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Chicken with Snow Peas
Chicken With Snow Peas is a classic mid-century American take on Chinese-inspired stir-fry dishes that became popular in home kitchens during the 1950s and 1960s. Recipes like this introduced families to quick skillet meals featuring soy sauce, crisp vegetables, and tender strips of chicken served over fluffy rice. The use of snow peas and celery gives the dish a fresh crunch, while the simple sauce thickened with cornstarch creates a light savory glaze. Easy to prepare and budget-friendly, this recipe reflects the growing popularity of “Oriental-style” cooking in vintage American recipe collections. Its combination of tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and comforting rice makes it a timeless weeknight favorite that still feels fresh and satisfying today.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Chinese
Servings 2
Calories 295 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken breast (about 8 oz, boned and cut into thin strips)
  • salt (to taste)
  • black pepper (to taste)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 cup celery (diagonally sliced into ½-inch pieces)
  • ½ cup onion (sliced )
  • 1 cup edible pod peas (or snow peas)
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • ¼ tsp sugar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 cup hot cooked rice

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

  • Season the chicken strips with salt and pepper.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  • Sauté the chicken for about 1 minute, or until lightly browned and nearly tender.

Step 2: Add the Vegetables

  • Add the celery, onions, snow peas, and 2 tbsp of the chicken broth to the skillet.
  • Cover and steam for about 1½ minutes.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

  • In a small bowl, blend the cornstarch, sugar, salt, soy sauce, and remaining chicken broth until smooth.

Step 4: Finish the Stir-Fry

  • Remove the lid from the skillet and stir the vegetables once.
  • Pour the sauce mixture into the chicken and vegetables.
  • Cook and stir for about ½ minute, or until the sauce slightly thickens.

Step 5: Serve

  • Serve immediately over hot fluffy rice.

Tips

  • Substitute snap peas for snow peas if preferred.
  • Add sliced mushrooms for extra umami flavor.
  • Use leftover rotisserie chicken for a quicker meal.
  • Add garlic or fresh ginger for more authentic stir-fry flavor.
  • Serve with brown rice instead of white rice for extra fiber.
  • Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the top before serving.
  • Add water chestnuts for extra crunch.
  • Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content.
  • Toss in sliced carrots or bell peppers for added color.
  • Add a dash of chili flakes for mild heat.

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 27gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1.8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.5gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 720mgPotassium: 520mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 850IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg
Keyword chicken recipes, comfort food, easy meals, family dinner, quick meals, retro recipes, Rice, stir-fry, vintage recipes
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