Honey Nut Chicken Stir Fry: A Delicious and Easy Weeknight Meal

Are you looking for a quick, healthy, and incredibly flavorful weeknight dinner? Look no further than this Honey Nut Chicken Stir Fry! This recipe combines tender chicken pieces with a medley of colorful vegetables, all coated in a luscious honey-nut sauce. It’s sweet, savory, and utterly irresistible, perfect for satisfying your cravings and impressing your family and friends.

This stir-fry is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. You can easily customize it with your favorite vegetables, adjust the sweetness to your liking, and even add a touch of spice for an extra kick. The best part? It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

## Why You’ll Love This Honey Nut Chicken Stir Fry

* **Quick and Easy:** Ready in under 30 minutes – perfect for busy weeknights.
* **Healthy and Nutritious:** Packed with lean protein and colorful vegetables.
* **Delicious Flavor:** The sweet and savory honey-nut sauce is simply irresistible.
* **Versatile:** Easily customizable with your favorite vegetables and spices.
* **Family-Friendly:** A crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will enjoy.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start cooking, gather all your ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need for this Honey Nut Chicken Stir Fry:

* **Chicken:** 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces.
* **Vegetables:**
* 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
* 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
* 1 onion, thinly sliced
* 1 cup broccoli florets
* 1 cup sliced carrots
* 1/2 cup snow peas
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 inch ginger, grated
* **Honey Nut Sauce:**
* 1/4 cup honey
* 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
* 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 1 tablespoon sesame oil
* 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, or peanuts work well)
* **Oil:** 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or canola oil
* **Garnish:** Sesame seeds and chopped green onions (optional)
* **Serving Suggestion:** Cooked rice or noodles

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Large skillet or wok
* Cutting board
* Knife
* Mixing bowls
* Measuring cups and spoons

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you have all your ingredients and equipment ready, let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to create your delicious Honey Nut Chicken Stir Fry:

**Step 1: Prepare the Chicken**

1. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and quickly in the stir-fry.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. This will help to tenderize the chicken and create a light coating that will crisp up nicely when stir-fried. Toss to coat evenly.

**Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables**

1. Wash and prepare all the vegetables. Thinly slice the red and green bell peppers, onion, and carrots. Cut the broccoli into small florets. Trim the ends of the snow peas.
2. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger. Having all the vegetables prepped and ready to go will make the stir-frying process much smoother and faster.

**Step 3: Make the Honey Nut Sauce**

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and sesame oil. Make sure there are no lumps of cornstarch. The cornstarch helps to thicken the sauce and give it a glossy finish.
2. Stir in the chopped nuts. The nuts add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the sauce. Set the sauce aside for now.

**Step 4: Stir-Fry the Chicken**

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the chicken; this will help to sear the chicken and prevent it from sticking.
2. Add the chicken to the hot skillet and stir-fry until it’s cooked through and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. The chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

**Step 5: Stir-Fry the Vegetables**

1. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet. Add the sliced onion and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until it becomes translucent and slightly softened.
2. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and stir-fry for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic and ginger, as this can make the dish taste bitter.
3. Add the bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli florets to the skillet. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are tender-crisp. You want the vegetables to still have a bit of crunch to them.
4. Add the snow peas to the skillet and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, until they are bright green and slightly softened.

**Step 6: Combine and Simmer**

1. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables.
2. Pour the honey nut sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Stir-fry to combine, ensuring that everything is evenly coated in the sauce.
3. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly and become glossy. Stir constantly to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the skillet.

**Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!**

1. Serve the Honey Nut Chicken Stir Fry hot over cooked rice or noodles.
2. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired. These garnishes add a pop of color and flavor to the dish.
3. Enjoy your delicious and healthy Honey Nut Chicken Stir Fry!

