Numbing Spicy Chicken of Hunan | Stir Fry Chicken Recipe of Hunan Province

Numbing Spicy Chicken of Hunan is a spicy stir-fried chicken dish. Hunan Chicken, also known as Xiang cuisine, originated in the Hunan province of south central China, The Numbing Spicy Chicken of Hunan is marinated then quickly stir fried with a mixture of vegetables, and after that finished with spicy and slightly sweet brown sauce. Hunan cuisine is characterized by its bold, slightly tart, spicy flavors of garlic and fresh chili peppers. 

Both Hunan chicken and Szechuan chicken are spicy. But there are two difference between the cuisine of these two provinces and that difference varies primarily in the sauce ingredients. 

Fermented Chinese chili-bean paste called doubanjiang is mainly used in Hunan chicken for it's heat and flavor, but  Szechuan chicken focuses mainly  on tongue-numbing Sichuan peppercorns and spicy peppers.

Here's a recipe for making Numbing Spicy Chicken of Hunan  at home:

If you like Chinese dishes, here is another recipe for you:

• Kung Pao Chicken Recipe of Sichuan Province

Ingredients of Numbing Spicy Chicken of Hunan:

For the Marinade:

• 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

For the Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons whole fermented black beans
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon chili paste or sambal oelek (adjust to your desired level of spiciness)

For the Stir-Fry:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, minced
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup broccoli florets (optional)
• 1-2 dried red chili peppers (adjust to your spice preference)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Instructions Numbing Spicy Chicken of Hunan :

1. Marinate the Chicken:

• In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with the marinade ingredients (soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and cornstarch). Mix well all of the ingredients with chicken and let it marinate for about 15-20 minutes and by that time prepare the other ingredients.

2. Prepare the Sauce:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and chili paste. Set the sauce aside.

3. Stir-Fry:

• First heat a large skillet or wok over high heat. When your skillet  just starting to smoke, add the vegetable oil and let it get hot.
• Add the minced ginger and garlic and stir-fry all for about 30-40 seconds until fragrant.
• Add fermented black beans and  the dried red chili peppers and stir-fry for an additional 30 seconds.
• Add the marinated chicken pieces to the wok and spread them out in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for about 1-2 minutes until they start to brown.
• Stir-fry the chicken until it's cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the wok and set it aside.
• In the same wok, add a little more oil if needed and then add the sliced bell pepper, onion, mushrooms, and broccoli (if using). Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.

4. Combine and Finish:

• Return the cooked chicken to the wok and pour the prepared sauce over everything.
• Stir everything together very well so that  the chicken and vegetables get evenly coated with the sauce.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember that you have already added salty soy sauce, so  be cautious with the salt. 

5. Serving of Numbing Spicy Chicken of Hunan:

• Once everything is heated through and well-coated with the sauce, transfer the Hunan stir-fry chicken to a serving plate.

6. Garnish Your Numbing Spicy Chicken of Hunan:

• If you desire, you can garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. 

7. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Enjoy your homemade Numbing Spicy Chicken of Hunan  with its delicious blend of flavors and a kick of spiciness! Adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less chili paste to your preference .