Hunan Style Chicken: A Fiery and Flavorful Recipe

Hunan cuisine, also known as Xiang cuisine, is renowned for its bold and spicy flavors, often incorporating chili peppers, garlic, and shallots to create dishes that are both aromatic and intensely satisfying. Unlike its neighbor, Sichuan cuisine, Hunan food emphasizes fresh chilies and a sour-spicy profile rather than the numbing sensation of Sichuan peppercorns. This recipe for Hunan Style Chicken captures the essence of this vibrant cuisine, offering a delicious and relatively easy way to experience its unique flavors at home.

This Hunan Chicken recipe balances heat, umami, and a hint of sweetness, making it a crowd-pleaser that can be adjusted to your preferred spice level. We’ll guide you through each step, from preparing the chicken to creating the flavorful sauce, ensuring a restaurant-quality dish you can proudly serve. So, grab your wok (or a large skillet) and let’s embark on this culinary adventure!

What Makes Hunan Chicken Special?

Before diving into the recipe, let’s understand what distinguishes Hunan Chicken from other stir-fries. Several key elements contribute to its unique character:

• Fresh Chilies: Hunan cuisine relies heavily on fresh chilies for heat, often using a combination of different types to create a complex flavor profile. Red chilies are common, but green chilies can also be used for a slightly different flavor dimension.
• Garlic and Ginger: These aromatic ingredients are essential building blocks of flavor in Hunan cooking, providing a pungent base that complements the chilies perfectly.
• Vinegar: A touch of vinegar, often rice vinegar, adds a crucial sour element that balances the heat and richness of the other ingredients.
• Soy Sauce and Oyster Sauce: These sauces contribute umami depth, adding a savory complexity that elevates the dish beyond simple spiciness.
• The absence of Sichuan Peppercorns: Unlike Sichuan cuisine, Hunan dishes typically don’t feature the numbing sensation of Sichuan peppercorns. This allows the pure heat of the chilies to shine through.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a comprehensive list of the ingredients you’ll need to create this delicious Hunan Chicken:

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 1 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: Cut into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch cubes). Chicken thighs are preferred for their tenderness and flavor, but chicken breast can be used if you prefer (though it may be slightly drier).
• 1 tbsp Soy Sauce: Adds umami and helps tenderize the chicken. Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the salt level.
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing Wine (or Dry Sherry): Adds depth of flavor and helps tenderize the chicken. If you don’t have Shaoxing wine, dry sherry is a good substitute.
• 1 tbsp Cornstarch: Coats the chicken, creating a slight barrier that helps it stay tender and absorb the sauce.
• 1 tsp Ginger, grated: Adds a warm, pungent flavor.
• 1/2 tsp White Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and earthy flavor.

For the Hunan Sauce:

• 2 tbsp Soy Sauce: (Low-sodium preferred)
• 1 tbsp Oyster Sauce: Adds a rich, savory flavor. If you’re vegetarian, you can substitute with vegetarian oyster sauce or hoisin sauce.
• 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar: Provides a crucial sour element.
• 1 tbsp Sugar: Balances the heat and acidity.
• 1 tsp Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty aroma and flavor.
• 1/2 cup Chicken Broth (or Water): Thins out the sauce and helps it cling to the chicken.
• 1 tbsp Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce.

For the Stir-Fry:

• 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil: For stir-frying. Peanut oil is a good choice for high-heat cooking.
• 4-6 Dried Red Chilies: Adjust the quantity to your preferred spice level. Cut into 1/2 inch pieces and remove seeds for less heat.
• 4 cloves Garlic, minced: Adds a pungent aroma and flavor.
• 1 inch Ginger, minced: Adds a warm, pungent flavor.
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, sliced: Adds sweetness and color.
• 1 Green Bell Pepper, sliced: Adds sweetness and color.
• 1 Onion, sliced: Adds sweetness and texture.
• 2 Green Onions, chopped: For garnish.
• Sesame Seeds, for garnish: Adds a nutty flavor and visual appeal.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Wok or Large Skillet: A wok is ideal for stir-frying due to its curved shape, which allows for even heat distribution. However, a large skillet will work just fine.
• Cutting Board: For chopping vegetables and chicken.
• Knife: For chopping and slicing.
• Mixing Bowls: For marinating the chicken and preparing the sauce.
• Measuring Spoons and Cups: For accurate measurements.
• Spatula or Stir-Fry Utensil: For stirring the ingredients.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that we’ve gathered our ingredients and equipment, let’s get cooking!

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry), cornstarch, grated ginger, and white pepper.
2. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated.
3. Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, or up to 1 hour. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful and tender it will become.

