Vibrant colored vegetables and tender chicken peep out of a shimmering golden broth. It's garnished with bright green scallions and a drizzle of chili oil, that create beautiful patterns on the surface, all served in a classic black iron pot.

Low Carb Szechuan-Style Chicken Hot Pot

Name: Low Carb Szechuan-Style Chicken Hot Pot
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: boneless, skinless chicken breast, 200 grams sliced; shiitake mushrooms, 80 grams thinly sliced; bok choy, 2 whole quartered; red bell pepper, 1 whole julienned; chicken bone broth, 4 cups; ginger, 1 inch piece peeled and minced; garlic, 2 cloves minced; Szechuan peppercorn, 1 teaspoon; star anise, 2 pieces; green onion, 2 stalks chopped; sambal oelek, 1 tablespoon; sesame oil, 1 tablespoon; chili oil, for garnish; salt and pepper, to taste

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 35 minutes

Style Chinese

Technique Stir Fry

Diet Friendly Low-Carb

Daily Recipe: November 22, 2024

This delightful fusion takes an unexpected low-carb spin on traditional Chinese Hot Pot, introducing the robust flavors of spicy Szechuan peppercorn and star anise to comforting chicken bone broth. The coloured veggies and tender protein source make it healthy, heart-warming and visually appealing.

Ingredients (for 2)

Boneless, skinless chicken breast - 200 grams - sliced
Shiitake mushrooms - 80 grams - thinly sliced
Bok choy - 2 whole - quartered
Red bell pepper - 1 whole - julienned
Chicken bone broth - 4 cups
Ginger - 1 inch piece - peeled and minced
Garlic - 2 cloves - minced
Szechuan peppercorn - 1 teaspoon
Star anise - 2 pieces
Green onion - 2 stalks - chopped
Sambal oelek - 1 tablespoon
Sesame oil - 1 tablespoon
Chili oil - - for garnish
Salt and pepper - - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🥘🔥🥢

Heat the sesame oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Step 2 - 🥘🍲🌶️

Add ginger, garlic, Szechuan peppercorn, and star anise to the pot. Stir it around until it becomes fragrant.
Step 3 - 🥘🍗🍴

Add the chicken to the pot and cook until no longer pink.
Step 4 - 🥘🥣🍜

Pour in the chicken bone broth, followed by the sambal oelek. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 20 minutes.
Step 5 - 🥘🍄🌶️

Add shiitake mushrooms, bok choy, and red bell pepper into the pot. Let it simmer for another 10 minutes.
Step 6 - 🥘🧂🍽️

Season the hot pot with salt and pepper.
Step 7 - 🥘🌱🌶️

Discard the star anise. Garnish the dish with chopped green onions and a drizzle of chili oil.
Step 8 - 🥘🍚♨️

Serve hot with a side of cauliflower rice, if desired.

Additional

If you wish to modify the recipe, you could swap chicken with tofu for a vegan version or add more vegetables of your choice. Children could assist by washing the vegetables or plating the dish. The star anise and Szechuan peppercorn in this recipe are traditional to Sichuan cuisine, famed for its bold, aromatic and spicy flavours.