Mom's Chinese Walnut Chicken

Bring the warmth of home-cooked comfort to your table with Mom's Chinese Walnut Chicken, a perfect blend of crispy, savory, and sweet flavors that will delight your taste buds. This classic Asian-inspired dish features tender, golden-fried chicken bites coated in a rich soy, oyster, and sesame-infused sauce, delicately balanced with a hint of garlic. The star of the meal, however, is the candied walnuts—lightly caramelized to perfection for a satisfying crunch that complements the juicy chicken. With a prep time of just 20 minutes, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings. Serve it with steamed rice or noodles for a complete, restaurant-quality meal that’s sure to become a household favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast
• 0.5 cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 large egg
• 0.75 cup walnuts
• 0.25 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 green onions
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 0.25 cup water
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon white pepper

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the chicken by slicing it into bite-sized pieces. Place the chicken in a bowl and marinate with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and the egg. Mix well and let it sit for 10 minutes.

Step 2

Prepare the walnuts by bringing a small pot of water to a boil. Add the walnuts and blanch for 5 minutes. Drain and pat the walnuts dry with a paper towel.

Step 3

In a small saucepan, combine sugar, honey, and water. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to lightly caramelize. Add the walnuts and stir until fully coated. Transfer the caramelized walnuts to a parchment-lined plate and let them cool.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch with salt and white pepper. Coat the marinated chicken pieces in this mixture, making sure each piece is evenly covered.

Step 5

Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken in batches until golden brown and fully cooked, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Remove and drain on a plate lined with paper towels.

Step 6

Reduce the oil to about 2 tablespoons in the wok. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Lower the heat and stir in oyster sauce, sesame oil, and a splash of water to form a smooth sauce.

Step 7

Add the fried chicken back into the wok with the sauce. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.

Step 8

Plate the chicken and garnish with the caramelized walnuts and sliced green onions. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1043.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2869.5

Total Fat 201.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 28.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 119.8g
Cholesterol 609.6mg	0%
Sodium 4819.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 137.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.1g	0%
Total Sugars 88.0g
Protein 152.2g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 244.1mg	0%
Iron 7.3mg	0%
Potassium 2064.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.1%

Protein: 20.5%

Carbs: 18.4%