Stir-Fried Sichuan Red Chili Chicken with Garlic and Peanuts

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Diced chicken breast stir-fried with red chili peppers, crunchy peanuts, and aromatic garlic for a fiery, flavorful Sichuan-style dish. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs diced 1/2-inch chicken breast, minced garlic cloves, minced ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

★ 4.6 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 400 g diced chicken breast with 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, marinating for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 10 dried red chilies halves and fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, stir-frying for 20 seconds until aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Add the marinated chicken pieces and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and starting to brown.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/3 cup roasted peanuts, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt, tossing everything to combine and heat through for 1 minute.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 sliced green onions on top before serving immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Sichuan Red Chili Chicken with Garlic and Peanuts 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 Sichuan Red Chili Chicken with Garlic and 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 diced 1/2-inch chicken breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Sichuan Red Chili Chicken with Garlic and 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 Stir-Fried Sichuan Red Chili Chicken with Garlic and 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 Stir-Fried Sichuan Red Chili Chicken with Garlic and Peanuts?

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.

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