Stir-Fried Szechuan Chicken with Chili and Garlic

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Spicy and savory chicken stir-fried with Szechuan peppercorns, garlic, and fresh chili peppers for a bold, tongue-tingling flavor. This Chinese recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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

• 1 lb boneless chicken thighs
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp Szechuan peppercorns
• 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 6 dried red chili peppers, halved and seeds removed
• 3 green onions, chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1/4 cup water

The wok we’d stir-fry this in → Best Woks for 2026: Carbon Steel, Nonstick & Flat-Bottom Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless chicken thighs into 1-inch strips and toss with 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 2 tsp cornstarch. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 tsp Szechuan peppercorns and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic.
3. Step 3: Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves, 6 halved dried red chili peppers (seeds removed), and 1 tbsp minced ginger. Stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
4. Step 4: Add the marinated chicken pieces and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes, tossing frequently, until the chicken is cooked through and edges begin to brown.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
6. Step 6: Toss in 3 chopped green onions and 1 tsp sesame oil, stir briefly, then remove from heat and serve immediately.