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A popular Chinese dish, this Honey Walnut Chicken comes together easily in a few simple steps. Crispy, deep-fried chicken tossed with crunchy walnuts and then coated in a delicious honey sauce. The sweet and savory flavor profile makes this dish an irresistible favorite.
If you’ve ever had honey walnut shrimp, then you’ll know how addictive it is. Everyone will want seconds and you’ll want to make this every week! All you need are a few simple ingredients and you’ll have this recipe ready in no time.
If you want another Asian-inspired take-out recipe at home, you need to try my Crispy Honey Chicken, Sweet and Spicy Chicken, and Chinese Lemon Chicken.
Why You’ll Love This Walnut Chicken Recipe
- Unique Flavor Combination: The pairing of sweet honey with crunchy walnuts and savory chicken creates a unique and memorable dish that will wow your taste buds.
- Restaurant-Quality at Home: Enjoy the flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout from the comfort of your home, with a recipe that’s easy to follow and just as satisfying.
- Quick and Easy: Despite its gourmet taste, this dish comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute entertaining.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether for a family dinner or a gathering with friends, this dish is sure to impress with its beautiful presentation and delicious taste.
Honey Walnut Chicken Ingredients
- Walnuts: Get walnut halves for this honey walnut chicken.
- Chicken: you can use any kind of boneless chicken cut but I like chicken tenderloins.
- Seasoning: You will season the chicken with onion powder, chili powder, salt, coriander and pepper.
- Cornstarch: To get that crispy coating on the chicken, coat them in cornstarch before frying.
- Vegetable oil: You need a high-smoke point oil to fry the shrimp in.
- Honey: To sweeten the sauce.
- Soy Sauce: Adds color and flavor to the dish.
- Rice Vinegar: Gives the sauce a nice kick.
- Scallions: Chopped for garnish.
- Flour: to coat the chicken and give it a crispy layer.
- Buttermilk: Helps tenderize the chicken.
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
- Chicken: You can use chicken breast or chicken thighs depending on your preference. Thighs tend to be juicier, while breast meat is leaner.
- Honey: For a different flavor profile, you can substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Walnuts: If you’re allergic to walnuts or prefer a different nut, try using pecans or almonds.
- Batter: For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch in place of regular flour. You can also try a lighter batter by using egg whites instead of whole eggs.
How To Make Honey Walnut Chicken
Step 1: In a medium bowl with flour add the spices; red chili powder, coriander, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix it until well combined.
Step 2: Dredge the chicken into the flour mixture first and then dip it into the buttermilk and then back into the flour mixture pressing to coat evenly.
Step 3: Repeat the same with the remaining chicken pieces and keep them on a plate.
Step 4: Deep fry the chicken in batches until golden. Drain the excess oil in a kitchen towel and set the chicken aside in a bowl.
Step 5: Prepare the sauce by combining the sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Allow the sauce to simmer for 4-5 minutes until thickens.
Step 6: Pour the sauce over the crispy chicken along with the walnuts and toss it well until the sauce is evenly coated.
Step 7: Garnish the crispy honey walnut chicken with sesame seeds and chives and serve.
Tips To Perfect This Recipe
- Serve Immediately: Honey Walnut Chicken is best served immediately after cooking to maintain the crispy texture of the chicken.
- Double-Fry for Extra Crispiness: For the crispiest chicken, try double-frying the chicken pieces. Fry them once at a lower temperature to cook through, then increase the heat for a quick second fry to crisp up the coating.
- Use Fresh Oil: When frying, use fresh oil for the best flavor and to avoid any unwanted taste from reused oil.
- Toast the Walnuts: Toast the walnuts before adding them to the dish for an enhanced nutty flavor. Be careful not to burn them; a light toasting brings out their natural oils and adds depth to the dish.
- Balance the Sauce: If the honey sauce is too sweet for your taste, balance it out with a splash of soy sauce.
What to Serve with Honey Walnut Chicken
- Steamed Jasmine Rice: The subtle flavor of jasmine rice complements the sweet and savory notes of the chicken without overpowering it.
- Garlic Stir-Fried Vegetables: Broccoli, bok choy, or green beans stir-fried with garlic make a great side dish, adding a healthy and flavorful balance.
- Fried Rice: For a more filling meal, serve with Chinese Vegetable Fried Rice.
- Garlic Noodles: These noodles, tossed in a savory garlic sauce, provide a perfect base for soaking up the honey sauce from the chicken. Try it with my Chili Garlic Oil Noodles
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can prepare the components in advance, but for the best texture, fry the chicken and toss it in the sauce just before serving.
You can make this recipe with shrimp instead of chicken. These 2 proteins work best for this recipe. If you’d like a vegetarian version, you can use cauliflower or tofu instead.
Yes, you can bake the chicken at 400°F for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. However, the chicken may not be as crispy as when fried.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to regain some of the crispiness
More Asian Recipes
- Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry
- Chinese Szechuan Chili Chicken
- Easy Mongolian Chicken
- Best Gochujang Chicken Bites
- Honey Chilli Chicken
Honey Walnut Chickenrecipe is a must-try recipe that combines the best of sweet, savory, and crunchy in one irresistible dish. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this experience will be unforgettable. Customize it with your favorite ingredients and serve it with a simple side for a complete meal that everyone will love.
If you try this recipe and like it, please leave a star rating and comment below. Also, follow me at Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK |INSTAGRAM |PINTEREST for all of my latest social posts and recipes.
Honey Walnut Chicken
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ½ lb chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil, to fry
Sauce
- ½ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch , + 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 cup walnuts, toasted
Garnishing
- Sesame seeds, to garnish
- Chives, to garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl with flour add the spices; red chili powder, coriander, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix it until well combined.
- Dredge the chicken into the flour mixture first and then dip it into the buttermilk and then back into the flour mixture pressing to coat evenly.
- Repeat the same with the remaining chicken pieces and keep them on a plate.
- Deep fry the chicken in batches until golden. Drain the excess oil in a kitchen towel and set the chicken aside in a bowl.
- Prepare the sauce by combining the sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Allow the sauce to simmer for 4-5 minutes until thickens.
- Pour the sauce over the crispy chicken along with the walnuts and toss it well until the sauce is evenly coated.
- Garnish the crispy honey walnut chicken with sesame seeds and chives and serve.
Notes
-
- Serve Immediately: Honey Walnut Chicken is best served immediately after cooking to maintain the crispy texture of the chicken.
- Double-Fry for Extra Crispiness: For the crispiest chicken, try double-frying the chicken pieces.
- Use Fresh Oil: When frying, use fresh oil for the best flavor and to avoid any unwanted taste from reused oil.
- Toast the Walnuts: Toast the walnuts before adding them to the dish for an enhanced nutty flavor.
Would you be able to air fry this? If so, how do I go about it? Thanks!
Yes you can. Preheat the air fryer to 380 F for about 5 minutes. The chicken should take between 12-15 minutes depending on the size you cut them. Try to cut them evenly so they cook together. Internal temp should be at 165F. And continue cooking as directed after that.
Super delicious! Great texture and mix of flavors!
Thanks for leaving a review Sadie!