Hunan-Style Chicken Stir-Fry with Chili and Garlic

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A quick and fiery stir-fry featuring tender chicken and crisp vegetables, seasoned with Hunan's signature chili and garlic. This asian ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, soy sauce, rice wine for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs with 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice wine, and 1 tsp cornstarch; set aside to marinate for 15 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering; add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 sliced fresh red chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until golden and cooked through, then push to the side of the wok.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 sliced medium onion and 1 sliced bell pepper to the wok, stir-frying for 3 minutes until crisp-tender.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1/4 cup chicken broth, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp white pepper; bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped scallions and 1 tsp sesame oil, then serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Hunan-Style Chicken Stir-Fry with Chili and Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Hunan-Style Chicken Stir-Fry with Chili and Garlic?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Hunan-Style Chicken Stir-Fry with Chili and Garlic?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Hunan-Style Chicken Stir-Fry with Chili and Garlic for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Hunan-Style Chicken Stir-Fry with Chili and Garlic?

Asian asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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