Chinese chicken stir-fry recipe designed to comply with the Whole30 diet program. A quick and healthy one-pan meal cooked in a wok. Each serving is packed with lean protein and fresh vegetables tossed in a delicious sauce.
Reading: how much coconut aminos to add to stir fry vegatables
I grew up eating a bountiful amount of Chinese food, so it’s in my comfort zone to create simple weeknight recipes. To revamp a classic chicken stir-fry that complies with the Whole30 diet program, the sauce used has a few healthy substitutions like coconut aminos and arrowroot powder.
The ingredient swap adds a rich flavor and a nice texture to the sauce without compromising the taste. Each bowl is packed with tender slices of lean chicken breast and fresh vegetables for a nutritious meal made with ease! So if you’ve got a wok, let’s get it fired up! Don’t have a wok? That’s okay! A large saute pan will also do the trick.
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What’s great about the stir-fry technique is that very little oil is needed to cook the ingredients, making it a healthier meal. The very hot pan rapidly browns the surface of the chicken, creating a beautiful golden color while adding layers of new flavors from the Maillard reaction. The hot temperatures cook the proteins in less than 5 minutes, while the broccoli, mushrooms, carrots and bell pepper just needs a quick sear.
When cooking vegetables in the wok, it’s important to cook them until they soften while preserving the crisp texture and vibrant color. From the moment the chicken hits the pan, it only takes about 10 minutes to cook the entire recipe. It’s extremely quick and easy, just how weeknight meals should be!
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The stir-fry sauce is a little different in that the traditional ingredients, soy sauce, and cornstarch, are swapped for some more “modern” ingredients. I’ve been really curious about the Whole30 diet as a way to reset metabolism and improve gut health from a nutritional standpoint.
I wanted to challenge myself to create a sauce that could be compliant with the rules, but still, have all of the qualities in a good glaze- umami taste balanced with pungent and aromatic flavors. Chinese food is bold, so let’s keep it that way!
Whole30 Ingredient Swaps
Coconut aminos is used for soy sauce in the recipe. It’s a dark brown colored sauce made from coconut sap with a savory and sweet flavor. It makes for a great wheat and soy-free alternative in Asian cooking. I found that it’s much sweeter and not as salty as soy sauce.
Arrowroot powder is used instead of cornstarch, which is a white fine powder that functions to thicken sauces. It adds a nice body to the sauce and allows the glaze to stick on the surface of the chicken.
I like to serve this chicken stir-fry over a bed of sauteed cauliflower rice for a low carb meal. Grab some chopsticks and let’s dig in! I’d love to hear your thoughts on using the coconut aminos in cooking and if you have tried the Whole30 diet. Drop a note in the comments section below!
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More Whole30 recipes
- Dry brined butterflied roasted chicken
- Garlic shrimp skillet with roasted red pepper sauce
- Grilled flat iron steak with chimichurri sauce
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