Stir-Fried Szechuan Pepper Chicken with Toasted Sesame
A vibrant Chinese stir-fry featuring tender chicken pieces infused with Szechuan peppercorns and toasted sesame seeds for a fragrant, numbing heat. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs grams boneless chicken thighs, Szechuan peppercorns, toasted sesame seeds 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
- 500 grams boneless chicken thighs
- 1 tsp Szechuan peppercorns
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 inch piece, minced ginger
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2, sliced scallions
- 1 tsp dried red chili flakes
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 50 ml water
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 500 grams boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and toss with 1 tablespoon cornstarch to lightly coat.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 teaspoon Szechuan peppercorns and 1 teaspoon dried red chili flakes, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the chicken pieces to the wok and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until they start to brown.
- Step 4: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 inch minced ginger, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 5: Pour in 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, and 50 ml water. Stir well and cook for 3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and coats the chicken.
- Step 6: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds and 2 sliced scallions over the chicken, toss briefly, then remove from heat and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Szechuan Pepper Chicken with Toasted Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Szechuan Pepper Chicken with Toasted Sesame?
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 grams boneless chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Szechuan Pepper Chicken with Toasted Sesame?
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 Szechuan Pepper Chicken with Toasted Sesame 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 Szechuan Pepper Chicken with Toasted Sesame?
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.
