Elevate your weeknight dinners with this delicious and nutritious Savory Almond Chicken Stir-Fry. Packed with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a delightful crunch from almonds, this dish is both satisfying and easy to prepare. The combination of flavorful stir-fried ingredients and a rich, savory sauce creates a meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting friends, this stir-fry is sure to impress.
Ingredients:
For the Stir-Fry:
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1/2 cup blanched almonds, halved or slivered
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Sauce:
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables:
- Begin by prepping your ingredients. Dice the onion, slice the zucchini, mushrooms, and green bell pepper, and cut the chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces. Mince the garlic and ginger. Set everything aside.
- Cook the Chicken:
- In a large skillet or wok, warm 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is heated and begins to shimmer, carefully add the chicken pieces.
- Lightly season with salt and pepper.
- Stir-fry the chicken for 5-7 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and fully cooked.
- Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
- Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil into the skillet you just used.
- Add the diced onion, sliced zucchini, mushrooms, and green bell pepper. Stir-fry the vegetables for about 4-5 minutes, until they start to soften and develop some color.
- Add Garlic, Ginger, and Almonds:
- Add the minced garlic, ginger, and blanched almonds to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes, allowing the garlic and ginger to become fragrant and the almonds to toast slightly.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- While the vegetables are cooking, whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Ensure that the cornstarch is fully dissolved to avoid lumps.
- Combine and Thicken:
- Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet with the vegetables. Drizzle the prepared sauce over the chicken and veggies, stirring to combine. Let the sauce come to a gentle simmer, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until it thickens and evenly coats the chicken and vegetables.
- Serve:
- Once the sauce has thickened, remove the stir-fry from the heat. Serve your Savory Almond Chicken Stir-Fry hot over steamed rice, noodles, or enjoy it on its own as a low-carb meal.
Conclusion:
This Savory Almond Chicken Stir-Fry is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can come together to create a flavorful and satisfying dish. The tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and crunchy almonds, all enveloped in a rich and savory sauce, make this stir-fry a standout choice for any dinner table. Easy to prepare and packed with flavor, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Enjoy this delightful dish with your loved ones, and savor the taste of homemade goodness!