Step 2: Prepare the Hunan Sauce

1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, chicken broth (or water), and cornstarch until the cornstarch is completely dissolved. This is crucial to prevent lumps in your sauce.
2. Set aside the sauce for later use.

Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables

1. Wash and dry all the vegetables.
2. Slice the red and green bell peppers into thin strips.
3. Slice the onion into thin wedges.
4. Mince the garlic and ginger.
5. Cut the dried red chilies into 1/2 inch pieces, removing the seeds if you prefer less heat. Be careful when handling chilies, as they can irritate your skin. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling them.
6. Chop the green onions for garnish.

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Chicken

1. Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat.
2. Add the vegetable oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the wok or skillet.
3. Once the oil is hot (it should shimmer), add the marinated chicken in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this will lower the temperature and steam the chicken instead of searing it. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches.
4. Stir-fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes, or until it is lightly browned on all sides. Don’t worry about cooking it all the way through at this point, as it will continue to cook in the sauce.
5. Remove the chicken from the wok or skillet and set aside.

Step 5: Stir-Fry the Aromatics and Vegetables

1. Add the dried red chilies, minced garlic, and minced ginger to the wok or skillet.
2. Stir-fry for 15-20 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter.
3. Add the sliced red and green bell peppers and onion to the wok or skillet.
4. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly softened but still crisp.

Step 6: Combine and Simmer

1. Return the cooked chicken to the wok or skillet.
2. Pour the Hunan sauce over the chicken and vegetables.
3. Stir well to combine everything.
4. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through.
5. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. You may want to add a pinch of salt or sugar to balance the flavors to your liking.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

1. Remove the Hunan Chicken from the heat and transfer it to a serving platter.
2. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
3. Serve immediately with steamed rice.

Tips for Success

• Use high heat: Stir-frying requires high heat to quickly cook the ingredients and create a slightly charred flavor. Make sure your wok or skillet is hot before adding the oil.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan: Overcrowding the pan will lower the temperature and steam the ingredients instead of searing them. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Prepare all ingredients in advance: Stir-frying is a fast-paced cooking method, so it’s important to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking. This includes chopping the vegetables, marinating the chicken, and preparing the sauce.
• Adjust the spice level to your liking: Hunan cuisine is known for its spiciness, but you can adjust the amount of chilies to suit your taste. Remove the seeds from the chilies for less heat.
• Use good quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will impact the flavor of the final dish. Use fresh vegetables, high-quality soy sauce, and tender chicken thighs for the best results.
• Taste and adjust seasonings: Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add a pinch of salt, sugar, or vinegar to balance the flavors to your liking.

Variations and Substitutions

This Hunan Chicken recipe is versatile and can be adapted to your preferences and dietary needs. Here are a few variations and substitutions you can try:

• Vegetarian Hunan Chicken: Substitute the chicken with tofu, tempeh, or mushrooms. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and vegetarian oyster sauce or hoisin sauce instead of regular oyster sauce.
• Hunan Beef or Shrimp: Replace the chicken with thinly sliced beef or shrimp. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Add More Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables to the stir-fry, such as broccoli, carrots, snap peas, or water chestnuts.
• Spicier Hunan Chicken: Add more dried red chilies or a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce for extra heat. You can also use fresh chilies like bird’s eye chilies or Thai chilies.
• Sweetener Options: Instead of sugar, you can use honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar to sweeten the sauce.
• Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.

Serving Suggestions

Hunan Chicken is best served hot and fresh with steamed rice. Here are a few other serving suggestions:

• Serve with Noodles: Instead of rice, serve the Hunan Chicken with stir-fried noodles, such as lo mein or chow mein.
• Serve as an Appetizer: Cut the chicken into smaller pieces and serve as an appetizer with toothpicks.
• Make Hunan Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Serve the Hunan Chicken in lettuce cups for a lighter and healthier meal.
• Add a Side of Soup: Pair the Hunan Chicken with a light and refreshing soup, such as egg drop soup or hot and sour soup.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Storage:

• Allow the Hunan Chicken to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• It can be stored for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating:

• Reheat the Hunan Chicken in a wok or skillet over medium heat until heated through. You may need to add a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out.
• You can also reheat it in the microwave, but be careful not to overcook it.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

Please note that the nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used.

• Calories: 400-500 per serving
• Protein: 30-40g
• Fat: 20-30g
• Carbohydrates: 20-30g

Conclusion

Hunan Style Chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish that is sure to impress your family and friends. With its bold and spicy flavors, tender chicken, and colorful vegetables, it’s a complete and satisfying meal. This recipe is easy to follow and can be customized to your liking, making it a perfect addition to your home cooking repertoire. So, what are you waiting for? Give this Hunan Chicken recipe a try and experience the vibrant flavors of Hunan cuisine!

Enjoy!