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Irresistible Keto Honey Walnut Chicken Stir Fry: Your Favorite Sugar-Free Panda Express Copycat!

Craving the sweet and savory delight of Panda Express’s Honey Walnut Chicken but sticking to your keto lifestyle? Look no further! This incredible recipe for Keto Honey Walnut Chicken Stir Fry is meticulously crafted to be both keto-friendly and completely sugar-free, delivering all the iconic flavors you love without compromising your dietary goals. Prepare to amaze your taste buds with this healthy, low-carb rendition that tastes just like the restaurant original, if not better!

Are Walnuts Keto-Friendly? Unlocking Their Nutritional Power

One of the star ingredients in this dish is, of course, walnuts. A common question among those new to a ketogenic diet is: are walnuts keto? The excellent news is, absolutely! Walnuts are not just a delicious addition to your meals; they are a nutritional powerhouse perfectly suited for a low-carb, high-fat diet.

These versatile nuts are a fantastic source of plant-based protein, offering approximately 4 grams of protein per ounce. This makes them a satisfying component that contributes to satiety and muscle maintenance. Even better for keto enthusiasts, walnuts are remarkably low in net carbs. A single ounce of walnuts contains less than 2 grams of net carbs (specifically, about 1.98g), making them an ideal snack or ingredient that won’t disrupt your state of ketosis.

Beyond their keto-friendly macros, walnuts boast an impressive profile of healthy fats, including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid crucial for heart health and reducing inflammation. They are also packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals like copper, magnesium, and manganese. Incorporating walnuts into your keto diet can offer numerous health benefits while adding a delightful crunch and rich flavor to dishes. This is why they’ve been a go-to ingredient in my other keto creations, from keto strawberry chocolate bark to easy keto fudge – their unique taste and texture truly elevate any recipe.

Recreating the Magic: Keto Walnut Chicken, Panda Express Style

If you’re a fan of the Honey Walnut Shrimp from Panda Express, you’re already familiar with the irresistible combination of sweet, crunchy, and savory flavors that make it such a popular dish. Our goal with this recipe was to capture that same iconic flavor profile, but with a keto twist and using chicken instead of shrimp. The result is truly remarkable – a succulent chicken stir fry coated in a luscious, sticky, sugar-free “honey” sauce, adorned with perfectly candied walnuts.

This dish is designed to be wonderfully sweet, mirroring the original Panda Express experience. To achieve this, we utilize a thoughtful blend of three different types of sugar substitutes. This multi-sweetener approach is key, as each plays a specific role in developing the complex sweetness and, crucially, the thick, sticky texture that makes the sauce so authentic. While the sweetness is a hallmark of this recipe, if you prefer a less intensely sweet flavor, you can certainly adjust the amount of granulated sugar substitute to your liking. However, the sugar-free honey and confectioner’s sugar substitute are particularly vital for achieving that signature thick and clinging sauce characteristic of the classic Honey Walnut Chicken.

Crafting the Perfect Walnut Chicken Stir Fry: Tips and Techniques

Preparing this stir fry is surprisingly straightforward, yet a few key techniques will ensure a perfect result every time. The foundation of our dish is tender, flavorful chicken, complemented by the irresistible candied walnuts and a rich, sweet sauce.

Choosing and Preparing Your Chicken

For this recipe, we recommend boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces. The key is to cut the chicken pieces relatively thin and uniform. Thinner pieces cook more quickly and evenly, preventing them from drying out while ensuring they are perfectly coated in the sauce. Alternatively, if you prefer a richer flavor and slightly different texture, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can also be used. They tend to stay more moist during cooking.

For those days when time is of the essence, here’s a fantastic shortcut: use pre-cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken. Simply prepare the sauce and candied walnuts as instructed, then toss the shredded chicken with the sauce to warm through. This dramatically speeds up the meal prep and makes this recipe an ideal candidate for busy weeknights.

The Magic of Candied Walnuts

The candied walnuts are not just a garnish; they are an integral part of the dish’s texture and flavor profile. The process of briefly boiling them in a sugar-substitute solution creates a delightful sweetness and a slight crispness that contrasts beautifully with the tender chicken and creamy sauce. Ensure you drain and dry the walnuts thoroughly after boiling to allow them to candy properly and avoid making the dish watery.

Cooking the Stir Fry

When sautéing the chicken, use a large skillet over medium-high heat. Don’t overcrowd the pan; if necessary, cook the chicken in batches to ensure it browns properly and cooks through rather than steaming. Seasoning the chicken lightly with salt and pepper before cooking enhances its natural flavors, providing a savory base for the sweet sauce.

Meal Prep and Storage

This Keto Honey Walnut Chicken Stir Fry is an excellent choice for your weekly meal prep. It holds up beautifully, making it perfect for lunches or dinners throughout the week. Once cooked and cooled, store it in an airtight food storage container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, you can use either the stovetop over low-medium heat until warmed through, or the microwave for a quicker option. A splash of water or broth can help loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much in the fridge.

Choosing the Best Keto Honey Substitutes

The “honey” in this Honey Walnut Chicken is crucial for that authentic sweet and sticky flavor. Thankfully, the market now offers excellent keto-friendly honey substitutes that deliver on taste and texture without the added sugars or carbs. Among the best, I wholeheartedly recommend two brands: Nature’s Hollow and Wholesome Yum. Both produce incredible honey alternatives that perfectly mimic the classic flavor of traditional bee honey, but with virtually no net carbs. These innovative products are essential for achieving the distinct sweetness and consistency of our sugar-free sauce.

