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How to make Hunan Chicken

Spicy food can be tricky to make, especially when you're trying to find the right balance between heat and flavor. No need to worry about that when you're making this Hunan chicken! Delightfully spicy yet still savory and umami, it's a winner at any meal!
  • cook TIME 10 mins
  • prep TIME 10 mins
  • total TIME 20 mins
Course: Main dishCuisine: Chinese
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 490 kcal
Author: Luna Regina

Ingredients (24)

  • 14 oz skinless boneless chicken breasts thinly sliced
  • 2 tsp cornstarch (for the sauce)
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch (for coating the chicken)
  • 2 tsp garlic minced
  • 2 tsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp ginger grated
  • 1/4 cup unsalted chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 1/2 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tbsp sriracha
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 cup canola oil (*)
  • 1 tbsp canola oil
  • 6 oz broccoli halved
  • 2 oz celery chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 4 oz red onion sliced
  • 4 oz red bell pepper julienned
  • 2 tbsp scallions chopped
  • 1 oz roasted peanuts peeled
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 3 cups cooked medium-grain white rice

INSTRUCTIONS

1

Make the Hunan sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tsp cornstarch, 2 tsp minced garlic, 2 tsp rice vinegar, 2 tsp honey, 1 tsp grated ginger, 1/4 cup unsalted chicken broth, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 1/2 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tbsp sriracha, 1 tsp paprika, and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper. Stir well.

2

Coat 14 oz chicken with 1/4 cup cornstarch.

3

In a cast-iron skillet, heat 1 cup canola oil (*) over medium heat. Deep-fry the coated chicken for 5 minutes until golden brown on both sides. Remove the chicken, drain the excess oil with a paper towel, and set aside.

4

Add another 1 tbsp canola oil to the skillet. Add 6 oz broccoli, 2 oz celery, 4 oz red onion, and 4 oz red bell pepper. Stir-fry the vegetables for 2 minutes.

5

Return the fried chicken back to the skillet. Stir.

6

Add the Hunan sauce to the skillet. Quickly toss everything together.

7

Turn off the heat. Add 2 tbsp chopped scallions and 1 oz roasted peanuts while stirring constantly.

8

Sprinkle 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes on top.

9

Remove Hunan chicken from the skillet. Serve hot with 3 cups of cooked medium-grain white rice on the side.

(*) Only part of this ingredient will end up in the final product and we have calculated nutritional values based on that amount. The whole amount is needed for the coating and cooking process, but what actually ends up being consumed is 1/2 tablespoon of canola oil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 490kcal | Fat 12.1g | Saturated Fat 1.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g | Monounsaturated Fat 6g | Cholesterol 72.4mg | Sodium 577.5mg | Potassium 733.8mg | Carbohydrate 63.9g | Fiber 3.6g | Sugar 8.1g | Protein 30.1g | Vitamin A 1845.1IU | Vitamin C 77.7mg | Calcium 56.8mg | Iron 1.6mg