Cashew Chicken
Cashew Chicken is perfectly crispy from outside and juicy from inside mixed with pan-roasted cashews and tossed in a sticky, sweet, and savory sauce with a punch of garlic. This easy one pan recipe is ready in just 25 minutes. Faster and more delicous than takeout!!
Ingredients
Chicken and Cashews:
- 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
- ¼ cup corn-starch
- ¾ cup whole unsalted cashews
- 2 tablespoon cooking oil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Sauce:
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon Hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup water
Garnish: optional
- scallions thinly sliced
- sesame seeds
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
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In a bowl take the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper. Add corn starch, mix well to coat properly. Set aside
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Prepare the sauce by whisking all the ingredients given under sauce. Set aside.
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Heat a large heavy bottom pan and add cashews, roast them on medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. The cashews will turn crispy once cooled.
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In the same pan heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil on medium-high heat until pan is hot. Add the corn-starch-coated chicken pieces in a single layer. You may have to cook the chicken in batches. Cook each side until golden brown.
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Add toasted cashews and sauce, toss until the sauce is well coated with the chicken. Cover and cook for 5 minutes on medium heat until the sauce thickens.
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Garnish with green onion, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes if desired.
Serving suggtion:
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serve over rice or lettuce
Recipe Notes
- You can add vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, etc. for extra color and flavor. To do this remove the chicken when it’s done cooking in step 4, add the veggies of your choice and stir fry them. Once they’re tender add the chicken back in and the rest of the steps remain the same.
- Swap the white rice for brown rice. Try quinoa or farro for a healthier grain choice.
- Looking for a lower carb choice? Try cauliflower rice or even zucchini noodles.
- Swap the boneless skinless chicken breasts for the boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder can be swapped for garlic cloves. Do not use garlic salt as it will make the recipe to salty.
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Nutritional information is estimated. Information will vary based on ingredient choices and serving sizes