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
Scale
- 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