Nut And Honey Stir-Fry
A vibrant stir-fry featuring tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, nuts, and a sweet honey-orange sauce, perfect for a quick, flavorful meal for family or friends.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast ⓘ
- 3/4 cup orange juice ⓘ
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup peanuts or cashews ⓘ
- cooked white or brown rice ⓘ
- 2 ribs celery ⓘ
- 1 medium sweet potato ⓘ
- 2 cups broccoli florets ⓘ
- 2 green onions ⓘ
Instructions
- Cut chicken into thin strips and set aside.
- Mix orange juice, honey, soy sauce, cornstarch, and grated fresh ginger in a small bowl.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet.
- Add chicken pieces and stir-fry until white and opaque, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Remove chicken from wok and set aside.
- Add another tablespoon of oil to the wok.
- Stir-fry sliced celery, diced sweet potato, and broccoli florets over high heat until crisp-tender.
- Return chicken strips to the wok along with the orange juice mixture.
- Cook and stir over medium-high heat until the sauce thickens.
- Sprinkle with peanuts or cashews and sliced green onions.
- Spoon over cooked white or brown rice and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a quick weeknight meal, prep your chicken and vegetables ahead of time. Substitute honey with maple syrup for a different flavor or use tamari for a gluten-free version. If you prefer more spice, add red pepper flakes to the stir-fry. Remember to stir constantly to prevent sticking, especially when adding the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with cooked white or brown rice, which absorbs the delicious sauce. You can also serve it alongside a simple cucumber salad or steamed dumplings for a complete meal. For a vegetarian option, replace chicken with tofu and browse more Chinese recipes for additional ideas.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, you can use a microwave or heat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Avoid reheating more than once to maintain the best texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Nut And Honey Stir-Fry contains roughly 754 calories, with 25g protein, 106g carbohydrates, and 29g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (53% of the Daily Value), protein (50% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (28% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% 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 it's best to thaw it completely in the refrigerator before cooking. This ensures even cooking and better texture. If you're short on time, you can use thinly sliced pre-cooked chicken, reducing the stir-frying time.
What vegetables can I add to the stir-fry?
Feel free to mix in any vegetables you have on hand, such as bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots. Just be mindful of cooking times to ensure everything is crisp-tender. Broccoli and sweet potato work well, but you can experiment with your favorites.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add heat, incorporate fresh sliced chilies or a dash of sriracha into the cooking process. You can also sprinkle red pepper flakes on top before serving. Adjust the amount to your heat preference, and be sure to balance it with the sweetness of the honey.
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).