I love any type of takeout food, but knowing that it’s not great for health – or the wallet – means I don’t indulge in it often. So lately, I’ve been on a quest to try to recreate healthier versions of some of my favorite takeout foods. This healthy chicken stir fry is a fantastic ‘fakeout takeout’ recipe!
Now, if it were up to the hubby, we would probably be making the hour long trek to Quan’s, his favorite Chinese food place in his hometown, every week. He looooves that place. But I’d like to think I can create at least somewhat comparable, better-for-you alternatives.
I actually made up this recipe with the goal of it being a healthy sesame chicken recipe. But I think the addition of the tomato paste and the rice vinegar to the sauce, plus the veggies (broccoli and bell pepper), made it more like a healthy chicken stir fry recipe instead. Either way, both my husband and I thought it was delicious.
Why is this healthy chicken stir fry better than the takeout versions?
- Broccoli and bell pepper add important vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and fiber to this meal.
- Using brown rice rather than white rice gives you a less processed grain with more fiber.
- I still use some added sugar (honey) in this recipe, but far less than many traditional takeout versions.
- The sauce uses lower sodium soy sauce – a better choice than traditional soy sauce to cut down on salt content.
- The chicken is only lightly sautéed in minimal oil – cutting down on added fat and calories compared to deep fried versions.
Give this recipe a try today and let me know what you think!
This healthy chicken stir fry recipe is a perfect option when you’re craving takeout but want something better for your health – and budget!
- 1 cup instant brown rice (dry)
- 1 tbsp + 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 cups broccoli (chopped florets)
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp corn starch
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup lower sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 1/2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
Prepare 1 cup instant brown rice according to package directions.
Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet. Add broccoli and bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove from pan and set aside in a bowl.
Whisk together eggs and corn starch in a bowl. The mixture should be somewhat thick.
Season chicken with pepper (I skipped seasoning with any salt, since you’ll get plenty in the soy sauce mixture), then dredge in egg mixture. [There will be some egg mixture leftover; toss whatever is left.]
Heat remaining 2 tbsp sesame oil in skillet. Add chicken and cook until browned and fully cooked, approximately 5 to 8 minutes.
While chicken is cooking, prepare sauce in another bowl: mix together honey, soy sauce, garlic, sesame seeds, tomato paste, and rice wine vinegar.
When chicken is fully cooked, add sauce. Cook for a minute or two until heated through and thickened. Toss with cooked vegetables.
Serve chicken and vegetables over brown rice, and garnish with green onions.
Approximate nutrition analysis (per serving):
504 calories, 16 g fat (3 g sat fat), 670 mg sodium, 57 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 33 g protein, Vitamin A: 15%, Vitamin C: 117%, Calcium: 11%, Iron: 19%; Potassium: 20%, B6: 45%, Vitamin K: 93%
Share with me: What’s your favorite kind of takeout? Do you ever try to cook and recreate your takeout recipes at home? Do you think you’d enjoy this healthy chicken stir fry?
Chrissy Carroll
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Tricia Wehner says
February 16, 2015 at 11:18 amI make stir fry on occasion at home. I think I will try this recipe tonight !
Chrissy Carroll says
February 16, 2015 at 12:51 pmI hope you like it!
Stacy T. says
February 16, 2015 at 11:54 amThat looks delicious. I love anything chicken!
Chrissy Carroll says
February 16, 2015 at 12:52 pmMe too – we eat a lot of chicken at our house 🙂
Jamie says
February 16, 2015 at 11:58 amYUM!! That looks good and easy to make, two of my favorite things!! 🙂 Pinning it!
Chrissy Carroll says
February 16, 2015 at 12:52 pmAwesome – and yes, I am all about anything that is easy, quick, and healthy! 🙂
Amy G says
February 16, 2015 at 12:09 pmYummy! That looks really good!
Chrissy Carroll says
February 16, 2015 at 12:53 pmHope you enjoy it when you get a chance to make it Amy!
Molly says
February 16, 2015 at 12:34 pmOmg, so yummy! I’m pinning now. I also think I have all the ingredients in my pantry right now except the rice wine vinegar. Do you know if there’s another type that would serve as a substitute? Looks so good, thanks for sharing!
Chrissy Carroll says
February 16, 2015 at 12:54 pmGreat question. I think you could either use apple cider vinegar (especially with honey in the sauce, I’m thinking this would work) – or even just leave it out completely.
Olivia Douglass says
February 16, 2015 at 2:21 pmYUM!! Thank you for sharing. We eat a lot of chicken so I am always looking for new recipes to try.
Courtney says
February 16, 2015 at 10:03 pmYum! This looks SO delicious. i love me some stir-fry.
Pr says
February 19, 2015 at 2:32 pmthis sounds delicious! I would sub out the chicken for tofu but I think flavors would still be super yummy!! Thanks for sharing.