Air Fryer Szechuan Lamb with Crispy Rice and Chili Oil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-13 · Updated 2026-06-13

A bold and spicy Szechuan-inspired lamb dish featuring tender air-fried lamb strips served with crispy rice and a homemade chili oil drizzle. This Chinese-inspired lamb recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs Szechuan peppercorns, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lamb leg, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch strips
• 1 tbsp, toasted and ground Szechuan peppercorns
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp, minced ginger
• 3, sliced thinly green onions
• 2 cups cooked white rice, chilled
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• to taste salt

The air fryer we’d crisp this in → Best Air Fryers for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 lb lamb strips with 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp ground toasted Szechuan peppercorns, and 1/2 tsp salt; marinate for 20 minutes.
2. Step 2: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Spread the marinated lamb in a single layer and air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway, until browned and crisp on edges.
3. Step 3: While lamb cooks, heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 cups chilled cooked white rice, pressing gently, and cook without stirring for 4-5 minutes until the bottom forms a golden crust.
4. Step 4: Flip the rice carefully in sections and cook for another 3 minutes to crisp the other side; remove from heat and keep warm.
5. Step 5: In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp chili flakes, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1/2 tsp sugar, and a pinch of salt to make chili oil.
6. Step 6: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a small pan over medium heat, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and golden.
7. Step 7: Toss the air-fried lamb with the garlic-ginger mixture and sliced green onions.
8. Step 8: To serve, plate the crispy rice, top with the spicy lamb, and drizzle with the homemade chili oil for a fiery finish.