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Cashew Chicken Recipe
5 from 8 votes

Cashew Chicken Recipe

A quick and easy cashew chicken recipe with loads of crunchy cashews, aromatic seasonings, and huge flavor, all simmered in a glistening sauce.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 304 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese, American

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoons olive oil (or use sesame oil, sesame oil, or vegetable oil)
  • 1 onion chopped, small
  • 1-2 chili peppers chopped (I love serrano, Thai peppers, or cayenne here - use bell pepper for a milder version, spicy
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup cashew nuts (or more to taste)
  • 1 pound chicken chopped (use chicken breast or chicken thigh, boneless
  • 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder optional - it's not traditional, but I love the flavor
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
FOR THE SAUCE
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or use oyster sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon mirin (or Chinese cooking wine)
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
FOR GARNISH: Sesame seeds; fresh chopped herbs, green onion or scallions; sliced peppers; spicy chili flakes.

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Season the chopped chicken with salt and pepper, and Chinese 5 spice (if using). Set aside until ready to use.
  2. Heat a wok or large pan to medium heat and add oil.
  3. Add onion and peppers. Cook for 5 minutes to soften.
  4. Add the garlic and cook another minute, stirring, until the garlic becomes fragrant.
  5. Add the cashew nuts and chicken and stir. Cook another 7-8 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
  6. Whisk together all of the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and add to the wok or pan. Stir to coat everything and warm the sauce, about 1 minute or longer. The sauce will thicken up.
  7. Serve with rice and garnish!

Notes

  • Heat Factor: Mild, though you can spice things up with hotter peppers and spicy chili flakes. Cashew chicken is not traditionally spicy.

Nutrition Information

Calories 304kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 14g (5%) Protein 29g (58%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 73mg (24%) Sodium 1276mg (53%) Potassium 631mg (13%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 34IU (1%) Vitamin C 6mg (7%) Calcium 31mg (3%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 304

% Daily Value*

Calories 304kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 14g 5%
Protein 29g 58%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 73mg 24%
Sodium 1276mg 53%
Potassium 631mg 13%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 34IU 1%
Vitamin C 6mg 7%
Calcium 31mg 3%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.