Sichuan-Style Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken with Garlic and Chili

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A bold, fiery chicken dish featuring tender pieces stir-fried in a fragrant garlic and chili sauce, inspired by classic Sichuan flavors. This chinese-inspired stir fry ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, then marinate with 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 1 tbsp cornstarch for 15 minutes to tenderize and add flavor.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering, then add 5 minced garlic cloves, 10 broken dried red chilies, and 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Add the marinated chicken pieces to the wok and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is golden and cooked through, stirring continuously.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 tbsp minced ginger and 3 sliced green onion stalks, stir-frying for an additional 1 minute until aromatic.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Stir and cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken evenly. Serve hot.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sichuan-Style Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken with Garlic and Chili 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 Sichuan-Style Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken with Garlic and Chili?

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 boneless chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sichuan-Style Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken with Garlic and Chili?

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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Garlic and Chili 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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Garlic and Chili?

Chinese stir fry 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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