Quick Chinese Chicken
A quick and flavorful Chinese chicken dish featuring tender breasts, crunchy almonds, and savory chow mein noodles, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a skillet with a tight-fitting cover, combine chicken breasts, water, salt, and pepper. Bring to a rolling boil.
- Skim off the broth, reduce heat, cover, and cook for 35 minutes.
- Remove the chicken breasts, let cool, then remove bones and skin, discarding them.
- Strain the broth, chill until fat rises to the top, then skim off and discard the fat.
- Shred or chop the cooked chicken as desired and use in your preferred dish.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken in soy sauce and garlic for an hour before cooking. If you don't have roasted almonds, walnuts or sesame seeds can be great alternatives. Instead of cream of mushroom soup, you can use cream of chicken soup for a different taste. This dish also works well with leftover chicken from other meals, making it a versatile choice for quick dinners.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish over steamed rice or alongside a fresh salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Sweet 'N Sour Strips for a flavor-packed dinner. For a crunchy texture, top with extra chow mein noodles just before serving. A side of steamed broccoli or green beans complements the dish well and adds color.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a microwave-safe dish and cover. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through. You can also reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to keep it moist.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Quick Chinese Chicken contains roughly 1243 calories, with 30g protein, 59g carbohydrates, and 103g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (62% of the Daily Value), protein (60% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (53% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2192mg per serving (95% 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 breasts for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but it will increase the cooking time. Ensure they are fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. You may need to add about 10-15 minutes to the cooking time, so monitor closely while boiling.
What can I substitute for chow mein noodles?
If you don't have chow mein noodles, you can substitute with rice noodles or even crispy wonton strips for a similar texture. Alternatively, serve the chicken over rice to absorb the flavors of the dish.
Is there a vegetarian version of this dish?
Absolutely! You can replace the chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, which can be marinated and cooked similarly. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and keep the other ingredients the same for a delicious vegetarian version.
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).