Perfect Pairings: Serving Your Low-Carb Honey Chicken

Given the delightful sweetness of this keto honey chicken recipe, pairing it with savory or even slightly spicy side dishes is an excellent way to create a balanced and satisfying meal. The contrast of flavors will enhance your dining experience and prevent the sweetness from becoming overwhelming.

Here are some fantastic low-carb suggestions:

Easy Keto Scallion Pancakes: These savory, earthy pancakes offer a wonderful textural and flavor contrast to the sweet chicken. Their slight oniony bite will beautifully cut through the richness of the sauce.
Keto Bok Choy Stir Fry and Soy Sauce Eggs: For a truly Asian-inspired accompaniment, a savory bok choy stir fry and salty soy sauce eggs are an unbeatable combination. The umami and slight bitterness of the bok choy, coupled with the rich eggs, provide the perfect counterpoint to the chicken.
Bang Bang Cauliflower: If you crave a kick of spice, serving your honey walnut chicken with bang bang cauliflower is an exciting choice. The fiery, creamy, and crunchy cauliflower will ignite your taste buds and create a dynamic flavor experience.
Easy Keto Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice: For a classic and comforting side, garlic butter cauliflower rice is always a winner. Its mild flavor and fluffy texture make it an excellent vehicle for soaking up all the delicious sauce from the chicken without adding extra carbs.
Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Simple steamed broccoli, green beans, or roasted asparagus can also provide a fresh, crisp, and healthy balance to the dish.
Zucchini Noodles: Lightly sautéed zucchini noodles are another fantastic low-carb option to serve as a base, absorbing the sauce beautifully.

Your Go-To Keto Honey Walnut Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

Ready to whip up this delicious and healthy Panda Express copycat? Below you’ll find the complete list of ingredients and detailed, step-by-step instructions. Get ready to enjoy an unforgettable meal that fits perfectly into your keto and sugar-free lifestyle!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 30-35 minutes
Servings: 4
Net Carbs: 1 net carb per serving
Calories: Approximately 375 kcal per serving

Ingredients

1 cup Water
⅔ cup Granulated Swerve Sugar Substitute (for candying walnuts)
½ cup Walnuts, chopped
1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper, to taste
2 tbsp Sugar-Free Honey (Nature’s Hollow or Wholesome Yum recommended)
¼ cup Mayonnaise (full-fat for keto)
1 tbsp Heavy Whipping Cream
1 tbsp Swerve Confectioner’s Sugar Substitute
¼ cup Green Onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

In a small pot, combine 1 cup of water and ⅔ cup of granulated Swerve sugar substitute over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sweetener.
Add the chopped walnuts to the boiling sugar water. Allow them to boil for 2-3 minutes, ensuring they are well coated.
Carefully remove the walnuts from the pot, drain them thoroughly, and spread them out on a plate lined with paper towels to dry completely. This step is crucial for achieving candied texture.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat on your stovetop.
While the oil is heating, season the chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper to taste.
Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned chicken to the skillet. Sauté the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it is cooked through and lightly browned on all sides. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes depending on the size of your chicken pieces.
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the “honey” sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the sugar-free honey, mayonnaise, heavy whipping cream, and Swerve confectioner’s sugar substitute. Whisk vigorously until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly, ensuring each piece of chicken is evenly coated with the rich, sticky sauce.
Stir in the sliced green onions, reserving a small amount for garnish if desired.
Remove the skillet from the heat immediately. Serve the Keto Honey Walnut Chicken Stir Fry hot, garnished with the candied walnuts and any remaining green onions. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Calories: Approximately 375 kcal per serving
Net Carbs: 1 Net Carb Per Serving

The nutritional information for this recipe is calculated as a courtesy and is approximate only. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipes on this site. Factors like specific ingredient brands and exact measurements can alter values.

Don’t forget to Pin this recipe for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious keto inspiration!

Explore More Delicious Keto Chinese Chicken Recipes

If you loved this Keto Honey Walnut Chicken Stir Fry, you’re in for a treat! The world of keto-friendly Asian cuisine is vast and flavorful. Here are some more incredible low-carb Chinese chicken recipes that will keep your meal rotation exciting and delicious:

Keto Asian Chicken Chopped Salad: A refreshing and vibrant salad packed with crisp vegetables, tender chicken, and a tangy Asian-inspired dressing – perfect for a light yet satisfying meal.
Low-Carb Chicken Zoodle Lo Mein: Enjoy all the classic flavors of lo mein without the high carb count. This version uses spiralized zucchini noodles for a healthy and delicious twist.
Keto Asian Chicken With Mushrooms: A simple yet incredibly flavorful dish featuring tender chicken and earthy mushrooms in a savory, low-carb Asian sauce.
Sticky Keto Garlic Chicken: Indulge in succulent chicken coated in a gloriously sticky, sweet, and garlicky sauce that’s completely sugar-free and keto-compliant.
Keto Moo Goo Gai Pan Recipe: A healthy and comforting stir-fry brimming with chicken, mushrooms, and crisp vegetables in a delicate, savory sauce – a true Chinese restaurant classic, reinvented for keto.

Each of these recipes offers a unique flavor profile, ensuring you’ll never get bored on your keto journey. Dive in and discover your next favorite low-carb Asian chicken dish!