Szechuan hen options succulent and crispy hen drenched in a taste packed candy and spicy sauce. Prepared in simply quarter-hour and tastes like Takeout!
Copycat Chinese language hen takeout dishes are our jam. In case you’ve tried our Mongolian hen or Hunan hen earlier than, you’re in for a deal with with this Szechuan hen recipe.
It’s a lot cheaper than takeout and makes use of good-for-you ingedients you can pronounce- no MSG or components right here!
Desk of Contents
What’s Szechuan hen?
Szechuan hen (Sichuan hen) is a well-liked Chinese language dish identified for its daring and spicy flavors. It hails from the Sichuan province in southwestern China, which is famend for its fiery and mouth-numbing delicacies.
A key ingredient is the Szechuan peppercorns, which give many native dishes a pleasantly mouth-numbing sensation. Drier than different stir-fries, mixed with juicy and crispy hen, greens, and an umami-forward sauce, it’s no surprise it is among the hottest dishes in Chinese language eating places too.
Why this recipe works
- Fast to make. From prep to plate, this complete dish takes lower than quarter-hour to make.
- Excellent texture and taste. The hen is crispy, the sauce is sticky, and the greens are tender. It’s spicy, somewhat candy, and truthfully a taste explosion within the mouth (in the absolute best means!).
- Customizable. Simply change up the cuts of hen, the greens, and even the warmth stage.
Recreate your Asian restaruarant expertise at residence by additionally whipping up some egg drop soup and crab rangoon to start out!
Substances wanted
This hen Szechuan type is very easy, and apart from some staple Asian sauces and aromatics, there isn’t a lot else that’s wanted to make. Here’s what you’ll want:
- Hen. Skinless and boneless hen breast minimize into 1-inch cubes.
- Cornstarch. To coat the hen bits and make them crispy.
- Ginger and garlic. A should for Asian stir-fries. Each will probably be finely minced, which can distribute the flavour completely.
- Onion. I favor utilizing yellow onions as they don’t seem to be as distinct as white ones however use whichever you will have readily available.
- Bell peppers. Sliced or minimize into squares. I exploit a mixture of purple and inexperienced peppers for coloration.
- Szechuan peppercorns. The particular ingredient that offers this dish its signature taste. Yow will discover these peppers at any Asian grocery retailer and even within the Asian part of common supermarkets.
- Dried purple chilis. For the spicy factor. I sometimes use 15-20 small chilis for this recipe which does sound like loads, but it surely’s not overly spicy. I like to recommend you begin small, then work your means up.
For the Szechuan sauce:
- Soy sauce. The bottom of the Szechuan sauce. It offers saltiness and a wealthy umami taste.
- Rice vinegar. Provides the sauce its shiny and sticky texture. Please word this isn’t the identical as white vinegar!
- Water.
- Hoisin sauce. One other staple Asian sauce with a salty and barely candy taste. I like to check it to Asian-style BBQ sauce however a lot extra flavorful.
- Brown sugar. So as to add sweetness. You need to use the sweetener of your selection, together with honey and maple syrup.
- Cornstarch. To thicken the sauce.
How one can make Szechuan hen
Whereas this recipe could look extremely time consuming, it’s truly deceptively simple to make and comes collectively in a short time.
Prep the hen: Reduce the hen breast into 1-inch cubes. Put the hen items right into a zip-top bag, add cornstarch, and shake till the hen will get coated in starch.
Make the sauce: Whisk the sauce components collectively in a bowl or a measuring cup. When including the cornstarch, combine it with a small quantity of water to make a slurry, and solely then add it to the remainder of the components.
Prepare dinner the hen: Add vegetable oil to a non-stick pan and when the pan is sizzling, add the hen items. Stir-fry the hen for 7 to eight minutes or till they’re golden and crispy. Take away the hen.
Prepare dinner the greens: Prepare dinner minced ginger and garlic till aromatic and add the chopped greens. Prepare dinner onion and bell peppers till they’re tender.
Deliver the whole lot collectively: Deliver again the cooked hen and drizzle the whole lot with the sauce. Prepare dinner the whole lot collectively till the sauce thickens.
Tricks to make one of the best recipe
- Comply with the cooking order of the components. When making stir-fir fries, it’s best to first fry the hen or meat, take away it from the pan, and solely then pan-fry the greens, beginning with onions and arduous greens and ending with the fast-cooking ones.
- Reduce the components evenly: This ensures the whole lot cooks evenly, and let’s be real- it makes this dish look so a lot better, too!
- Keep away from overcrowding the pan: When frying the hen, don’t overcrowd the pan or else it gained’t be as crispy. If wanted, prepare dinner it in batches.
Variations
The great thing about selfmade Szechuan hen is simply how simple it’s to customise with no matter components you will have readily available. Listed below are some concepts:
Add extra greens: Mushrooms, broccoli, inexperienced peas, child corn, and eggplant are some easy and delicous choices.
Make it vegan: If these Asian flavors and colours are too tempting for you however you’re vegan, swap the hen breast with tofu. Each are nice sources of protein and are good at absorbing completely different flavors.
Add nuts: Including nuts to this stir-fry is a good way so as to add some crunch. Cashews and peanuts are common decisions, though almonds are additionally a scrumptious addition.
Use different cuts of hen: Skinless thigh fillets, hen tenderloins, and even cutlets will all work.
Storage directions
To retailer: Place leftovers in an hermetic container. It’s going to final 3 to 4 days within the fridge.
To freeze. Place the cooked and cooled hen stir fry in an hermetic container and place it within the freezer for as much as 6 months.
To reheat. Reheat leftovers in a non-stick pan over low to medium warmth. You can too the hen within the microwave.
Extra higher than Takeout recipes
Steadily requested questions
Szechuan hen is spicy and numbing, that includes a daring Szechuan peppercorn-laden sauce, whereas Normal Tso’s hen is sweeter, with a tangy and mildly spicy sauce, and the hen is deep fried.
Sure! Use gluten-free soy sauce (or tamari!) and gluten-free Hoisin sauce and this recipe will probably be appropriate for celiacs.
Forestall your display screen from going darkish
Add the hen in a ziplock bag with the cornstarch and blend collectively till mixed.
Make the sauce by whisking the whole lot collectively in a small bowl.
Add the oil to a non-stick pan or skillet and place it over medium warmth. As soon as sizzling, add the hen and prepare dinner for 4-5 minutes, till crispy. Take away from the warmth.
To the identical pan, add the ginger and garlic and prepare dinner till aromatic. Add the onion and bell peppers and prepare dinner till tender.
Add the hen again into the pan after which drizzle the sauce on prime. Prepare dinner the whole lot collectively till the sauce has thickened.
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 265kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 27gFats: 7gSodium: 1015mgPotassium: 732mgFiber: 3gVitamin A: 3099IUVitamin C: 110mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 19g
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