5.0 from 12 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
10 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 small onion chopped
- 1-2 spicy chili peppers chopped (I love serrano, Thai peppers, or cayenne here - use bell pepper for a milder version)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup cashew nuts (or more to taste)
- 1 pound boneless chicken chopped (use chicken breast or chicken thigh)
- 1 teaspoon Chinese 5 spice (optional - it's not traditional, but I love the flavor)
- salt and 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
- Season the chopped chicken with salt and pepper, and Chinese 5 spice (if using). Set aside until ready to use.
- Heat a wok or large pan to medium heat and add oil.
- Add onion and peppers. Cook for 5 minutes to soften.
- Add the garlic and cook another minute, stirring, until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Add the cashew nuts and chicken and stir. Cook another 7-8 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- 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.
- Serve with rice and garnish!
Cup of Yum
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
(18%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
34IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
31mg
(3%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
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.