You can use chopped chicken to make all sorts of dishes, like salads, stir-fries, casseroles, soups, and more. It’s a great way to get your protein in, and you can spice it up with different flavors using various spices and sauces.
(There are more related chopped chicken recipes at the end of the article.)
One of the things you can whip up with some chopped chicken is honey garlic chicken. It’s a super quick and easy recipe that’s bursting with flavor and gluten-free. Plus, it only takes 30 minutes to make and pairs perfectly with steamed rice or brown rice.
I hope you like this dish. It’s one of my go-to favorites for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients:
1/2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, chopped into bite-sized pieces
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons of olive oil
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/3 cup of honey
1/4 cup of soy sauce
1/4 cup of water
2 teaspoons of cornstarch
2 tablespoons of chopped parsley, for garnish
Cooking:
1. Season the chicken pieces with some salt and pepper to give them some flavor and help them brown nicely.
2. Heat the olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high heat. Olive oil is a healthy and versatile option that can handle high temperatures. Make sure it’s hot but not smoking before adding the chicken.
3. Throw in the chicken and cook for around 15 minutes, flipping occasionally, until it’s golden and fully cooked. You want a nice crispy coating on the outside without burning it. Use a meat thermometer to check if it’s done – it should reach 165°F at its thickest part.
4. Move the chicken onto a plate and keep it warm by covering it with foil or a lid to retain its heat, which will also let it rest and hold onto its juices.
5. In the same skillet, turn down the heat to medium-low. Throw in the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring often, until it smells amazing. Garlic is super important in this dish because it gives it so much flavor and aroma. Just be careful not to burn it, or else it’ll taste bitter and mess up the whole thing.
6. Toss in the honey, soy sauce, water, and cornstarch, then mix it all. This is the sauce that’s gonna make the chicken taste incredible. The honey adds sweetness, soy sauce brings saltiness and umami, water thins out the sauce so it can simmer nicely, and cornstarch thickens everything up and makes it shiny.
7. Let the sauce come to a boil first before turning down the heat to let it simmer for about 10 minutes or until slightly thickened while stirring now and then. You want the sauce to be thick enough to coat the chicken but not so sticky that you can’t eat it easily. If needed, you can adjust how thick or thin it is by adding more water or cornstarch as necessary.
8. Put the chicken back in the pan and mix it with the sauce until every piece is well coated. You can also spoon some extra sauce over the chicken if you want.
9. Sprinkle on some parsley and serve it with rice. The parsley adds a fresh, herby flavor and a pop of color to the dish. Rice goes well with this meal because it soaks up the sauce and balances out the sweetness. You can use white rice, brown rice, or whatever type you like best.
That’s it! We whipped up some honey garlic chicken with chopped chicken. It’s a super easy and tasty dish that we can throw together in just 30 minutes.
Time and Temperature:
The total time to make this dish is about 30 minutes, including preparing the ingredients, cooking the chicken, making the sauce, and serving. You can save time by pre-chopping the chicken and garlic and using pre-cooked rice.
The cooking temperature varies at different stages – use medium-high heat for browning the chicken quickly and evenly, medium-low heat for cooking the garlic and sauce without burning or boiling over, and low heat to simmer the sauce and coat the chicken without drying out or becoming too thick.
The Nutritional Value:
| Calories 465 | Protein 40 g | Carbs 46 g | Fat 14 g | Fiber 1 g | Sugar 28 g |
As you can see, this dish is packed with calories, protein, and sugar, and has a decent amount of carbs and fat. It’s lacking in fiber, which is important for digestion and feeling full.
Therefore it’s best to enjoy this dish in moderation and pair it with some high-fiber foods like fruits, veggies, or whole grains. You can also cut back on the honey and soy sauce in the recipe or use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce the sugar and salt content.
The origin of this dish:
Honey garlic chicken with chopped chicken is originally from Chinese cuisine, but it’s been embraced and made popular by lots of other cultures and regions. It’s a go-to dish in North America, especially in Canada and the United States, where you can find it at Chinese restaurants and takeout spots. It’s also a hit in Australia, New Zealand, and some parts of Europe and Asia.
Here are some more tasty recipes for chopped chicken that you can give a try:
Thai Cashew Chicken: This dish is bursting with flavor from juicy chicken, crispy cashews, and a deliciously sweet and spicy Thai sauce. Pair it with some rice for a truly satisfying meal.
Chopped Piccata Chicken and Mashed Potatoes: This dish is a fun take on the traditional chicken piccata, with small pieces of chicken in a tangy lemon and caper sauce. It’s served over creamy mashed potatoes for a cozy and satisfying meal.
Chicken Salad: This salad is a light and refreshing dish that you can whip up using leftover chicken. It’s got chicken, mayo, celery, grapes, almonds, and herbs. You can slap it on some bread, toss it with lettuce or crackers, or just dig in as is.
Chicken Pot Pie: This pot pie is a cozy and comforting dish that’s super easy to make with basic ingredients. The filling has chicken, creamy soup, and colorful veggies, all topped with a flaky crust. It’s a satisfying and family-friendly meal that’ll make you feel warm and happy inside.
Chicken Alfredo: This dish is a rich and indulgent pasta with chicken, fettuccine, butter, cream, cheese, and garlic that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. It’s so creamy and decadent that it’ll make you feel like you’re dining out at a fancy restaurant.
Chicken Curry: This dish is a flavorful and spicy mix of coconut milk, curry paste, and various spices. It’s got chicken, potatoes, carrots, and peas all simmered until tender and delicious. Serve it with rice or naan bread for a tasty meal.
Chicken Tacos: These tacos are a super fun and easy dish that you can customize with all your favorite toppings. They’ve got chicken, taco seasoning, salsa, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and tortillas. You can also throw in some sour cream, guacamole, cilantro, or whatever else you’re into. They’re perfect for a quick and delicious dinner.
Chicken Parmesan: This dish is a deliciously cheesy and crispy chicken bake, topped with breadcrumbs, cheese, and marinara sauce. It’s baked until golden and gooey, and it’s perfectly served with spaghetti or your favorite pasta. It’s a timeless Italian classic that everyone will love.
Chicken and Waffles: This dish is a tasty combination of fried chicken, waffles, butter, and maple syrup. It’s a popular Southern dish for breakfast or brunch, but you can enjoy it anytime. It’s truly delicious and will put a smile on your face.
I hope these chopped chicken recipes are helpful and delicious for you. Thanks for choosing me as your recipe assistant!