Stir-Fried Spicy Hunan Chicken with Dried Red Chilies
A fiery and fragrant stir-fry featuring tender chicken pieces tossed with dried red chilies and bold Hunan spices for an authentic taste experience. This Chinese-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs chicken breast, dried red chilies, garlic cloves 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.
Ingredients
- 400 grams, thinly sliced chicken breast
- 15 whole dried red chilies
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp finely chopped ginger
- 3 sliced into 1-inch pieces scallions
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 4 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp salt
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 400 grams thinly sliced chicken breast with 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine; let marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 4 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering; add 15 dried red chilies and fry for 30 seconds until fragrant, careful not to burn.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp finely chopped ginger to the wok; stir-fry for 20 seconds until aromatic.
- Step 4: Increase heat to high and add marinated chicken; stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and edges start to brown.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chicken broth, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt; cook for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
- Step 6: Toss in 3 sliced scallions and stir-fry for 30 seconds to combine flavors, then remove from heat and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Spicy Hunan Chicken with Dried Red Chilies 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 Spicy Hunan Chicken with Dried Red Chilies?
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 Spicy Hunan Chicken with Dried Red Chilies?
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 Spicy Hunan Chicken with Dried Red Chilies 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 Spicy Hunan Chicken with Dried Red Chilies?
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.
