Spicy Hunan Chicken: Quick and Fiery 30-Minute Stir-Fry

Spicy Hunan Chicken Stir-Fry

Hunan chicken is a vibrant, mouth-watering Chinese dinner dish that marries sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and bold dried chiles for a perfect balance of heat and flavor. Quick to prepare in just 30 minutes, this stir-fry recipe will become a weeknight favorite.

Ingredients for Authentic Hunan Chicken

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry or Chinese cooking wine
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Chinese fermented bean sauce (doubanjiang)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 4–6 dried chiles, torn into pieces (adjust to taste)
• 3 scallions, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

How to Make Hunan Chicken: Step-by-Step

1. Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together honey, sherry, soy sauce, bean sauce, salt, and pepper. Add chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated. Let sit for 10 minutes.
2. Prep the aromatics: While chicken marinates, mince ginger, slice garlic, tear chiles, and chop scallions. Having everything ready keeps the stir-fry fast and furious.
3. Stir-fry the chicken: Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add marinated chicken in a single layer, cooking 2–3 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
4. Sauté garlic, ginger & chiles: In the same pan, add a touch more oil if needed. Toss in garlic, ginger, and dried chiles. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Bring it all together: Return chicken to the wok. Add scallions and stir-fry 1–2 minutes. The sauce should cling to each piece, creating a glossy, spicy coating.
6. Serve hot: Transfer hunan chicken to a platter. Garnish with extra scallion slices or a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Enjoy immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Speedy prep: Ready in just 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
• Customizable heat: Adjust dried chiles for milder or extra-fiery spice.
• Restaurant quality: Balanced sweet, salty, and spicy flavors rival takeout.

Chef’s Tips for Perfect Hunan Chicken

• Pat chicken dry before marinating to ensure a crisp exterior.
• Use high-heat oil like peanut or vegetable oil for a quick sear.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan—cook in batches if needed to avoid steaming.

Enjoy your homemade hunan chicken with a side of steamed broccoli or snap peas for extra color and crunch. This sizzling stir-fry brings a taste of Hunan province right to your dinner table!

Recipe courtesy of AllRecipes. Hunan chicken never tasted so good!