Sichuan Chicken Recipe (La Zi Ji) – Spicy Chinese Chicken with Chili Peppers
Some dishes don’t hold back. Sichuan chicken, known as (La Zi Ji), delivers bold heat and deep flavor from the first bite.
Cooks cut the chicken into small pieces and fry it until golden. The outside crisps up while the inside stays tender. Then they toss it in a hot pan with dried chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns.
As the ingredients hit the heat, the flavors build fast. The chilies bring sharp heat, while the peppercorns create that signature numbing effect. Because of this, each bite feels intense but controlled.
Garlic and ginger add depth and aroma. The oil absorbs the spice and coats the chicken evenly. This step ties everything together and keeps the flavor consistent in every bite.
This dish brings serious heat. It suits anyone who enjoys bold, spicy food. Still, the texture and balance keep it enjoyable.
Serve it hot, usually with rice to soften the intensity. It works well for sharing and adds energy to any meal.
Sichuan chicken shows how strong flavors can stay balanced. It’s bold, direct, and deeply satisfying.
Marinate the Chicken:
In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with soy sauce, rice wine, egg white, and cornstarch. Mix well and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Fry the Chicken:
Heat oil in a wok or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the marinated chicken pieces until they are golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and drain on paper towels.
Stir-Fry the Dish:
Remove excess oil from the wok, leaving about 2 tablespoons. Add Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilies. Stir-fry for a minute until fragrant (be cautious not to burn the chilies).
Add minced garlic and ginger, and stir-fry for another minute.
Return the chicken to the wok. Add soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, and salt. Mix well and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Garnish and Serve:
Stir in the green onions just before removing from heat.
Serve hot, garnished with additional green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Ingredients
If you loved this dish, there’s more waiting for you. Visit our
Chinese Stir-Fry Recipes guide
to discover more bold sauces, comforting noodle dishes, and quick Chinese favorites worth making again.