Chicken almond ding, which is also known as almond boneless chicken or almond chicken, is a popular Chinese-American dish whose roots are not clear. I liked this crunchy, nutty chicken treat because I like mixing different kinds of foods that taste good together.
A Tantalizing Taste Combination
The name “chicken almond ding” is a playful riff on the Cantonese name for the dish, “jaht guy ding.” The main ingredients are simple – chicken and almonds – but the preparation and flavors transform these mundane ingredients into a restaurant favorite.
Chunks of boneless chicken are coated in a light batter and fried until golden brown and crispy. Then, the chicken gets tossed in a sticky, savory sauce and topped with freshly sliced almonds. The contrast of the crunchy coating and nuts with the juicy, tender chicken is what makes this dish so craveable. The sweet sauce clings to each morsel, balanced by the toasty almond slivers.
Murky Origins
While this Chinese-American dish has become a staple in certain regions, its exact origins are uncertain. There are a few theories about how chicken almond ding was created:
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Cantonese immigrants came to the United States and changed traditional Chinese cooking methods to suit American tastes.
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A chef in Detroit’s Chinatown innovated the recipe, coating fried chicken in gravy and chopped nuts.
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Chinese restaurants in Ohio started serving this dish to mimic popular cashew chicken entrées.
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The recipe was developed accidentally when a careless cook spilled almonds into the fryer.
Despite the mysterious backstory, chicken almond ding has become deeply rooted in the local food cultures of Detroit and Columbus. It’s a specialty that you’ll find on Chinese restaurant menus in those cities, but it remains obscure in other parts of America.
Regional Differences
There are some variations in chicken almond ding recipes across different restaurants. Here are a few of the regional differences:
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Detroit-style chicken is extra crispy, fried twice, drenched in thickened gravy, and topped with a lot of almonds.
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The sauce in Columbus-style is usually sweeter, and vegetables like celery, bean sprouts, and water chestnuts are often added.
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Some Midwestern versions are saucy while others are drier with sauce served on the side.
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West Coast interpretations may use unconventional dipping sauces like plum, sweet chili or duck sauce.
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Chefs get creative with alternative nuts like cashews, peanuts, pine nuts or pistachios.
Despite these localized tweaks, the core appeal remains the same – juicy fried chicken blanketed in an umami-rich sauce and crunchy nuts.
Serving Suggestions
While chicken almond ding is delish on its own, there are some tasty ways to round out your order and customize it:
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Sides: Steamed rice, lo mein noodles, or crispy egg rolls make perfect pairings.
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Veggies: Ask for extra celery, onions, or snap peas to balance the rich flavors.
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Sauces: Explore dipping your chicken in hot mustard or duck sauce for a flavor twist.
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Crunch: Add chow mein noodles or fried wontons for fun textures.
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Heat: Request chili oil or chili garlic sauce if you want to spice it up.
Chicken almond ding is the ideal combo of sweet, savory, and crunchy. Play around with different sauces, spices, and sides to find your favorite way to savor this Chinese-American innovation.
Cooking Tips from the Wok Stars
As a chicken almond ding addict, I asked some seasoned chefs for their tips on making this recipe at home:
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Velvet the chicken by marinating it briefly in oil, egg whites, cornstarch, and wine – this keeps the meat juicy.
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Double fry the chicken for maximum crunch – fry once at 325F then again at 350F.
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Toast the almonds before adding them to the dish for intensified nutty flavor.
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Use broth not water for the sauce to amp up the umami flavor.
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Simmer the sauce to thicken it and let the flavors meld.
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Mix cornstarch slurry into the sauce for a silky sheen.
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Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds for color and crunch.
With these expert pointers, you can recreate the magic of chicken almond ding at home. Just be prepared for requests for second helpings!
Time for a Taste Test
My curiosity about this elusive dish has only grown after digging into its history and realizing there is so much regional variation. I’m on a mission to sample chicken almond ding from different restaurants and compare the crispy coating, sauce consistency, nut additions and side pairings.
It’s fascinating how a simple recipe can evolve in so many directions. There’s room for creativity in making this dish your own, whether you’re a home cook or restaurant chef. If you love cracking culinary mysteries like me, join me in exploring the story behind chicken almond ding one tasty bite at a time!
How to Make Chicken Almond Ding stir fry
FAQ
What is in chicken almond ding?
Chicken almond ding is a Chinese-American dish featuring diced chicken and vegetables stir-fried with crunchy almonds in a savory sauce. The “ding” part of the name refers to the fact that the ingredients are diced into small, uniform pieces. Typical ingredients include chicken, almonds, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, celery, and snow peas.
What is ding in Chinese food?
In a ding dish, the chicken and vegetables are cut into small cubes, and crunchy things like nuts are added to give the dish texture.
What does “chicken ding” mean?
“Ding” means “to dice into small pieces,” and De Witt says that ding dishes usually have nuts or other crunchy things in them to give the meat and vegetables more texture.
What is in chicken almondine?
Similar to a pot pie, white meat chicken, celery, onions, peas, carrots, and fresh mushrooms all baked in a creamy sauce topped with a flakey pie crust, swiss cheese, and sliced almonds.