Hunan Chicken Recipe

Hunan Chicken, a mouthwatering and fiery Chinese dish hailing from the Hunan province, is renowned for its bold flavours and spicy kick. Packed with aromatic spices and tantalising ingredients, this delectable dish has earned a special place in the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide.

In this article, we delve into the origins, flavour profile, and various delicious variations of this iconic dish, uncovering the secrets that make Hunan Chicken a favourite choice for those seeking an unforgettable culinary experience.

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What is Hunan Chicken?

Hunan chicken is a popular Chinese dish known for its spicy and flavorful characteristics. It typically consists of sliced chicken stir-fried with a variety of vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, and scallions, in a savoury sauce.

The sauce is often made with a combination of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and chilli peppers, giving it a bold and spicy taste. The dish is named after the Hunan province in China, where it originates from.

Hunan Chicken Recipe

Chinese Hunan chicken ingredients:

For the stir-fry:

• Chicken breast: Feel free to use any parts of the bird. Thigh meat is actually much more tender, so feel free to substitute.
• Vegetables: A mix of bell peppers, carrots, and zucchini. Also, add broccoli and sugar snap peas if you like.
• Cornstarch: For velveting the meat.
• Salt and Pepper: To season the poultry.
• Oil: For cooking the veggies and the meat. Always choose vegetable oil or canola oil, which will not overpower the dish. Another option is peanut oil.

Ingredients  

For the Chicken

• 1 lb chicken thigh skinless, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon almond flour or cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon oil

For the Stir-Fry

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger minced
• 3 cups broccoli chopped
• 1 large bell pepper chopped
• 1 medium zucchini chopped

For the Hunan Sauce

• ½  cup chicken broth
• 3 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 2 tablespoon brown sugar substitute
• 2 tablespoon chilli paste I used sambal oelek
• 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum or cornstarch

Instructions 

• Make the Hunan sauce by whisking together all the ingredients and setting aside.
• Add the chopped chicken and almond flour in a bowl and lightly mix. 
• Add the oil to a non-stick pan or wok and place over medium heat. Stir fry the chicken until mostly cooked. Remove the chicken from the pan.
• Add the sesame oil and when hot, add the minced garlic and ginger and stir fry for several minutes. Add the remaining vegetables and cook until mostly tender. Add the chicken back to the pan before adding the Hunan sauce. Let it bubble and thicken for several minutes, before removing it from the heat.
• Serve over cauliflower rice or one of your favourite low-carb sides of your choice.

Tips for making Hunan Chicken 

• Freeze your chicken breast for 20-30 minutes to firm it up. This will make it much easier to cut thin slices.
• You’ll want to cook the chicken in batches. If you overcrowd the pan, the chicken will steam instead of sear.
• You can make this dish as spicy as you like. The recipe is written with 2 teaspoons of chilli paste, which is a medium heat level. Add another teaspoon of chilli paste to the sauce if you prefer a spicier stir fry.

Recipe Variations 

1. Veggies: In this stir fry you can use any veggies that you have on your hands. We recommend carrots, baby corn, red peppers, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, yellow squash, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, snap peas, and Chinese corn.
2. Spiciness: Want to have an even more spicy flavour? Then, add Sichuan peppercorn, more or less chilli paste.
3. Sweetness: Increase the sweetness to go hand in hand with the spiciness by adding more sugar. Also, remember that you can use white sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or agave.
4. Low-Carb: For a low-carb version, use a sugar substitute and choose veggies that are lower in carbohydrates. Also, serve the dish with Low-Carb Mashed Cauliflower.
5. Gluten-Free: Keep in mind that soy sauce contains gluten, so make sure to use amino acids instead.
6. Protein: Replace the poultry with either pork, beef, or shrimp.
7. Vegetarian: Make this meal vegetarian by using firm tofu instead of meat.
8. Sesame Oil: Add a tablespoon of sesame oil into the sauce for extra flavour.
9. Spicy: Try this spicy Szechuan sauce for a different take.

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Hunan Chicken vs Szechuan Chicken 

The main difference between Szechuan Chicken and Hunan Chicken is the spiciness level and additional ingredients. Hunan Chicken tends to be a bit spicier and tangier and is usually mixed with vegetables, whereas Szechuan Chicken has a robust and less spicy flavour and is usually only combined with pepper.

