Craving that signature Szechuan kick but don’t want to wait for delivery? Our Takeout Style Szechuan Chicken is the perfect way to bring those bold, spicy flavors straight to your kitchen. With tender chicken, crisp veggies, and a sauce that hits all the right notes, this dish is sure to satisfy your taste buds.

Grab some more takeout favorites with General Tso Chicken, Sesame Chicken, and Beef Lo Mein.

Why Our Recipe

  • Skip the delivery and whip up this Szechuan chicken with all the bold flavors you love from your favorite takeout spot.
  • This recipe is all about getting dinner on the table fast—about 35 minutes from start to finish!
  • Whether you like it mild or fiery, you can easily adjust the heat level to suit your taste.
Szechuan chicken and rice in a black bowl.

The sauce is so stinkin’ good, with just the right amount of heat, and you can always add to the veggies if you want a more even ratio of chicken to veggies. It just doesn’t get any better than an easy, dinner like this. Say goodbye to takeout and hello to your new favorite weeknight dinner!

Ingredient Notes

  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts: You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer a juicier cut. The cook time may be slightly longer.
  • Asian Chili Garlic Sauce: A most delicious condiment that you can find in the Asian section of your grocery store.
  • Cornstarch: This helps to give the chicken that crispy coating you love in takeout.
  • Vegetable and Sesame Oil: The combination of these oils gives the dish a nice balance of flavor and a high smoke point, perfect for stir-frying.
  • Bell Peppers: Cut them into bite-size pieces. You can swap them for other vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or even zucchini if you prefer.
  • Minced Garlic and Grated Ginger: Fresh is best here. If you’re in a pinch, you can use garlic and ginger paste, but the taste won’t be quite as bold.

Adjusting the Heat Level

As written, this recipe is a medium heat level. If you love that fiery kick, feel free to crank up the heat! Adding extra Asian chili garlic sauce or more crushed red pepper flakes will definitely do the trick. You can also toss in some fresh chili peppers like Thai chilies or serranos if you really want to burn your face off.

If you prefer your Szechuan chicken on the milder side, it’s easy to dial it back. Simply reduce the amount of chili garlic sauce or omit the crushed red pepper flakes altogether.

Szechuan chicken in a wok.

Meal Prep Option

After cooking, portion out the chicken and veggies into individual containers, pairing each one with a serving of steamed rice or your favorite noodles. To keep things fresh, let everything cool to room temperature before sealing the containers. These prepped meals will stay delicious in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to eat, just pop a portion in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until it’s heated through.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 5-7 minutes. Add a splash of water or chicken broth if needed to loosen the sauce.

Reheat in the microwave by placing a portion of the chicken and veggies in a microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high in 1-minute increments, stirring in between, until heated through.

More takeout-style chicken favorites…