Spicy Stir-Fried Szechuan Chicken with Chili Garlic Sauce

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

A hot and flavorful Chinese stir-fry featuring tender chicken breast tossed in a spicy chili garlic sauce with crisp vegetables. This Chinese-inspired stir-fry recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs chicken breast, vegetable oil, garlic 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: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb thinly sliced chicken breast and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the edges start to brown and chicken is nearly cooked through.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger to the wok, stirring quickly for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp Szechuan chili paste, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp sugar. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly until sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 medium sliced green bell pepper and 1 medium sliced red bell pepper. Stir-fry for 3 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and toss in 3 sliced scallions, 1 tsp toasted sesame oil, and 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes for an extra kick. Serve hot over steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Stir-Fried Szechuan Chicken with Chili Garlic Sauce 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 Spicy Stir-Fried Szechuan Chicken with Chili Garlic Sauce?

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 chicken breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Stir-Fried Szechuan Chicken with Chili Garlic Sauce?

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 Spicy Stir-Fried Szechuan Chicken with Chili Garlic Sauce 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 Spicy Stir-Fried Szechuan Chicken with Chili Garlic Sauce?

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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