Spicy Szechuan Chicken with Crispy Peanuts

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fiery Chinese stir-fry featuring tender chicken coated in a bold Szechuan sauce, topped with crunchy peanuts for a perfect balance of heat and texture. This chinese-inspired asian ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, soy sauce, rice vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

★ 3.8 (15 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 550 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch cubes), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp cornstarch. Toss to coat evenly and let marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1/2 cup peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and 1 tbsp minced ginger, and stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add the marinated chicken to the skillet, increase heat to high, and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp chili garlic paste, and 2 tbsp crushed Szechuan peppercorns. Pour this sauce into the skillet, then add 3 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken, about 2 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup coarsely chopped roasted peanuts and cook for 1 minute more. Garnish with 2 thinly sliced green onions and serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Szechuan Chicken with Crispy Peanuts 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 Spicy Szechuan Chicken with Crispy Peanuts?

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 Spicy Szechuan Chicken with Crispy Peanuts?

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 Szechuan Chicken with Crispy Peanuts 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 Szechuan Chicken with Crispy Peanuts?

Chinese 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes