Quick Szechwan Chicken

Chili bean sauce is a salty paste made from fermented soybeans and chile peppers. It gives a deep savory flavor to Szechwan dishes. This easy recipe will rival your favorite takeout spot.

Szechwan Chicken on plates with chopsticks
Photo: Jason Donnelly
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
5 cups chicken mixture, 3 cups rice

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut in 1-inch pieces

  • 1 cup thinly sliced carrots

  • 1 cup thinly sliced celery

  • ¼ cup chicken broth

  • 3 tablespoon Asian chili bean sauce

  • 3 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon Asian chile-garlic sauce

  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

  • 2 teaspoon cornstarch

  • 1 15 ounce can (7 oz. drained weight) whole baby corn, drained and cut up

  • 1 13-14 ounce can (8 oz. drained weight) straw mushrooms or mushroom stems and pieces, drained

  • 2 8.8 ounce pouches cooked brown or white rice, heated according to package

  • ¼ cup dry honey-roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped (optional)

Directions

  1. In a 4-qt. pot heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir about 5 minutes or until browned. Add carrots and celery. Cook about 5 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.

  2. Meanwhile, for the sauce, in a small bowl whisk together the next six ingredients (through cornstarch).

  3. Add the corn, mushrooms and the sauce mixture to the pot, stirring to combine. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes more or until thickened. Serve over hot cooked rice; sprinkle with peanuts.

To Make Ahead

Prepare as directed except do not heat rice. Place chicken mixture in an airtight container. Cover and refrigerate up to three days. To serve, reheat chicken mixture in the pot, covered, over medium heat. Prepare rice and serve as directed.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

314 Calories
10g Fat
31g Carbs
18g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 314
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g 13%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 53mg 18%
Sodium 800mg 35%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 18g
Vitamin C 2.4mg 12%
Calcium 25mg 2%
Iron 2.3mg 13%
Potassium 560mg 12%
Folate, total 38.2mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.2mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.3mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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