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Put down the take-out menu and whip up this easy Hunan Chicken recipe in under 30 minutes! Made with fresh vegetables and a simple homemade Hunan sauce, this recipe delivers a copycat version of a popular take-out dish that tastes even better at home.
Bold, flavorful, and wholesome, this Copycat Hunan Chicken is one of our favorite stir-fry recipes. Just like my recipes for Hunan Beef and Hunan Shrimp, it is easy to customize, easy to make, and perfect for a family weeknight dinner.
Kristen's Keys For Hunan Chicken
A few small details make a big difference when it comes to this Hunan chicken recipe. Paying attention to these key tips will ensure the best results with the least amount of prep.
- Prep before cooking. Just like all my stir fry recipes, Hunan chicken cooks quickly, so it is best to have the chicken and veggies diced and sauce whisked together before turning on the stove.
- Oyster sauce and chili paste build an authentic tasting Hunan sauce. For the most authentic tasting version, use chile paste (sambal oelek) not chili sauce and oyster sauce. If you don't have Oyster sauce it on hand, you can use Hoisin sauce, but I would omit the honey, as Hoisin is on the sweeter side.
- Use the chicken and vegetables YOU like or have on hand. You can make this recipe with chicken breasts or chicken thighs. And while I love adding broccoli, bell peppers, and onions to the Hunan chicken, feel free to add in baby corn, sliced mushrooms, sugar snap peas, diced zucchini, diced carrots, or chopped bok choy.
5-Star Reader Review
This is my hubby's favorite so I wanted to surprise him. He liked it better than his favorite restaurant!! Thanks for this recipe. -Debbie T.
How to Make Hunan Chicken
The following section is provided to help you make the best version of Hunan Chicken, with a few tips along the way.
Step One: Prepare Hunan Sauce
Start this recipe by making the Hunan sauce so that it is ready to add to the quick-cooking stir-fry. It comes together by simply whisking together the broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, honey, chili paste, and cornstarch together in small bowl until the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
Step Two: Brown Chicken
Cook the cubed chicken in heated oil until browned on all sides. This will allow the chicken to cook through without overcooking the vegetables. Once the chicken is golden brown, remove it from the skillet and set it on a plate.
Step Three: Sauté Vegetables
After browning the chicken, add the vegetables to the same skillet and sauté until the veggies are crisp-tender. Then add in the garlic and sauté for just 30 seconds longer.
Step Four: Simmer Everything Together
Once the vegetables are crisp-tender, add the chicken back to the pan, along with the reserved Hunan sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and cook for 1-2 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Remove from the heat and dinner is done!!
Step Five: Serve
Hunan Chicken is traditionally served over rice and topped with minced green onions. I love pairing this chicken fry with Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or Instant Pot Brown Rice for a family favorite dinner for a fraction of the cost of dining out.
Recipe Modifications
Not only does this recipe for Hunan Chicken use ingredients you can easily find at any grocery store, but by preparing this dish at home, you can control the level of spice and what vegetables are added, making it suitable for your family. Below are some tips to help you make the best selection.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free broth, gluten-free soy sauce, and gluten-free oyster sauce. Pay special attention to the soy sauce and oyster sauce, as they often contain wheat products.
- Vegetable Options: Feel free to add in baby corn, sliced mushrooms, sugar snap peas, diced zucchini, diced carrots, or chopped bok choy into this stir-fry along with the peppers and broccoli.
- Control the Heat: As written this dish has a mild kick. If you would like a more mild level of spice, cut the chili paste to just 1 teaspoon. To increase the spice level, add an additional teaspoon of chili paste to the Hunan Sauce.
- Add Ginger: For additional flavor and a bit more spice, add up to 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger root to the stir fry at the same time you add in the garlic.
- Corn-Free: If you have an allergy to corn, feel free to use arrowroot powder or tapioca starch in place of cornstarch.
More Favorite Chinese-American Recipes
Hunan Chicken
Video
Ingredients
For the Stir Fry
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, or chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon canola oil, or avocado oil or peanut oil
- 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Hunan Sauce
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium oyster sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey, or brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons chili paste, such as sambal oelek
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch, or arrowroot powder
Instructions
- Remove any fat or grizzle from the chicken, dice into bite-sized 1-inch pieces, and season evenly with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Prepare the Hunan Sauce by whisking together ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth, 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons low-sodium oyster sauce, 2 teaspoons rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, 2 teaspoons chili paste, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch in a small bowl until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Set aside.
- Heat the oil in a large pan over high heat. Once the oil sizzles, add the chicken to the pan in a single layer. Cook in batches if needed. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until browned. Remove the seared chicken from the pan and place it on a plate.
- Add the broccoli, peppers, and onions to the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until the vegetables are just slightly tender. Add the 2 teaspoons minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
- Add the chicken back to the pan with the vegetables. Whisk the reserved sauce again to be sure fully incorporated, and then pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, and cook for 1-2 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve over rice or cauliflower rice, as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was a decent stir fry chicken but it lacked flavor. I wouldn’t make it again.
Hi Deb. Thanks for sharing your feedback. I am sorry you felt this lacked flavor. Did you happen to substitute or omit anything or increase chicken and veggies without increasing sauce? With soy, oyster sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and chili paste, If find it pretty flavorful.
This was absolutely delicious. Wanted a different way to make boneless chicken thighs. I very rarely make chinese food, always get takeout. However, since I had all the ingredients on hand decided to give it a try. Followed the recipe exactly except I added a tiny amount of chili paste as I prefer mild, not too spicy. It came out great, better than I expected, and I didn't have to leave the house and drive to pick it up. My husband thought it was just as good as takeout.
Hi Sue! I absolutely love hearing you and your husband enjoyed this so much. Thanks for taking the time to share 🙂
This dish sounds yummy but I have not made it yet because I wanted clarification. Rice "wine" vinegar is shown in the picture of the ingredients but rice vinegar is listed in the recipe. Which one is correct?
Hi Shelley! They are essentially interchangeable and will both work in this recipe. Enjoy!
Thank you for another easy and delicious recipe!! I'll be making this often from now on.
Thanks so much, Elaine!
This hunan chicken recipe is one of the easiest yet remarkably delicious! Packed with flavors and so tender. Definitely a must try!
Thank you for sharing your review, Sharina! I love hearing you enjoyed this recipe for Hunan Chicken.
This is my hubby's favorite so I wanted to surprise him. He liked it better than his favorite restaurant!! Thanks for this recipe.
That is a huge win! Thank you for sharing!
This is really good!! I loved it! Perfect for dinner any night!