Stir-Fried Chicken with Dried Red Chilies and Garlic
A vibrant Hunan-inspired dish where tender chicken meets smoky chilies and aromatic garlic in a quick, flavorful stir-fry. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs chicken breast, dried red chilies, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 2, 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz chicken breast
- 2 tbsp dried red chilies
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 medium onion
- 1 bell pepper
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice wine
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 12 oz sliced chicken breast with 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp rice wine, and 1/2 tsp salt; marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp cooking oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 2 tbsp dried red chilies and stir for 10 seconds until fragrant, then add 4 minced garlic cloves and stir for 15 seconds until golden.
- Step 3: Add 1 medium sliced onion and 1 thinly sliced bell pepper; stir-fry for 2 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Step 4: Push vegetables to the sides, add the marinated chicken, and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until no longer pink.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp sesame oil; cook for 1 minute until sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Chicken with Dried Red Chilies and Garlic 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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Dried Red Chilies and Garlic?
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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Dried Red Chilies and Garlic?
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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Dried Red Chilies and Garlic for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Dried Red Chilies and Garlic?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better chicken dishes though.
