Szechuan chicken | Hermagic
Szechuan Chicken is a beloved Chinese dish renowned for its bold flavors and tongue-tingling spiciness. One of the popular renditions of this culinary delight is offered by Gousto, a renowned meal kit delivery service.
Understanding Szechuan cuisine and its signature dish
Understanding Szechuan cuisine and its signature dish | Hermagic
Szechuan cuisine hails from the Sichuan province in southwestern China, celebrated for its bold, fiery, and numbing flavors. Among its many iconic dishes, Chicken Szechuan Style holds a special place. This dish showcases the perfect balance of heat, numbing Szechuan peppercorns, and aromatic spices that characterize the cuisine.
Gousto, known for its commitment to delivering high-quality meal kits, presents its own rendition of Szechuan Chicken. The kit includes carefully curated ingredients that ensure an authentic and flavorsome experience, while offering convenience and ease of preparation.
Steps for preparation of szechuan chicken
The rich flavors and spicy kick of Szechuan chicken have made it a favourite Chinese dish around the world. It is a delicious combination of tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a tangy, aromatic sauce. Gousto, a renowned meal kit service, offers a convenient way to prepare this delectable dish in the comfort of your own kitchen.
I. Gathering the Ingredients:
To begin the preparation of Szechuan chicken, gather all the necessary ingredients as specified in Gousto’s recipe. These typically include:
Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces. Around 400-500 grams should suffice.
Vegetables: Gousto’s recipe often includes a mix of colorful vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and spring onions. You can change it up whatever you like.
Szechuan Sauce: The star of the dish, Szechuan sauce provides the characteristic spicy and flavorful element. Gousto provides a pre-made Szechuan sauce in their meal kit, but you can also prepare it from scratch using ingredients like soy sauce, chili paste, garlic, ginger, and Szechuan peppercorns.
Rice or Noodles: Szechuan chicken is traditionally served with steamed rice, but you can opt for noodles if preferred.
Cooking Oil and Seasonings: Vegetable oil, salt, and pepper are commonly used in this recipe.
II. Preparing the Chicken:
Once you have gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to start preparing the chicken. Follow these steps:
Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with a tablespoon of Szechuan sauce and season with salt and pepper. Allow the chicken to marinate for about 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Searing the Chicken: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of cooking oil. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken and cook until it turns golden brown and is cooked through. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Set the cooked chicken aside.
III. Stir-Frying the Vegetables:
Next, it’s time to stir-fry the vegetables to create a colorful and nutritious base for the Szechuan chicken. Follow these steps:
Prep the Vegetables: Wash and cut the vegetables into thin slices or julienne them, ensuring they are of similar size for even cooking.
Heat the Wok: Clean the skillet or wok used to cook the chicken and return it to medium-high heat. Add another tablespoon of cooking oil and allow it to heat up.
Stir-Fry the Vegetables: Add the prepared vegetables to the hot wok and stir-fry them for about 2-3 minutes, or until they are crisp-tender. Be mindful not to overcook them, as the goal is to retain their vibrant colors and crunchiness.
Health benefits of Szechuan Chicken
Health benefits of Szechuan Chicken | Hermagic
1. Rich in Protein:
Szechuan chicken is typically made with chicken breast, a lean source of protein. Protein is an essential macronutrient that plays a crucial role in building and repairing tissues, supporting a healthy immune system, and promoting muscle growth. Including Szechuan chicken in your diet can help meet your daily protein requirements and keep you feeling satiated.
2. Contains Essential Vitamins and Minerals:
Szechuan chicken is often prepared with a variety of vegetables and spices, which add to its nutritional value. Vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots are commonly used in Szechuan chicken recipes, providing essential vitamins and minerals.
Bell peppers, for instance, are an excellent source of vitamin C, which boosts immunity and aids in collagen production. Carrots are rich in vitamin A, promoting healthy vision, while broccoli provides fiber and essential nutrients like folate and potassium.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Properties:
One of the key ingredients in Szechuan chicken is Szechuan peppercorn, which gives the dish its characteristic numbing and tingling sensation. Szechuan peppercorn contains an active compound called hydroxy-alpha sanshool, which has been found to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming Szechuan chicken may help reduce inflammation in the body and alleviate symptoms of conditions like arthritis and chronic pain.
Conclusion
Szechuan chicken is a delicious and popular Chinese dish known for its bold flavors and spicy kick. With the right ingredients and a step-by-step process, you can easily prepare this mouthwatering dish at home. In this essay, we will explore the steps for preparing Szechuan chicken using a recipe provided by Gousto, a renowned meal kit delivery service. For more information, visit Hermagic.
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