Sichuan-Style Spicy Chicken Stir Fry with Peanuts and Chili Oil

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

A bold Chinese stir fry featuring tender chicken tossed with crunchy peanuts, dried chilies, and numbing Sichuan peppercorns in a vibrant chili oil sauce. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs cornstarch, vegetable oil, whole dried red chilies for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced boneless chicken thighs with 2 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 8 whole dried red chilies and 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Add minced 1 tbsp ginger and 3 minced garlic cloves; stir-fry for 15 seconds.
  4. Step 4: Add the chicken to the wok, spreading out in a single layer. Stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until chicken is cooked through and begins to brown.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 3 sliced scallions, 1/3 cup roasted peanuts, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar, and 1 tsp sugar. Toss to combine and cook for another 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats chicken.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and drizzle 2 tbsp chili oil over the stir fry. Toss gently to distribute the heat and serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sichuan-Style Spicy Chicken Stir Fry with Peanuts and Chili Oil take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Sichuan-Style Spicy Chicken Stir Fry with Peanuts and Chili Oil?

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 cornstarch from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sichuan-Style Spicy Chicken Stir Fry with Peanuts and Chili Oil?

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 Sichuan-Style Spicy Chicken Stir Fry with Peanuts and Chili Oil 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 Sichuan-Style Spicy Chicken Stir Fry with Peanuts and Chili Oil?

Chinese chicken 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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