Stir-Fried Chicken Liver with Onions and Peppers Recipe
Introduction
Chicken Liver with Onion and Pepper is a quick and flavorful stir-fry that combines tender chicken livers with aromatic garlic, ginger, and a savory sauce. This dish is perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner served over steamed rice.

Ingredients
- 12 oz chicken liver, sliced to 1/4” (1/2 cm) pieces
- 2 teaspoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorns (or ground black pepper)
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 1/2 onion, sliced to bite-size pieces
- 1 bell pepper (or sweet pepper, or both), sliced to bite-size pieces
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Place the chicken liver in a medium-sized bowl, drain any excess liquid, then add 2 teaspoons Shaoxing wine and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Gently mix with your hand to combine, then sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch and mix again to coat evenly.
- Step 2: In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup chicken broth, 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon dark soy sauce, 2 teaspoons sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorns. Stir well to prepare the sauce.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tablespoon peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Spread the sliced chicken liver without overlapping and cook for 1 minute without stirring until the bottom is golden brown. Flip and cook the other side for about 1 minute until just cooked through. If you see blood, cook a bit longer. Transfer the liver to a plate and set aside.
- Step 4: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon peanut oil to the skillet, then add minced garlic and ginger. Stir a few times until fragrant.
- Step 5: Add the sliced onion and stir-fry for 1 minute.
- Step 6: Return the cooked liver to the pan, add the sliced bell pepper, and stir the sauce mixture again to dissolve the cornstarch completely. Pour the sauce into the pan and stir-fry until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the ingredients.
- Step 7: Turn off the heat, add the sesame oil, give everything a final stir, and immediately transfer to a serving plate.
- Step 8: Serve hot over steamed rice as a main dish.
Tips & Variations
- For a milder flavor, use only bell peppers without the Sichuan peppercorns. You can also substitute Shaoxing wine with dry sherry or omit alcohol entirely if preferred.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to avoid overcooking the liver, which can become tough.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken livers for this recipe?
Yes, but thaw them completely and pat dry before marinating to ensure even cooking and proper coating with the cornstarch.
Is it necessary to use Shaoxing wine?
While Shaoxing wine adds authentic flavor, you can substitute it with dry sherry or skip it if you prefer an alcohol-free version; the dish will still be delicious.
PrintStir-Fried Chicken Liver with Onions and Peppers Recipe
A flavorful Chinese stir-fry featuring tender chicken liver cooked with onions, bell peppers, and a savory sauce infused with Shaoxing wine and Sichuan peppercorns, perfect for a quick and nutritious meal served over steamed rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stir Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
Chicken Liver Marinade
- 12 oz chicken liver, sliced to 1/4” (1/2 cm) pieces
- 2 teaspoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
Sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorns (or ground black pepper)
Stir Fry Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 1/2 onion, sliced to bite-size pieces
- 1 bell pepper (or sweet pepper, or both), sliced to bite-size pieces
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Marinate the liver: Add the chicken liver to a medium-sized bowl, draining off any excess liquid. Pour in 2 teaspoons of Shaoxing wine and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Gently mix the liver with your hand to combine. Then sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch over the liver and mix again until the pieces are evenly coated.
- Mix the sauce: In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine 1/4 cup chicken broth, 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon dark soy sauce, 2 teaspoons sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorns. Stir until completely blended.
- Cook the liver: Heat 1 tablespoon peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Spread the chicken liver slices in the skillet without overlapping. Cook for 1 minute without stirring until the bottom turns golden brown. Flip and cook the other side for about 1 minute, until just cooked through. Cook a little longer if any blood is still visible. Then transfer the cooked liver to a plate and set aside.
- Stir-fry aromatics and vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon peanut oil to the skillet. Add minced garlic and ginger, stirring a few times to release their fragrance. Then add the sliced onion and stir-fry for 1 minute until slightly softened.
- Combine all ingredients: Return the cooked chicken liver to the skillet and add the sliced bell pepper. Stir the prepared sauce again to ensure the cornstarch is fully dissolved, then pour the sauce into the pan. Stir constantly and cook until the sauce thickens and evenly coats all the ingredients.
- Finish and serve: Turn off the heat, drizzle 1 teaspoon sesame oil over the stir-fry, and give it a final stir. Immediately transfer the dish to a serving plate and serve hot over steamed rice.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken liver is sliced evenly to promote uniform cooking.
- Sichuan peppercorns provide a unique numbing spice, but ground black pepper can be used as a milder substitute.
- Adjust the sugar level in the sauce to your preferred sweetness.
- Use fresh chicken livers for best texture and flavor.
- Cooking liver quickly at medium-high heat prevents it from becoming tough.
Keywords: chicken liver stir fry, Chinese chicken liver recipe, liver with onion and pepper, Shaoxing wine chicken liver, easy stir fry

