Name: Spicy Szechuan Chicken and Eggplant
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds Chinese purple eggplant; 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed; Salt & pepper; ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth; ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 teaspoon tomato paste; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1 tablespoon sambal oelek; ½ teaspoon brown sugar; ½ teaspoon cornstarch; 2 tablespoons canola oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 shallot, chopped; ¼ cup red bell pepper (or green), chopped; 2 green onions, chopped; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced or grated; 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced; Brown or white rice for serving

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Last week as I was strolling through my all-time favorite Asian market in Atlanta, these incredibly gorgeous Chinese eggplants caught my eye and inspired me to make a Spicy Szechuan Chicken and Eggplant that I cannot wait to share with you!

Szechuan chicken and eggplant on a white plate with chopsticks and a bowl of brown rice on the side.

I added veggies and chicken, and the sauce is sweet and savory with a little heat 🌶 (just the way I like it!). I used sambal oelek for the spiciness! Be careful not to use too much or your mouth will need a fire extinguisher!

What does szechuan mean?

The term "szechuan" is a style of Chinese cooking that is spicy, oily, and especially peppery. This style of cooking first originated from the Sichuan Province and is less commonly known as "sichuan."

A pile of purple Chinese eggplant on top of a round wooden board.

I found Chinese eggplant at my Asian farmer’s market (they’re long and thin). It is sometimes tricky to find Chinese eggplant so you can always substitute it with traditional eggplant.

Why chinese eggplant?

Chinese eggplant is becoming increasingly common at farmers’ markets and is typically longer, thinner and a bit more corkscrew-shaped than the eggplant you may be used to. And while it may look strange, it still shares the same nutritional benefits that have made the purple plant a popular mealtime choice.
Eggplant is valued for the variety of ways it can be cooked, and Chinese eggplant is even more versatile because it has a much thinner skin and is practically seedless. The sponginess of its fleshy inside drinks in seasonings like soy sauce, miso and ginger.

What are the health benefits of eggplant?

Raw eggplant is very low in calories, saturated fat and sodium, with only 20 calories per cup. It’s a high source of dietary fiber and is packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, folate, potassium, and magnesium. So good for you!

A black bowl of fresh shiitake mushrooms on top of a wooden board

Fresh shiitake mushrooms give this dish a woodsy flavor, along with freshly grated ginger -- so perfect in this Spicy Szechuan Chicken and Eggplant dish!

fresh ginger root on top of a burlap napkin with cut ginger in the background

a box of Trader Joe's organic brown rice

This organic brown rice from Trader Joe's is a great side for just about any Asian dish! Try it with this spicy eggplant dish for the perfect bite! The rice also tempers the heat.

This Spicy Szechuan Chicken and Eggplant truly hits the spot! It’s a simple but elegant stir fry that’s easy to prepare but packed with flavor. Skip the Chinese takeout and make this healthy Asian chicken and eggplant stir-fry at home!

TIPS & TRICKS:

If you cannot find Chinese eggplants, you can use the traditional variety as well.
Sambal oelek can be found at most grocery stores in the Asian section and at specialty Asian markets.

WANT MORE?

If you liked this recipe, you’re going to want these delicious recipes too:

Update Notes: This post was originally published on July 11, 2016, but was republished with slight text changes and additions, like step by step instructions and tips in January 2020.