Walnut Chicken Recipe

Experience the vibrant flavors of Peking cuisine with this quick and easy Walnut Chicken (or Shrimp!) Stir-Fry recipe! Inspired by Helen Chen's classic, this recipe delivers a delicious and satisfying meal in under 30 minutes. Tender chicken or succulent shrimp are tossed in a savory sauce with crunchy walnuts and fragrant sesame oil. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Calories 887 kcal

Protein 123g

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The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Walnut Chicken

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
Rice Wine
Fresh Ginger
Cornstarch
Hoisin Sauce
Sugar
Dark Soy Sauce
Water
Vegetable Oil
Garlic Cloves
Walnut Halves
½ tsp sesame oil (plus extra for garnish, optional)

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How to Make Walnut Chicken

Marinate chicken (or shrimp): In a bowl, combine 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces) or 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined) with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tsp cornstarch, and ½ tsp ginger (minced). Mix well and marinate for 10 minutes.
Prepare the sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp cornstarch, and ½ tsp sesame oil.
Heat the wok: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
Sauté garlic: Add 2 cloves garlic (minced) and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cook the protein: Add the marinated chicken (or shrimp) to the wok and stir-fry until 80% cooked (about 5-7 minutes).
Add the sauce: Reduce heat to medium, pour in the sauce, and stir-fry for 1 minute until thickened.
Incorporate walnuts: Add ½ cup walnut pieces and stir-fry for another minute.
Finish and serve: Remove from heat and drizzle with an extra ½ tsp sesame oil. Serve immediately over steamed rice with your favorite vegetables. Garnish with chopped green onions (optional).

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

58 g

Sugar

31g

Fat

38g

Carbs

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Poultry Chicken Recipes Seafood Shrimp Recipes Asian Chinese Healthy 30 Minutes Or Less

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Walnut Chicken?

Walnut Chicken takes about 35 minutes from start to finish — roughly 15 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Walnut Chicken?

Walnut Chicken has approximately 887 calories per serving, with about 123 g protein, 6 g carbohydrates and 98 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Walnut Chicken?

The key ingredients for Walnut Chicken are Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, Rice Wine, Fresh Ginger, Cornstarch, Hoisin Sauce, Sugar. See the full list with measurements above.