In a mixing bowl, combine cornstarch, ground ginger, garlic powder, sugar, and salt.
Roll the chicken breasts in the cornstarch mixture to coat them evenly.
Cook the Chicken:
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
Brown the coated chicken breasts in the butter until golden brown on both sides.
Prepare the Sauce:
In a bowl, combine 2 tbsp.
soy sauce, 1/2 cup water, and 1/4 cup apple juice.
Pour this mixture over the browned chicken in the skillet.
Simmer:
Cover and simmer the chicken for 20 minutes, or until fork-tender.
Stir once during cooking and add the bamboo shoots.
Thicken the Sauce:
In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup apple juice, and 3 tbsp.
soy sauce with the remaining cornstarch mixture.
Add this mixture to the chicken and stir until the sauce thickens.
Prepare the Walnuts:
In a saucepan, bring water to a boil and add the walnuts.
Boil for 5 minutes, remove the skins, dry the walnuts, and then fry them until brown and crispy.
Serve:
Serve the hot chicken garnished with the fried walnuts.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Wine Advice
A light and slightly sweet Riesling pairs well with this dish. The sweetness complements the apple juice and contrasts nicely with the savory elements.
Adjustments for Gluten-Free and Low-Carb Diets
Gluten-Free:
To make this recipe gluten-free, use a gluten-free soy sauce.
Low-Carb:
Replace the apple juice with a low-carb alternative like unsweetened almond milk or additional water. Reduce or omit the cornstarch, using xanthan gum as a thickener if needed.
Vegetarian:
This recipe is not suitable for vegetarians as it contains chicken. To make a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with firm tofu or a plant-based chicken substitute.