Chinese Almond Chicken Recipe

Chicken breast: Cut into bite-sized pieces, this is the main protein of the dish.

Toasted almonds: Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.

Soy sauce: Provides a salty, umami flavor.

Oyster sauce: Adds a rich, savory depth to the dish.

Cornstarch: Mixed with water to thicken the sauce.

Garlic: Minced to add a pungent, aromatic flavor.

Ginger: Minced to add a warm, spicy note.

Vegetable oil: Used for stir-frying the ingredients.

Chicken broth: Adds moisture and enhances the savory flavor.

Green onions: Chopped to add a fresh, mild onion flavor.

When stir-frying the chicken, make sure to cut it into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Additionally, toast the almonds beforehand to enhance their flavor and add a delightful crunch to the dish.

• chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and can be used in the same way as chicken breast.

• toasted almonds - Substitute with cashews: Cashews provide a similar crunch and a slightly sweet flavor that complements the dish well.

• soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce with a similar umami flavor.

• oyster sauce - Substitute with hoisin sauce: Hoisin sauce has a similar thick consistency and a sweet-salty flavor profile.

• cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is a great thickening agent and works similarly to cornstarch.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a mild garlic flavor and can be used as a substitute in many recipes.

• ginger - Substitute with galangal: Galangal has a similar spicy and aromatic flavor, making it a good substitute for ginger.

• vegetable oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it a suitable alternative.

• chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth provides a similar depth of flavor and is a good vegetarian option.

• green onions - Substitute with chives: Chives have a similar mild onion flavor and can be used as a garnish or in cooking.

• Allow the chicken to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• Transfer the Chinese almond chicken to an airtight container. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the dish within 3-4 days. This keeps the chicken and vegetables fresh and safe to eat.
• For longer storage, place the airtight container in the freezer. The Chinese almond chicken can be frozen for up to 2-3 months without losing its flavor and texture.
• When ready to reheat, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. This ensures even reheating and maintains the quality of the dish.
• Reheat the Chinese almond chicken in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent drying out and to revive the sauce's consistency.
• Alternatively, microwave the dish in a microwave-safe container. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or wrap to retain moisture. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until thoroughly heated.
• Avoid reheating the Chinese almond chicken multiple times. This can affect the texture and flavor of the chicken and almonds.
• Serve the reheated Chinese almond chicken with freshly steamed rice to enjoy a meal that tastes as good as freshly made.

• For the stovetop method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to the skillet.
  3. Add the leftover Chinese Almond Chicken to the skillet.
  4. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating, cooking for about 5-7 minutes until the chicken is heated through.
  5. Add a bit more soy sauce or oyster sauce if needed to refresh the flavors.

• For the microwave method:

  1. Place the Chinese Almond Chicken in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Add a tablespoon of water or chicken broth to keep it moist.
  3. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent.
  4. Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  5. Check if the chicken is heated through; if not, continue to microwave in 30-second intervals.

• For the oven method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the Chinese Almond Chicken in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Add a bit of chicken broth or water to the dish to prevent drying out.
  4. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
  5. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly heated.
  6. Stir halfway through to ensure even heating.

• For the air fryer method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the Chinese Almond Chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Check if the chicken is heated through; if not, continue to heat in 2-minute intervals.

• Wok: A large, round-bottomed cooking vessel ideal for stir-frying and ensuring even heat distribution.

• Vegetable peeler: Useful for peeling the ginger before mincing.

• Chef's knife: Essential for cutting the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and chopping green onions.

• Cutting board: A sturdy surface for safely cutting and preparing ingredients.

• Measuring cups: Necessary for accurately measuring the chicken broth and toasted almonds.

• Measuring spoons: Used for measuring the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch.

• Mixing bowl: Handy for mixing the cornstarch with water to create a slurry.

• Garlic press: Convenient for mincing garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.

• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients in the wok without scratching its surface.

• Spatula: Useful for flipping and stirring the chicken pieces to ensure even cooking.

• Serving dish: A dish to present the finished almond chicken attractively.

• Rice cooker: Optional but helpful for preparing steamed rice to serve with the dish.

Prep ingredients ahead: Chop the chicken breast, green onions, and mince the garlic and ginger in advance to streamline cooking.

Use pre-toasted almonds: Save time by purchasing toasted almonds instead of toasting them yourself.

Make the sauce first: Mix the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and chicken broth before starting to cook.

Quick cornstarch mix: Prepare the cornstarch mixture with water ahead of time for easy addition.

High heat cooking: Use high heat to quickly stir-fry the chicken and vegetables, reducing overall cooking time.