Nut-Free Szechuan Chicken
Experience the bold and vibrant flavors of Nut-Free Szechuan Chicken, a perfect dish for those craving authentic Chinese-inspired cuisine without the worry of nuts. This quick and easy recipe features succulent chicken thighs coated in cornstarch for a crispy finish, stir-fried with aromatic ginger, garlic, Szechuan peppercorns, and dried red chilies for a fiery kick. A savory sauce made from soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, and chicken broth ties everything together, creating a harmonious balance of heat, sweetness, and umami. Customize with tender broccoli florets for added texture, and serve over fluffy white rice for a satisfying meal that’s ready in under 40 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners or an impressive treat for guests, this nut-free adaptation of a classic promises bold flavor with every bite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Szechuan peppercorns
- 6 dried red chilies
- 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 4 scallions, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets (optional)
- 3 cups cooked white rice (for serving)
Instructions
Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and place them in a bowl. Sprinkle with cornstarch, tossing until evenly coated. Set aside.
In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan, lower the heat to medium and add the minced ginger, garlic, Szechuan peppercorns, and dried red chilies. Stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, and chicken broth. Pour the sauce into the pan and stir to combine.
Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Toss to coat the chicken in the sauce. If using broccoli florets, add them now and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the broccoli is tender but still crisp.
Sprinkle with sliced scallions and give everything one final toss.
Serve the nut-free Szechuan chicken hot over cooked white rice. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2588 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 83.4 g | 107% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.8 g | 94% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 17.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 568 mg | 189% | |
| Sodium | 3078 mg | 134% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 304.3 g | 111% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 26.3 g | 94% | |
| Total Sugars | 21.8 g | ||
| Protein | 164.0 g | 328% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 360 mg | 28% | |
| Iron | 25.3 mg | 141% | |
| Potassium | 3342 mg | 71% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
