Hunan-Style Fish Fillet in Chili Oil with Pickled Vegetables
A flavorful dish of tender white fish fillets simmered in spicy chili oil and tangy pickled vegetable broth, characteristic of Hunan cuisine. This Chinese-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs salt, white pepper, cornstarch for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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, cut into 2-inch pieces white fish fillets (such as tilapia or cod)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup, rinsed and chopped pickled mustard greens (suan cai)
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, minced ginger
- 8, broken into halves dried red chili peppers
- 2 tbsp chili bean paste (doubanjiang)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 3 stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces green onions
- 1 tsp sesame oil
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 1 lb white fish fillets with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp white pepper, then lightly coat with 2 tbsp cornstarch.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fish fillets and pan-fry for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden and just cooked through; remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, 8 halves dried red chili peppers, and 2 tbsp chili bean paste. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until aromatic and the oil turns red.
- Step 4: Add 1/2 cup chopped pickled mustard greens and 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Return the fish fillets to the skillet, submerge gently, and simmer for 3 minutes to infuse flavor.
- Step 6: Stir in 3 green onion stalks and drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the top, then remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hunan-Style Fish Fillet in Chili Oil with Pickled Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 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 Fish Fillet in Chili Oil with Pickled Vegetables?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hunan-Style Fish Fillet in Chili Oil with Pickled Vegetables?
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 Fish Fillet in Chili Oil with Pickled Vegetables 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 Fish Fillet in Chili Oil with Pickled Vegetables?
Chinese seafood 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.
