Szechuan Stir-Fried Chicken with Toasted Sesame and Chili

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

A bold and spicy stir-fry featuring tender chicken pieces tossed in a fiery Szechuan sauce with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions. This Chinese recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs boneless chicken thighs, vegetable oil, Szechuan peppercorns 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

• 1 lb boneless chicken thighs
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp Szechuan peppercorns
• 6 pieces dried red chilies
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp, minced ginger
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 2, sliced thinly scallions
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp 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 bite-sized pieces and toss with 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 tsp Szechuan peppercorns and 6 dried red chilies, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, stir-frying for 1 minute until aromatic but not browned.
4. Step 4: Increase heat to high, add the chicken pieces and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until golden and cooked through.
5. Step 5: Stir together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 2 tbsp water then pour into the wok. Toss to coat the chicken and cook for another 2 minutes until sauce thickens and clings to the meat.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 thinly sliced scallions over the top before serving.