At the table
Pick out the chicken pieces from among the dried chilies. The chilies and peppercorns mainly season the dish; you can leave them on the plate.
Chicken pieces may contain small bones. Take small bites and expect strong chili heat and peppercorn numbness.
Bone-in and boneless versions exist. Chili, peppercorns and garnishes such as sesame vary by cook.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Seasoning amounts and heat control change the result.
Typical ingredients
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Salty, chili-hot and peppery.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Crisp outside with softer chicken inside.
- How it’s made
- Deep-fry diced chicken and combine with chilies and aromatics.
Seasoning amounts and heat control change the result.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Chongqing.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有歌乐山辣子鸡吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
A chicken dish beside the Sanbaiti steps
This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.
One local account places an early Gele Mountain chili-chicken shop beside the Sanbaiti steps in Chongqing. The cook used young farm-raised roosters, cut and marinated them, then stir-fried the pieces with plenty of chilies and Sichuan pepper. The crisp, fragrant dish became a local favorite. Its cooking craft is now listed as a district-level intangible cultural heritage representative project. Some diners enjoy searching the bed of chilies for the chicken pieces.