Honey Walnut Chicken – This dish balances both sweet and savory flavors with crispy fried chicken, richness of honey and the satisfying crunch of caramelized walnuts.
What Is Honey Walnut Chicken?
Honey Walnut Chicken is a popular dish often found in Chinese restaurants. The main components are crispy, battered chicken, which is tossed in a sweet and creamy honey sauce, and caramelized walnuts, which add a crunchy texture and a rich, nutty flavor. The dish is often served with steamed rice or vegetables, making it a well-rounded and delicious meal.
What Makes Honey Walnut Chicken So Special?
- Contrast of Textures: The crispiness of the fried chicken contrasts beautifully with the soft, sticky honey glaze and the crunchy walnuts.
- Balance of Flavors: The sweet honey pairs perfectly with the slightly savory fried chicken, while the walnuts provide a hint of bitterness that rounds out the dish.
- Customizable: You can adapt this dish to your taste, adding or removing ingredients as desired, making it suitable for various dietary preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients that make Honey Walnut Chicken so delicious:
- Chicken: Typically, chicken breast is used, but you can substitute it with thigh meat for more juiciness.
- Walnuts: These are lightly caramelized in sugar for an added layer of sweetness and crunch.
- Honey: The star ingredient of the sauce. Look for high-quality, organic honey if possible.
- Mayonnaise: Used to give the sauce its signature creaminess. Don’t worry—its flavor doesn’t overpower the dish.
- Condensed Milk: Adds a rich, sweet depth to the sauce.
- Cornstarch: Essential for getting the perfect crispy coating on the chicken.
- Eggs: Used to bind the cornstarch to the chicken, ensuring a golden, crispy finish.
- Vegetable Oil: For frying the chicken.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Honey Walnut Chicken
- Double Fry for Extra Crispiness: If you like extra crispy chicken, consider double-frying the chicken pieces. Fry them once, let them cool slightly, and then fry again for another 1-2 minutes.
- Choose Quality Walnuts: While any walnuts will do, opting for fresh, high-quality walnuts ensures a richer flavor and crunch.
- Don’t Skip the Condensed Milk: It might seem like a small addition, but the condensed milk adds a smooth, sweet texture that balances the dish perfectly.
- Control the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet dish, reduce the amount of honey or condensed milk in the sauce.
- Fry at the Right Temperature: To get perfectly crispy chicken, make sure your oil is at the right temperature (around 350°F or 175°C). Frying at too low a temperature can result in soggy chicken.
Variations of Honey Walnut Chicken
- Healthier Baked Version: For a lighter take on this recipe, bake the chicken instead of frying. Coat the chicken in cornstarch and egg, then place it on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Vegetarian Version: Swap out the chicken for crispy fried tofu or cauliflower florets. The tofu or cauliflower can be prepared in the same way as the chicken, ensuring they still have that golden, crispy coating.
- Spicy Honey Walnut Chicken: Add some heat to the sauce by incorporating Sriracha or chili flakes. The sweet and spicy contrast makes for a mouthwatering twist on the traditional recipe.
How to Serve Honey Walnut Chicken
Honey Walnut Chicken is best served immediately after tossing the chicken in the sauce, as this ensures maximum crispiness. Here are some popular ways to serve it:
- Over Rice: The classic option. Steamed jasmine or white rice pairs perfectly with the rich sauce.
- With Noodles: Try serving this dish with chow mein noodles or lo mein for a satisfying alternative to rice.
- On a Salad: For a lighter option, serve Honey Walnut Chicken on a bed of crisp greens with a light vinaigrette.
How to Store Honey Walnut Chicken
Got leftovers? No problem!
- Refrigeration: Store the cooked chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The chicken will last up to 3 days, while the sauce can last 5-7 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, avoid using the microwave as it can make the chicken soggy. Instead, reheat the chicken in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until crispy. Warm the sauce in a small saucepan and toss them together just before serving.
- Freezing: While you can freeze the chicken, the texture may change after reheating. If you plan to freeze, do so before adding the sauce, and freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge, reheat in the oven, and then coat with fresh sauce.
Recipe FAQs
Q: Can I make Honey Walnut Chicken ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can fry the chicken and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just reheat in the oven before tossing in the sauce. The walnuts can also be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Q: Can I use a different type of nut?
A: Absolutely! If you don’t have walnuts on hand or prefer a different flavor, you can use pecans or almonds instead.
Q: Is this dish gluten-free?
A: The recipe can easily be made gluten-free by substituting cornstarch for any flour-based coating and using a gluten-free mayonnaise.
Q: Can I make the sauce less sweet?
A: If the sauce is too sweet for your liking, try reducing the amount of condensed milk or honey, and add a splash of soy sauce for balance.
Honey Walnut Chicken
Honey Walnut Chicken - This dish balances both sweet and savory flavors with crispy fried chicken, richness of honey and the satisfying crunch of caramelized walnuts.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ lb chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons water
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 cup walnuts, toasted
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (for thickening)
For Garnishing:
- Chives, chopped
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a medium bowl, mix the flour with red chili powder, coriander, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge the chicken cubes in the flour mixture, then dip them into buttermilk, and back into the flour, pressing to ensure an even coating.
- Fry: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan. Fry the chicken in batches until crispy and golden brown. Drain the excess oil on paper towels.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, water, honey, rice wine vinegar, and sesame oil. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, then add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) to thicken.
- Combine: Pour the sauce over the fried chicken, toss in the toasted walnuts, and mix everything until the chicken is well coated.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped chives and sesame seeds. Serve immediately for maximum crunch!
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 818Total Fat 32gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 25gCholesterol 147mgSodium 1188mgCarbohydrates 70gFiber 4gSugar 39gProtein 65g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Honey Walnut Chicken is a dish that hits all the right notes—sweet, savory, crispy, and creamy. It’s perfect for special dinners, but it’s also easy enough to whip up on a weeknight. Whether you’re a fan of classic Chinese-American cuisine or just love experimenting with new flavors, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Enjoy!
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