Princess Chicken
Princess Chicken is a flavorful Chinese-inspired dish featuring tender chicken stir-fried with water chestnuts, colorful vegetables, and a savory sauce. The combination of soy, sherry, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes creates a delightful balance of umami, sweetness, and spice, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut chicken into bite-size pieces.
- Mix 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup sherry, 3/4 cup water, and 8 teaspoons cornstarch together. Toss over chicken and let marinate for 20 minutes.
- Mix remaining soy sauce, sherry, sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon water, and cornstarch to create the sauce mixture.
- Heat peanut oil in a wok or skillet.
- Stir-fry red pepper flakes for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add marinated chicken and stir-fry until chicken changes color.
- Add remaining sauce mixture, drained water chestnuts, and vegetables. Stir-fry until sauce thickens, vegetables are tender, and chicken is cooked through.
- Serve hot over rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider marinating the chicken longer than 20 minutes. If you don't have dry sherry, white wine or even chicken broth can be a suitable substitute. Adjust the red pepper flakes according to your heat preference; you could also add vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas for added color and nutrition. This dish is reminiscent of Chicken Stir-Fry Over Rice.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish hot over a bed of steamed rice for a complete meal. It pairs wonderfully with a light salad, such as Mandarin Chicken Salad, or a side of sautéed greens. You can also add a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top for garnish and extra crunch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of water to prevent sticking. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the chicken rubbery.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Princess Chicken contains roughly 677 calories, with 8g protein, 64g carbohydrates, and 47g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (134% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (39% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2131mg per serving (93% 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?
While it's best to use fresh chicken for optimal texture, you can use thawed frozen chicken. Ensure it's fully thawed before marinating to allow for even flavor absorption and cooking.
What kind of vegetables can I add?
You can add a variety of vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas. These will not only enhance the flavor but also provide color and additional nutrients to the dish.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, this recipe is great for meal prep! Just store the chicken and sauce separately from the rice until you're ready to eat. This ensures the rice stays fluffy and the chicken retains its saucy texture when reheated.
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).