Main Dish
Szechuan Chicken
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon rice wine
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
For the Stir Fry:
- vegetable oil, as needed for frying
- 1 tablespoon Szechuan peppercorn
- 5 red chilis, cut into thin rounds
- 25 dried red chilis, whole
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into bite-size cubes
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into bite-size cubes
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 stalk green onions, chopped
- 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts or cashews, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 2 tablespoons of rice wine
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Directions
- Combine marinade ingredients in a bowl and add the cubed chicken. Marinate for 30 minutes or more.
- Add about 2 inches of oil to a non-stick or cast iron skillet and place over medium heat.
- Once hot, fry the chicken until browned and crispy. Fry the chicken in one layer, if needed fry in batches.
- Remove and set aside on a plate. Discard oil from the pan, leaving only about 2 tablespoons.
- Add the Szechuan peppercorns and dried red chilies. Fry for about 1 minute, just until fragrant.
- Add the rest of the fresh red chilies, ginger, garlic, and bell peppers. Stir and fry for about 5 minutes.
- Add chopped green onions and nuts. Fry for a minute.
- Add back the fried chicken pieces, stir and add the sugar, rice wine, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Toss to coat.
- Garnish with chopped scallions, sesame seeds, and more red chilis. Serve as is or over rice.