. Belief me, this juicy, saucy hen is certain to be a success at your own home. Serve it with white rice or fried rice, and perhaps even some fast and straightforward air fryer wontons! With a dinner this tasty, your loved ones will need Szechuan hen to be an everyday within the dinner rotation.

Elements Wanted

To make this scrumptious Chinese language basic, you’ll want components like 5 spice, chili sauce, and Chinese language black vinegar- all of which could be discovered at your native Asian grocer. And let me let you know, it’s definitely worth the journey! So seize your buying record and let’s get cooking! Word: to make the flavour of this dish even higher, I used home made Szechuan sauce. Try my recipe right here to be sure to have all of the components for it!

  • Boneless Skinless Rooster Breasts: Rooster is coated in a combination of cornstarch and Chinese language 5 spice, giving it a crispy texture and a burst of tasty taste. You may as well use sliced pork or beef as an alternative.
  • Chinese language Black Vinegar and Soy Sauce: To stability out the warmth and acidity of a number of the different components, I add Chinese language black vinegar and soy sauce. These two components work collectively so as to add tanginess and a contact of saltiness to the dish.
  • Chinese language 5 Spice: A aromatic mix of spices that features cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns. You should purchase this premade or make your individual mix!
  • Cornstarch: Cornstarch not solely helps to crisp up the hen, but in addition acts as a thickener for the sauce, giving it a shiny and silky texture.
  • Vegetable Oil: Used to fry the hen and veggies to crispy perfection. You may as well use sesame oil as an alternative, to infuse the dish with somewhat extra taste.
  • Greens: For some shade, contemporary taste, and additional texture, I added diced yellow onion, sugar snap peas, chopped broccoli and purple bell peppers. Be happy to change any of those out with what you have got in your fridge!
  • Szechuan Sauce: This spicy, candy, and savory sauce provides the hen its signature daring taste.

Tips on how to Make Szechuan Rooster

This recipe for Szechuan hen is really easy! Whisk up your sauce, seize your wok, after which prepare dinner your entire components collectively! You’ll have daring, juicy hen prepared very quickly.

  1. Lower Rooster, Put together Marinade: Lower your hen breasts into chunk measurement chunks. In a medium bowl, mix your black vinegar, soy sauce, Chinese language 5 spice, and cornstarch. Whisk to mix. Add your hen to the bowl after which toss to coat evenly. Cowl and permit the hen to marinate for half-hour at room temperature.
  2. Fry Rooster: In a big skillet, wok, or frying pan, over medium excessive warmth, warmth your vegetable oil. As soon as your oil is sizzling sufficient, add in your marinated hen, slowly to keep away from sizzling oil forking out. Fry the hen for about 5 minutes, turning to brown the hen evenly. Then take away the hen from the pan.
  3. Sauté Greens: In a big wok, warmth 2 tablespoons of your oil over medium excessive warmth, add in your onion and sauté for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, snap peas, broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots. Stir fry your greens for 5-6 minutes then add in your cooked hen.
  4. Add Sauce: Cut back the warmth to medium and pour your Szechuan sauce over the hen and greens and proceed to stir fry every part collectively till your greens have tenderized.
  5. Serve: Take away from warmth and serve your hen stir fry over rice.
4-photo collage of chicken and veggies being stir-fried.

Ideas and Variations

This Szechuan hen recipe is fairly easy, however listed here are a number of additional suggestions to bear in mind. I do know you’ll love the way it seems! It might even rival your favourite Chinese language takeout spot.

  • Use Rooster Thighs: For those who’re feeling adventurous, attempt utilizing hen thighs as an alternative of hen breasts for an additional juicy and flavorful dish.
  • Swap Out Vinegar: Don’t have Chinese language black vinegar readily available? No drawback – you possibly can substitute with balsamic vinegar for the same tangy taste.
  • Keep away from Overcrowding Pan: Don’t overcrowd your skillet or wok if you fry your hen. Work in batches if wanted so every bit has sufficient room to fry and crisp up.
  • Add Nuts: A standard addition in Chinese language takeout, including issues like peanuts or cashews provides the dish additional taste and texture!
  • Garnish: For a picture-perfect of completion, high with sesame seeds and chopped inexperienced onions!
  • Low-Carb/ Keto-Pleasant Meal: Swap out white rice for cauliflower rice if you wish to hold carbs low.

Full Your Meal

Actually, Szechuan hen is a meal by itself if you serve it over some white rice. You could have your protein, carbs, and engaging contemporary veggies, too! However what would a dinner impressed by Chinese language takeout be with out some selection? For those who’re feeling bold, these are a number of extra nice recipes to make alongside this tasty hen. Excellent news is, they’re tremendous straightforward to whip up!

Top-down view of Szechuan chicken in a wok.

Storing Leftovers

You’ve obtained to maintain any leftovers you will have of your Szechuan hen! Chinese language meals is nice for storing and reheating. Pop it within the microwave, warmth up some Minute Rice, and you’ve got a fast and scrumptious meal in your arms.

  • Within the Fridge: Switch Szechuan hen to an hermetic container and retailer for as much as 4 days. If you’re able to take pleasure in it, reheat over the range or within the microwave till warmed by means of.

Picking up a piece of chicken with chopsticks.


  • Lower your hen breasts into chunk measurement chunks. In a medium bowl, mix your black vinegar, soy sauce, Chinese language 5 spice, and cornstarch whisk to mix. Add your hen to the bowl and toss to coat evenly. Cowl and permit the hen to marinate for 3o minutes at room temperature.

  • In a frying pan, over medium excessive warmth, warmth your vegetable oil. As soon as your oil is sizzling sufficient, add in your marinated hen, slowly to keep away from sizzling oil forking out. Fry the hen for about 5 minutes, turning to brown the hen evenly. Take away the hen from the pan.

  • In a big wok, warmth 2 tablespoons of your oil over medium excessive warmth, add in your onion and saute for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, snap peas, broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots. Stir fry your greens for 5-6 minutes then add in your cooked hen.

  • Cut back the warmth to medium and pour your szechuan sauce over the hen and greens and proceed to stir fry every part collectively till your greens have tenderized.

  • Take away from warmth and serve over rice.



Serves: 6

Energy239kcal (12%)Carbohydrates13g (4%)Protein36g (72%)Fats4g (6%)Saturated Fats1g (5%)Polyunsaturated Fats1gMonounsaturated Fats1gTrans Fats0.02gLdl cholesterol97mg (32%)Sodium1576mg (66%)Potassium795mg (23%)Fiber2g (8%)Sugar7g (8%)Vitamin A943IU (19%)Vitamin C52mg (63%)Calcium43mg (4%)Iron2mg (11%)

All dietary data relies on third get together calculations and is simply an estimate. Every recipe and dietary worth will differ relying on the manufacturers you utilize, measuring strategies and portion sizes per family.

Course Dinner

Delicacies Asian American, Chinese language

Key phrase Szechuan hen, szechuan hen recipe



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