Hailing from the Hunan province of China, Hunan Chicken is a dish known for its bold, spicy flavors and fresh vegetables. Unlike some milder Chinese dishes, Hunan cuisine is famous for its hot, tangy, and robust flavors, and this recipe captures that essence perfectly. Featuring tender chicken pieces in a spicy, savory sauce, along with colorful bell peppers and onions, this stir-fry is ideal for anyone who enjoys a little heat in their meal. Serve it over steamed rice for a delicious, restaurant-quality dish you can enjoy at home.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 500 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili paste (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2-3 green onions, chopped
- 1-2 dried red chilies (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions:
- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, mix the sliced chicken with soy sauce and cornstarch until well coated. Let marinate for about 10 minutes.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, chili paste, sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and minced ginger.
- Cook the Chicken:
- In a spacious skillet or wok, warm 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Introduce the marinated chicken and sauté, stirring frequently, until the pieces are golden brown and fully cooked, which should take around 3 to 4 minutes.
- Once done, take the chicken out of the pan and keep it aside.
- Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
- In the same skillet, if necessary, incorporate an additional tablespoon of vegetable oil.
- Toss in the sliced red and green bell peppers, along with the onion and dried red chilies (if desired).
- Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly while retaining a crisp texture.
- Combine and Cook:
- Add the previously cooked chicken back into the skillet with the vegetables.
- Drizzle the prepared sauce over the entire mixture and mix thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Continue cooking for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend beautifully.
- Serve:
- Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot over steamed rice.
Conclusion:
This Hunan Chicken is a vibrant and spicy dish that brings the authentic flavors of Hunan cuisine right to your table. With the perfect balance of heat and tanginess, it’s a great choice for a quick, satisfying meal that packs a punch. Adjust the chili paste to your preferred spice level, and enjoy a taste of China from your kitchen!
Authentic Spicy Hunan Chicken Stir-Fry
A spicy and vibrant Hunan Chicken stir-fry withtender chicken, bold flavors, and colorful vegetables, ideal for fans ofauthentic Hunan cuisine.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 500 g boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for frying
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili paste adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 green bell pepper sliced
- 1 onion sliced
- 2-3 green onions chopped
- 1-2 dried red chilies optional, for extra heat
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, mix the sliced chicken with soy sauce and cornstarch until well coated. Let marinate for about 10 minutes.
Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, chili paste, sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and minced ginger.
Cook the Chicken:
- In a spacious skillet or wok, warm 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Introduce the marinated chicken and sauté, stirring frequently, until the pieces are golden brown and fully cooked, which should take around 3 to 4 minutes.
- Once done, take the chicken out of the pan and keep it aside.
Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
- In the same skillet, if necessary, incorporate an additional tablespoon of vegetable oil.
- Toss in the sliced red and green bell peppers, along with the onion and dried red chilies (if desired).
- Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly while retaining a crisp texture.
Combine and Cook:
- Add the previously cooked chicken back into the skillet with the vegetables.
- Drizzle the prepared sauce over the entire mixture and mix thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Continue cooking for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend beautifully.
Serve:
- Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot over steamed rice.