Zesty Stir-Fried Chicken
A vibrant stir-fry featuring tender chicken, crunchy pea pods, and zesty orange flavors, perfect for quick, flavorful Asian-inspired meals suited for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts ⓘ
- 1/4 cup soy sauce ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons dry sherry ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons orange marmalade ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes ⓘ
- 1 small orange ⓘ
- 12 ounces frozen Chinese pea pods ⓘ
- salad oil
- salt ⓘ
- 3/4 cup blanched whole almonds ⓘ
Instructions
- Cut each chicken breast in half.
- Cut each half into 6 chunks.
- In a medium bowl, combine chicken, soy sauce, sherry, orange marmalade, cornstarch, minced ginger, and crushed red pepper.
- Set aside to marinate.
- Cut the orange into thin slices and cut each slice in half; set aside.
- Drain pea pods and pat dry with paper towels.
- In a wok or 5-quart Dutch oven over high heat, add 2 tablespoons of salad oil.
- Stir-fry pea pods with 1/2 teaspoon salt until tender-crisp, about 2 minutes.
- Remove pea pods and keep warm.
- In the same wok, add more oil if necessary, and cook the chicken mixture until cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add orange slices and stir-fry briefly to heat through.
- Return pea pods to the wok, toss everything together to combine, and serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, increase the crushed red pepper flakes or serve with a side of Sriracha. If you don't have dry sherry, you can substitute with rice vinegar or white wine. Consider using fresh vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli for added crunch and nutrition. For a twist, try adding hoisin sauce for a different flavor profile, reminiscent of some Chinese recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish over a bed of steamed jasmine rice or alongside a fresh green salad to balance the flavors. It pairs beautifully with Super Easy Hoisin Chicken for a larger meal. Garnish with additional orange slices and almonds for an appealing presentation, and consider serving with a light soy sauce or sesame dressing on the side.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through, or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, to avoid overcooking the chicken.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Zesty Stir-Fried Chicken contains roughly 373 calories, with 22g protein, 35g carbohydrates, and 15g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (45% of the Daily Value) and vitamin C (29% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2511mg per serving (109% 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 other types of meat for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute chicken with boneless pork or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, as tofu will need less time to heat through, while pork may require a bit longer to cook fully.
What if I don't have frozen pea pods?
If frozen pea pods are unavailable, fresh snap peas or even sliced bell peppers can work well. Just ensure they are cooked until tender-crisp to maintain their texture and flavor in the dish.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
While it's best enjoyed fresh, you can marinate the chicken a few hours in advance for enhanced flavor. However, it's recommended to stir-fry the dish just before serving to keep the ingredients vibrant and the chicken tender.
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).