Szechuan Stir-Fried Chicken with Toasted Sesame and Scallions

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-17 · Updated 2026-06-17

Tender chicken pieces stir-fried in a spicy Szechuan sauce with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions for a bold, flavorful dish. This Chinese-inspired stir-fry recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs boneless chicken thighs, Szechuan peppercorns, soy sauce 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, cut into 1-inch pieces boneless chicken thighs
• 1 tsp, toasted and ground Szechuan peppercorns
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
• 6, halved and seeds removed dried red chilies
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 3 stalks, sliced on the diagonal scallions
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp black vinegar

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb boneless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces with 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tbsp cornstarch, and 1 tsp ground toasted Szechuan peppercorns. Toss well and marinate for 15 minutes.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until the edges are golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same wok, add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, and 6 halved dried red chilies. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant, careful not to burn the garlic.
4. Step 4: Return the chicken to the wok, add 1 tsp brown sugar and 1 tbsp black vinegar, and toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 3 sliced scallions over the top, and serve immediately with steamed rice.