Chicken With Walnuts
Chicken With Walnuts offers a savory combination of tender chicken, crunchy walnuts, and colorful vegetables, all coated in a flavorful soy-based sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying family meal, this dish pairs beautifully with hot steamed rice and delivers a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. chicken breasts (skinless and boneless) ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 2 tsp. cornstarch ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. dry sherry ⓘ
- 1 tsp. grated ginger root ⓘ
- 1 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
- 2 Tbsp. cooking oil ⓘ
- 2 medium green peppers, cut into 3/4-inch pieces ⓘ
- 4 green onions, bias-sliced into 1-inch lengths ⓘ
- 1 c. walnut halves
- hot cooked rice ⓘ
Instructions
- Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces and set aside.
- In a small bowl, stir soy sauce into cornstarch; add dry sherry, grated ginger, sugar, salt, and crushed red pepper; set aside.
- Preheat a wok over high heat.
- Add cooking oil; stir-fry green peppers and green onions in hot oil for 2 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Remove vegetables from wok and set aside.
- Add half of the chicken to the hot oil; stir-fry for 2 minutes.
- Remove cooked chicken from wok and set aside.
- Stir-fry remaining chicken for 2 minutes.
- Return all chicken to the wok.
- Stir in the soy sauce mixture and cook until thickened and bubbly.
- Add vegetables and walnuts; cover and cook for 1 minute.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in the soy sauce mixture for at least 30 minutes before cooking. You can substitute the walnuts with cashews or almonds for a different crunch. If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the crushed red pepper or omit it entirely. Serve over hot cooked rice or noodles, and consider adding vegetables like broccoli for extra nutrition, similar to Stir-Fry Chicken And Broccoli.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Chicken With Walnuts over a bed of fluffy rice or alongside steamed vegetables for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with a side of egg rolls or a fresh salad. For an Asian-inspired dinner, consider serving with additional Chinese recipes like Sweet And Sour Chicken or Cantonese Shrimp And Beans.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. You can also microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until hot. Avoid reheating more than once for best quality.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken With Walnuts contains roughly 585 calories, with 17g protein, 127g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (91% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (37% of the Daily Value), and protein (34% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2016mg per serving (88% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but be sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator before cooking. This will ensure even cooking and better texture. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly if using frozen pieces that are still partially frozen.
What can I substitute for dry sherry?
If you don't have dry sherry, you can use white wine or even rice vinegar as a substitute. Both will provide a similar acidity and depth of flavor. If you prefer a non-alcoholic option, a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water can also work well.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To increase the spiciness, add more crushed red pepper or include sliced fresh chili peppers when stir-frying the vegetables. You could also drizzle some chili oil over the finished dish for an extra kick, enhancing the flavors without overwhelming the dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).