Sichuan-Style Chicken with Peanuts
Recipe from EatingWell

The piquant Sichuan Sauce (which doubles easily) works well with almost any stir-fry but particularly enhances dishes with meat, fish and poultry. When stir-frying chicken, always spread the pieces in the wok and let them cook undisturbed for 1 minute before stirring. This allows the chicken to sear and prevents sticking. To smash the ginger, use the side of a cleaver or chef's knife.


Sichuan-Style Chicken with Peanuts


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Prep Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Servings: 4 servings, 1 cup each
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Ingredients
 
savings in
 
  •     Sichuan SauceOn Sale
  • 3  tablespoons  reduced-sodium chicken brothOn Sale
  • 1  tablespoon  tomato pasteOn Sale
  • 2  teaspoons  Chinkiang rice vinegar, (see Note) or balsamic vinegarOn Sale
  • 1  teaspoon  sugarOn Sale
  • 1  teaspoon  reduced-sodium soy sauceOn Sale
  • 1/2  teaspoon  sesame oilOn Sale
  • 1/4  teaspoon  cornstarchOn Sale
  • 1/4  teaspoon  crushed red pepper, plus more to tasteOn Sale
  • 1  pound  skinless, boneless chicken breast, or thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubesOn Sale
  • 1  teaspoon  Shao Hsing rice wine, (see Note) or dry sherryOn Sale
  • 1  teaspoon  reduced-sodium soy sauceOn Sale
  • 1 1/2  teaspoons  cornstarchOn Sale
  • 1/2  teaspoon  minced garlicOn Sale
  • 1  tablespoon  canola oilOn Sale
  • 2  1/2-inch-thick slices  ginger, smashedOn Sale
  • 2  cups  sugar snap peas, (8 ounces)On Sale
  • 1/4  cup  dry-roasted peanutsOn Sale
  • 1    scallion, mincedOn Sale

Directions
1.
To prepare Sichuan sauce: Whisk broth, tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch and crushed red pepper to taste in a small bowl.
2.
To prepare chicken: Combine chicken, rice wine (or sherry), soy sauce, cornstarch and garlic in a medium bowl; mix thoroughly.
3.
Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or large skillet over high heat until a bead of water vaporizes within 1 to 2 seconds of contact. Swirl oil into the pan, add ginger and stir-fry for 10 seconds. Carefully add the chicken mixture, spreading it out. Cook until the chicken begins to brown, about 1 minute. Using a spatula, stir-fry for 30 seconds. Spread the chicken out again and cook for 30 seconds. Continue stir-frying until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides, 1 to 2 minutes. Add snap peas and stir-fry for 1 minute. Stir the Sichuan Sauce, swirl it into the pan and stir-fry until the chicken is just cooked through and the sauce is slightly thickened and glossy, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer to a platter (discard the ginger) and sprinkle with peanuts and scallions. Serve immediately.

Tips:
Notes: Chinkiang is a dark, slightly sweet vinegar with a smoky flavor. It is available in many Asian specialty markets. If unavailable, balsamic vinegar is an acceptable substitute.
Shao Hsing (or Shaoxing) is a seasoned rice wine. It is available in most Asian specialty markets and some larger supermarkets in the Asian section. An acceptable substitute is dry sherry, sold with other fortified wines in your wine or liquor store. (We prefer it to the "cooking sherry" sold in many supermarkets, which can be surprisingly high in sodium.)
MAKE AHEAD TIP: Prepare Sichuan Sauce (Step 1); cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Nutrition information
Calories 273, Total Fat 12 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Monounsaturated Fat 6 g, Cholesterol 66 mg, Sodium 177 mg, Carbohydrate 11 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 28 g, Potassium 427 mg. Daily Values: Vitamin C 30%, Iron 15%. Exchanges: Other Carbohydrate 0.5,Vegetable 1,Lean Meat 3,Fat 1. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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