## Tips for the Perfect Honey Nut Chicken Stir Fry

* **Use High Heat:** Stir-frying is best done over high heat to quickly cook the ingredients and create a slightly charred flavor. Make sure your skillet or wok is hot before adding the chicken and vegetables.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Pan:** Cook the chicken and vegetables in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding can lower the temperature of the pan and cause the ingredients to steam instead of stir-fry.
* **Prepare Ingredients in Advance:** Chop all the vegetables and make the sauce before you start cooking. This will make the stir-frying process much smoother and faster.
* **Adjust the Sweetness:** If you prefer a less sweet stir-fry, reduce the amount of honey in the sauce. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of spice.
* **Use Fresh Ingredients:** Using fresh, high-quality ingredients will make a big difference in the flavor of the dish. Choose vibrant, colorful vegetables and fresh chicken.
* **Marinate the Chicken:** For even more flavor, marinate the chicken in the soy sauce and cornstarch mixture for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will help to tenderize the chicken and infuse it with flavor.
* **Add a Touch of Spice:** If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce. You can also add a minced chili pepper to the stir-fry.
* **Use Different Nuts:** Feel free to experiment with different types of nuts in the sauce. Almonds, cashews, peanuts, and walnuts all work well.
* **Serve Immediately:** Stir-fries are best served immediately after cooking, as they can become soggy if left to sit for too long.

## Variations and Substitutions

This Honey Nut Chicken Stir Fry is incredibly versatile, and you can easily customize it to suit your preferences and dietary needs. Here are some variations and substitutions you can try:

* **Vegetarian Option:** Substitute the chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version. Press the tofu to remove excess water and cut it into bite-sized cubes. Stir-fry the tofu until it’s golden brown and crispy.
* **Shrimp Stir Fry:** Replace the chicken with shrimp for a seafood twist. Use peeled and deveined shrimp, and stir-fry them until they are pink and cooked through.
* **Beef Stir Fry:** Use thinly sliced beef sirloin or flank steak instead of chicken. Marinate the beef in the soy sauce and cornstarch mixture for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
* **Different Vegetables:** Feel free to use any vegetables you like in this stir-fry. Some other great options include mushrooms, zucchini, bean sprouts, and bok choy.
* **Gluten-Free Option:** Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to make this stir-fry gluten-free.
* **Lower-Carb Option:** Serve the stir-fry over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lower-carb alternative to rice or noodles.
* **Add Pineapple:** For a tropical twist, add some pineapple chunks to the stir-fry. The sweetness of the pineapple complements the savory flavors of the sauce.

## Serving Suggestions

This Honey Nut Chicken Stir Fry is delicious on its own, but it’s even better when served with some complementary side dishes. Here are a few serving suggestions:

* **Rice:** Serve the stir-fry over steamed white rice, brown rice, or jasmine rice.
* **Noodles:** Serve the stir-fry over egg noodles, rice noodles, or lo mein noodles.
* **Spring Rolls:** Serve the stir-fry with fresh spring rolls filled with rice noodles, vegetables, and herbs.
* **Egg Drop Soup:** Serve the stir-fry with a bowl of warm egg drop soup.
* **Salad:** Serve the stir-fry with a light and refreshing salad, such as a cucumber salad or a sesame ginger salad.

## Storage and Reheating Instructions

* **Storage:** Store leftover Honey Nut Chicken Stir Fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the stir-fry in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but the texture may be slightly different.

## Honey Nut Chicken Stir Fry Recipe Card

**Yields:** 4-6 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 15 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
* 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
* 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
* 1 onion, thinly sliced
* 1 cup broccoli florets
* 1 cup sliced carrots
* 1/2 cup snow peas
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 inch ginger, grated
* 1/4 cup honey
* 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
* 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 1 tablespoon sesame oil
* 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, or peanuts work well)
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or canola oil
* Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
* Cooked rice or noodles for serving

**Instructions:**

1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
2. Prepare the vegetables by slicing and dicing them as described above.
3. Make the honey nut sauce by whisking together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, cornstarch, sesame oil, and chopped nuts.
4. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
5. Add the chicken and stir-fry until cooked through and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
6. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet. Add the onion and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until translucent.
7. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for another minute, until fragrant.
8. Add the bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli florets and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes, until tender-crisp.
9. Add the snow peas and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, until bright green and slightly softened.
10. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables.
11. Pour the honey nut sauce over the chicken and vegetables and stir-fry to combine.
12. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes, until thickened and glossy. Stir constantly.
13. Serve hot over rice or noodles and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, if desired.

## Conclusion

This Honey Nut Chicken Stir Fry is a delicious, easy, and healthy meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With its sweet and savory flavors, customizable ingredients, and quick cooking time, it’s sure to become a family favorite. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your skillet, and get ready to enjoy a fantastic stir-fry that will leave you feeling satisfied and nourished! Happy cooking!