Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried Chicken with Chili Garlic Sauce

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

A quick stir-fry bursting with bold Szechuan flavors, tender chicken, and a fiery chili garlic sauce that ignites the palate. This Chinese-inspired stir-fry recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, cornstarch 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: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb boneless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces with 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornstarch until well coated; set aside for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated chicken pieces and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through; remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Lower heat to medium, add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, 8 dried red chilies, and 1 tsp lightly crushed Szechuan peppercorns. Stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 sliced scallions, 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water to the wok. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients.
  5. Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the wok and toss everything together over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until well combined and hot throughout. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried 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 Szechuan Stir-Fried 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 boneless chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Szechuan Stir-Fried 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 Szechuan Stir-Fried 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 Szechuan Stir-Fried 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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