Description
Almond chicken brings together tender chicken pieces coated in a crispy, nutty breading that will make your dinner feel special. Baked to golden perfection, this classic dish delivers satisfying flavor with minimal effort in your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups chicken breast, diced
- ¼ cup toasted almonds
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Accompaniments:
- 1 cup optional vegetables (bell peppers, snow peas)
- 2 cups rice or noodles (for serving)
Instructions
- Dice 2 cups of chicken breast into uniform bite-sized pieces. Season the chunks with a light sprinkle of salt and black pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F. Cook the chicken pieces for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally until they turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean plate. In the same skillet, add ¼ cup of almonds and toast them for 2-3 minutes at medium heat until they become fragrant and light golden.
- Reduce the skillet heat to medium-low. Add 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon minced ginger to the pan.
- Whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water in a separate small bowl. Pour this slurry into the simmering sauce and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Return the chicken to the skillet. Gently coat each piece with the sauce, allowing it to simmer for an additional 2 minutes.
- Fold in 1 cup of optional chopped vegetables like bell peppers or snow peas. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until vegetables are slightly tender.
- Serve the almond chicken immediately over 2 cups of hot steamed rice or noodles. Sprinkle the remaining toasted almonds on top for extra crunch.
Notes
- Toast almonds carefully to prevent burning, watching them closely and stirring frequently to achieve a perfect golden color.
- Select chicken breasts or thighs with similar thickness to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Make the cornstarch slurry separately and add slowly to control sauce thickness, preventing lumps and achieving a smooth consistency.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular soy sauce with tamari and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 455 kcal
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg