Credit
Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food stylist: Maggie Ruggiero. Prop stylist: Heather Greene.
Story of Sichuan Hot Chicken
In the summer of 2019, Panda Express introduced a limited-time special called Sichuan hot chicken. Despite its name, the dish was quite different from traditional Sichuan cuisine. The chicken strips were fried to perfection and coated with a mildly spicy sauce that promised the numbing sensation of Sichuan pepper. Reviewers found the dish tender and crisp but lacking the intense heat and flavor of authentic Sichuan dishes.
Recipe: Lazi Ji (Chongqing Chicken With Chiles)
Panda Express never claimed that their Sichuan hot chicken was an authentic Sichuan dish. Instead, they described it as an American twist on a Chinese classic, inspired by Nashville hot chicken. Originating in the 1930s, Nashville hot chicken was known for its fiery kick. The popularity of this fusion dish led to the emergence of Sichuan hot chicken in various parts of the United States, offering a blend of Asian spiciness with a touch of chile oil or sriracha.
Even global spice companies like McCormick have embraced the trend, featuring recipes that combine Sichuan pepper with cayenne sauce for a unique flavor profile.