Here are the main differences between the two dishes

1. Origin

Hunan chicken hails from the Hunan province in China, whereas Szechuan chicken has its origins in the Sichuan province.

2. Spice Level

Generally, Szechuan chicken packs a higher spiciness level than Hunan chicken. The renowned Szechuan cuisine incorporates abundant Szechuan peppercorns, which add heat from chilli peppers and a numbing sensation.

3. Ingredients

Both dishes typically feature sliced chicken and vegetables, yet the specific vegetables and seasonings may differ. Szechuan chicken often embraces more garlic, ginger, and Szechuan peppercorns, while Hunan chicken may utilize more scallions and dried chilli peppers.

4. Sauce

The sauces used in these dishes also diverge. Hunan chicken sauce usually comprises a blend of soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic, while Szechuan chicken sauce concentrates on the bold flavours of chilli peppers and Szechuan peppercorns.

5. Preparation

The chicken in Szechuan dishes is usually cut into cubes, then thrown into a flour-based batter and pan-fried. While the chicken is still cooking, the red chilli peppers, peppercorns, red chilis, and other ingredients are added to the mix and sauteed.

6. Caloric Content

Overall, you will find that Szechuan Chicken typically has more calories due to its cooking method. The chicken is first deep-fried and then stir-fried. It’s also covered in batter (egg or flour), adding to its caloric content.

Even more, oil is used to prepare it, which can give it about 36 more calories per 100 grams of serving. On the other hand, Hunan chicken is a bit healthier, as it only has about 100 calories per 100-gram serving.

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What to serve with Hunan Chicken

Hunan Style Chicken is explosively flavorful, so it pairs well with neutral sides such as:

1. Rice: Jasmine rice or brown rice, but any rice will work.  Just pop the rice in your rice cooker for a hand’s off, easy side. You can also use microwave rice pouches if you’re making a serving for one or meal prep.  
2. Low carb: Cauliflower rice, quinoa, broccoli rice or a blend of brown rice and any of the aforementioned options. You can also use low-carb noodles such as zoodles or spaghetti squash.
3. Noodles: Ramen, soba noodles, rice noodles or even linguine are fun to mix things up! 
4. Appetizers:  For a complete Asian feast, pair Hunan Chicken with Potstickers,  Pineapple Cream Cheese Wontons,  Sesame Chicken Egg Rolls or Sweet and Sour Chicken Egg Rolls (my husband is obsessed with all of them!).
5. Salad: some of our favourite Asian-inspired salads include Crunchy Asian Salad, Chinese Salad, and Asian Pineapple Salad.
6. Soups: Asian soups make a fantastic starter, such as Wonton Soup, Egg Drop Soup or Miso Soup.

Variations of Hunan chicken:

1. Hunan Chicken with Vegetables

This version includes a colourful array of vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and snow peas, sautéed with sliced chicken in the signature spicy and savoury Hunan sauce.

2. Hunan Chicken with Cashews

In this variation, tender chicken is stir-fried with crunchy cashews, creating a delightful combination of textures and flavours.

3. Orange Hunan Chicken

A fusion twist on the classic dish, this version incorporates a tangy orange glaze, adding a zesty and sweet element to the spiciness of the Hunan sauce.

4. Crispy Hunan Chicken

This variation features battered and deep-fried chicken tossed in the mouthwatering Hunan sauce, resulting in a crispy and flavorful dish.

5. Hunan Chicken Noodles

Tender pieces of chicken are combined with stir-fried vegetables and tossed with noodles, creating a comforting and satisfying one-pot meal.

6. Hunan Chicken Lettuce Wraps

A lighter and healthier option, this variation involves serving the spicy Hunan chicken in fresh lettuce leaves, offering a delightful contrast of textures and tastes.

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Conclusion

Hunan chicken is a delicious and spicy Chinese dish that originates from the Hunan province. It boasts a rich and intense flavour profile, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy bold and fiery tastes.

With its various variations, such as Hunan chicken with vegetables and cashews or served with an orange glaze, there are plenty of options to explore. Whether you prefer a traditional preparation or a fusion twist, Hunan chicken is sure to satisfy your craving for a flavorful and spicy meal.

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