Chinese Chicken With Hoisin Sauce
A vibrant Chinese stir-fry featuring tender chicken and colorful vegetables coated in hoisin sauce, perfect for quick, flavorful family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 2 medium chicken breasts, skinless and boneless ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon dry sherry ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 bunch scallions ⓘ
- 1 red pepper ⓘ
- 1 bunch broccoli ⓘ
- 1 zucchini ⓘ
- asparagus
- mushrooms ⓘ
- water chestnuts ⓘ
- 1/4 cup roasted cashew nuts ⓘ
Instructions
- Cut chicken breasts into bite-size pieces and combine with soy sauce, sherry, and cornstarch in a bowl.
- Prepare vegetables: chop scallions, red pepper, broccoli, zucchini, asparagus, mushrooms, and water chestnuts.
- Stir-fry vegetables in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for about 2 minutes, starting with scallions, then add salt and other vegetables.
- Remove vegetables from pan and set aside.
- Stir-fry chicken in 3 tablespoons vegetable oil until it changes color and is cooked through.
- Add cooked vegetables and roasted cashew nuts if desired back to the pan.
- Add hoisin sauce and mix well to coat everything evenly.
- Serve hot. Suitable for 3 to 4 servings.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, consider adding red pepper flakes or sriracha to the hoisin sauce. You can substitute chicken with tofu for a vegetarian option or use other proteins like shrimp or beef. If you don’t have dry sherry, white wine or chicken broth can work as a substitute. This dish also pairs well with fried rice and chicken to round out your meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish hot over a bed of steamed rice or alongside noodles for a complete meal. Garnish with additional chopped scallions or sesame seeds for added texture and flavor. It also pairs well with a light cucumber salad or steamed dumplings to complement the flavors of this vibrant dish.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm them in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. You can also microwave them in short intervals, stirring in between until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chinese Chicken With Hoisin Sauce contains roughly 336 calories, with 14g protein, 41g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (43% of the Daily Value) and protein (28% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2117mg per serving (92% 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 vegetables for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen vegetables, but be sure to thaw and drain them well before cooking. Frozen vegetables are often softer, so adjust the stir-frying time to avoid mushiness.
What can I substitute for hoisin sauce?
If you don't have hoisin sauce, you can create a substitute by mixing soy sauce, peanut butter, honey, and a dash of vinegar. This mixture will mimic the sweet and savory flavor profile of hoisin sauce.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To make this dish gluten-free, substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative. Ensure that all other ingredients, including the hoisin sauce, are certified gluten-free.
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).