Mala Chicken is a fiery Sichuan dish made with tender chicken stir-fried with Sichuan peppercorns, dried chilies, and chili bean paste. This Best Mala Chicken Recipe offers bold flavors and a perfect balance of numbing and spicy sensations. Ideal for spice lovers, it delivers a vibrant, mouth-tingling experience. Serve with steamed rice for a satisfying, flavorful meal that brings the authentic taste of Sichuan cuisine to your table.

A Spicy and Numbing Sichuan Classic
Mala Chicken is a fiery and flavorful dish from Sichuan cuisine, known for its combination of intense heat and numbing sensation, thanks to the use of Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilies. This Best Mala Chicken Recipe features tender pieces of chicken stir-fried with garlic, ginger, and chili bean paste, creating a mouthwatering dish that’s perfect for spice lovers. Whether you’re craving bold flavors or looking for an authentic Chinese meal, this recipe is sure to satisfy.
What is Mala Chicken?
Mala Chicken is a classic Sichuan dish that translates to “numbing and spicy chicken,” with “mala” referring to the combination of hot chilies and numbing Sichuan peppercorns. This dish is popular in Sichuan cuisine for its bold and complex flavors. The chicken is typically stir-fried and tossed in a sauce made with doubanjiang (spicy chili bean paste), dried red chilies, and Sichuan peppercorns. The result is a dish that delivers a powerful kick of spice with a unique numbing sensation that’s characteristic of Sichuan cooking.

How Should Mala Chicken Taste?
A well-prepared Mala Chicken should be spicy, savory, and numbing all at once. The chicken should be tender and coated in a flavorful sauce that’s rich with garlic, ginger, and doubanjiang. The Sichuan peppercorns provide the distinctive numbing effect, balancing out the heat from the dried chilies. The dish should have a complex depth of flavor, with the chilies adding heat and the peppercorns adding a tingling sensation that leaves your mouth buzzing.
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Tips for Making the Best Mala Chicken
To make the perfect Best Mala Chicken Recipe, follow these essential tips:
- Use Sichuan Peppercorns Properly: Toasting and grinding the peppercorns is key to unlocking their flavor. They add a numbing, citrusy sensation that’s essential to the dish. Without them, you won’t get the true “mala” experience.
- Control the Spice Level: Mala Chicken is known for its spiciness, but you can adjust it according to your preference. To make the dish milder, reduce the number of dried chilies or remove their seeds. You can also use less doubanjiang, though it adds much of the dish’s flavor.
- Use High Heat for Stir-Frying: Stir-frying the chicken and spices on high heat helps lock in the flavors and gives the dish its characteristic smoky, slightly charred flavor. Be careful not to burn the spices, as this can make the dish too bitter.
- Marinate the Chicken for Extra Flavor: Marinating the chicken with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and cornstarch helps tenderize it and infuses it with flavor. It also ensures the chicken remains juicy after stir-frying.

Mala Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Wok or large skillet
- Mortar and pestle or spice grinder
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
For the Mala Chicken:
- 500g chicken thighs or breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 tbsp Sichuan peppercorns
- 8-10 dried red chilies
- 1 tbsp doubanjiang (spicy chili bean paste)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (Chinese cooking wine)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 green onions chopped
- 1 tbsp cornstarch for coating the chicken
- 2 tablespoons vegetables oil
- 1 tsp sesame oil optional
For Garnish:
- Fresh cilantro or chopped green onion (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Marinate the ChickenIn a mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and cornstarch. Mix well and let the chicken marinate for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.2. Prepare the Sichuan Peppercorns and ChiliesToast the Sichuan peppercorns in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Then, use a mortar and pestle or spice grinder to coarsely grind the peppercorns. Set aside.Break the dried red chilies into halves (remove seeds for less heat) and set aside.3. Cook the ChickenHeat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the wok and set aside.4. Stir-Fry the AromaticsIn the same wok, add the minced garlic, ginger, and the white parts of the green onions. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.Add the doubanjiang (chili bean paste) and stir-fry for another 1 minute until the oil turns red.5. Add the Sichuan Peppercorns and ChiliesAdd the toasted and ground Sichuan peppercorns and the dried red chilies to the wok. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes to release the heat and aroma.6. Combine and CookReturn the cooked chicken to the wok and toss everything together. Add the sugar and stir well to coat the chicken in the spicy sauce.Drizzle with sesame oil (if using) for added flavor.7. ServeTransfer the Mala Chicken to a serving plate and garnish with fresh cilantro or chopped green onions.Serve hot with steamed rice for a fiery and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Adjust the Spice Level: To reduce the spiciness, you can remove the seeds from the dried red chilies or reduce the amount of doubanjiang.
- Sichuan Peppercorns: These peppercorns add the characteristic “numbing” sensation to Mala Chicken. Toasting and grinding them ensures maximum flavor.
- Vegetarian Version: You can replace the chicken with tofu or mushrooms for a vegetarian version, using the same mala sauce and spices.
- Serve Immediately: Mala Chicken is best served hot and fresh, as the spiciness and flavors are more intense right after cooking.
Conclusion
Mala Chicken is a must-try dish for those who love spicy and bold flavors. This Best Mala Chicken Recipe gives you all the tools to recreate this classic Sichuan dish at home, with its perfect balance of numbing and spicy sensations. Whether you’re a fan of Sichuan cuisine or looking for a new dish to spice up your dinner routine, Mala Chicken is guaranteed to impress. Serve it with steamed rice to balance the heat, and enjoy the full flavor of Sichuan in every bite.