Stir-Fried Hunan Chili Chicken with Garlic and Scallions

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

A fiery stir-fry featuring tender chicken breast tossed with bold Hunan chili paste, fresh garlic, and crunchy scallions for an authentic taste of Hunan cuisine. This chinese ready in about 25 minutes pairs thinly sliced chicken breast, Hunan chili paste, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 3, 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: 10 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 12 oz thinly sliced chicken breast with 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp ground white pepper. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry vigorously for 3-4 minutes until the edges are just cooked and slightly golden.
  3. Step 3: Push the chicken to the side of the wok and add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp Hunan chili paste to the center. Stir and fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Mix the chicken and chili mixture together, then pour in 2 tbsp water and 2 tbsp soy sauce. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken evenly.
  5. Step 5: Toss in 3 scallions cut into 1-inch pieces and stir for 30 seconds until they soften but remain crisp. Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Hunan Chili Chicken with Garlic and Scallions take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Hunan Chili Chicken with Garlic and Scallions?

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 thinly sliced chicken breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Hunan Chili Chicken with Garlic and Scallions?

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 Hunan Chili Chicken with Garlic and Scallions for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Hunan Chili Chicken with Garlic and Scallions?

Chinese chinese 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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