Description
Hunan Chicken brings fiery Hunan province flavors straight to your dinner table with bold, spicy seasonings that dance across your palate. Tender chicken pieces sizzle with chili peppers and garlic, delivering a zesty meal that sparks real conversation at mealtime.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 cup bell peppers (mixed red and green)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 inch fresh ginger
Sauces and Seasonings:
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili paste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Blend 1 lb chicken pieces with 2 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and half the chili paste in a mixing bowl. Allow your marinade to infuse the meat for precisely 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Warm 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F. Carefully transfer marinated chicken into hot oil, searing until each piece reaches a golden-brown exterior (approximately 4-5 minutes).
- Remove browned chicken from skillet, keeping it nearby. Immediately add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 inch grated ginger, stirring rapidly for 45-60 seconds until aromatic.
- Introduce 1 cup thinly sliced bell peppers to the skillet. Toss vegetables continuously for 2-3 minutes, maintaining a crisp-tender texture.
- Return chicken to the pan, creating an even distribution across the surface. Whisk remaining chili paste with 2 tbsp brown sugar and 2 tbsp water to create a glossy sauce.
- Pour sauce mixture over chicken and peppers, gently stirring to ensure complete coating. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes at 350°F to meld flavors together.
- Transfer your Hunan chicken to serving plates, ensuring each portion receives an equal distribution of sauce and vegetables.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken in advance for deeper flavor absorption, letting it sit for at least 30 minutes if time permits.
- Choose fresh, crisp bell peppers to maintain a satisfying crunch and vibrant color in your stir-fry.
- Adjust the chili paste quantity to control the heat level, making the dish milder or spicier according to your preference.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular soy sauce with tamari and ensure your cornstarch is certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 263 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg