Zesty Cashew Chicken Recipe: A Swift Dinner Sensation
Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this crispy cashew chicken recipe delivers a knockout punch of flavor and texture.
The golden, crunchy exterior gives way to tender, succulent meat that practically melts in your mouth.
Cashews add a delightful nutty crunch that elevates every single bite beyond ordinary chicken dishes.
Packed with bold Asian-inspired seasonings, this recipe turns a simple protein into a restaurant-worthy meal you can easily make at home.
Each forkful promises a perfect balance of crispy, savory, and satisfying elements that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.
The combination of juicy chicken and toasted cashews creates a mouthwatering experience that’s both comforting and exciting.
Prepare to fall in love with a chicken dish that breaks free from the mundane and celebrates bold, vibrant flavors.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Calories: 400 kcal
Servings: 5
All You Need For Cashew Chicken Recipe
For Protein Base:For Nutty Texture:For Flavor Enhancers:For Sauce Components:Kitchen Tools For Cashew Chicken Recipe
Easy Instructions For Cashew Chicken Recipe
Toss cashews into a dry skillet and warm them over medium heat. Watch them carefully as they turn golden and release a nutty aroma. Once perfectly toasted, set them aside on a plate.
Cut chicken into bite-sized chunks that will cook quickly and evenly. Season the pieces with a sprinkle of salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
Heat oil in a large wok or skillet until it shimmers with heat. Carefully add chicken pieces and cook until they’re golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
Whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger in a small bowl. This blend will give your dish a rich, tangy kick that makes mouths water.
Pour the sauce over the sizzling chicken, stirring to coat every piece. Toss in the toasted cashews and let everything meld together for another minute. The nuts will add a delightful crunch and nutty depth to the meal.
Slide the chicken onto a bed of steamed rice. Garnish with fresh green onions for a pop of color and extra flavor. Your delicious cashew chicken is ready to devour!
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Crispy Cashew Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 5 1x
Description
Savory cashew chicken combines tender poultry with crunchy nuts in a classic Chinese-American dish. Flavorful ingredients and simple cooking techniques create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll enjoy making at home.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (500 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup (150 g) unsalted cashews, lightly toasted
- 2 tbsps vegetable or sesame oil
- ¼ cup (60 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsps hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsps rice vinegar
- 2 tbsps honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional for extra umami)
- 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsps water (to thicken)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Roasting Nuts: Toast cashews in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden-brown, releasing a rich, nutty fragrance.
- Chicken Preparation: Slice chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and optimal tenderness.
- Marinade Creation: Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and cornstarch to form a glossy, flavor-packed coating for the chicken.
- Marinating Process: Immerse chicken pieces in the prepared sauce, allowing them to absorb the complex flavor profile for 15 minutes.
- Searing Technique: Heat a wok or skillet with vegetable oil until shimmering, then add marinated chicken to create a caramelized exterior while sealing in moisture.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Quickly stir in minced garlic and ginger, creating a fragrant base that elevates the dish’s depth of flavor.
- Vegetable Integration: Toss in chopped green onions and bell peppers, maintaining their vibrant color and crisp texture through continuous movement.
- Final Touches: Incorporate toasted cashews, ensuring even distribution, and simmer briefly to harmonize flavors and complete chicken cooking.
- Serving Presentation: Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with additional green onion slices for a fresh, bright finishing accent.
Notes
- Cashew Toasting Technique: Roast cashews slowly over medium heat, constantly stirring to prevent burning and achieve an even golden-brown color that enhances their nutty flavor.
- Chicken Preparation Precision: Cut chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking and prevent uneven texture, which helps maintain tenderness throughout the dish.
- Marinade Mastery: Let chicken marinate for exactly 15 minutes – not longer – to prevent the acid from breaking down the meat’s protein structure and maintaining optimal texture.
- Heat Management Magic: Use high heat when searing chicken to create a perfect caramelized exterior while keeping the inside juicy, watching carefully to avoid overcooking and drying out the meat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Olivia Bennett
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Nutritional Analysis, Dietary Accommodations, Food Writing and Blogging,
Education
University of Texas at Austin
Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY
Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.
Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.