Hunan vs Szechuan: A Spicy Journey Through Chinese Cuisine
– Szechuan Chicken and Hunan Chicken are two popular dishes in Chinese cuisine
– The main difference between them is the spiciness level and additional ingredients
– Hunan Chicken is spicier and tangier, mixed with vegetables such as bell pepper, carrots, green onion, mushrooms, corn, and zucchini
– Szechuan Chicken has a robust and less spicy flavor, usually combined with peppers and sesame seeds
– Szechuan Chicken is prepared by cutting the chicken into cubes and pan-frying it with a flour-based batter, while Hunan Chicken is sliced into thinner strips, marinated, and stir-fried with vegetables
– Szechuan Chicken is higher in calories due to deep-frying and batter, with about 36 more calories per 100 grams compared to Hunan Chicken, which has about 100 calories per 100-gram serving
– Hunan Chicken typically has a light gravy, while Szechuan Chicken is usually drier
– Szechuan Chicken is described as having a robust but plain spiciness, while Hunan Chicken has a spicy and tangy flavor but less of a tingling sensation
– Szechuan Chicken contains Doubanjiang, peppercorn, sugar, and wine or sherry, while Hunan Chicken includes dried chilis and garlic for flavor
– Szechuan Chicken is cubed, battered, deep-fried, and then pan-fried, while Hunan Chicken is thinly sliced and stir-fried with sauce and veggies
– Szechuan Chicken has about 150 calories per 100 grams of serving, while Hunan Chicken has about 100 calories per 100 grams
– Szechuan Chicken is typically served dry with no gravy, while Hunan Chicken is covered in a light brown gravy
– Szechuan and Hunan Chicken can be substituted for each other, but it would require different preparation and ingredients