Quick & Easy Cashew Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
22 mins
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Cook Time
8 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
330 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Chinese
Quick & Easy Cashew Chicken
Description
Quick & Easy Cashew Chicken combines skinless boneless chicken breast sliced thin and marinated with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, baking soda, and cornstarch to tenderize and flavor the meat. Roasted or raw cashews are toasted separately to add a crunchy texture contrast. The stir-fry includes broccoli florets and diced red bell pepper, cooked briefly with garlic and ginger to keep them bright and tender-crisp. A sauce made of soy sauce, hoisin, brown sugar, sesame oil, and chicken broth is simmered until slightly thickened, then combined with the chicken and vegetables. This method ensures a cohesive dish with layers of savory, sweet, and mildly nutty flavors.
The quick cooking technique maintains the freshness and color of the ingredients, making it visually appealing and textured. It's an ideal stir-fry to serve over plain rice or noodles, offering a balanced meal with protein, vegetables, and nuts.
According to the notes, leftovers keep well up to four days when stored in an airtight container, and reheating can be done in the microwave or on the stovetop, making this dish convenient for multiple meals.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast skinless boneless
- ⅓ cup cashews unsalted roasted or raw cashews both work
- 7 oz broccoli broken into florets with stalks removed
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 inch ginger peeled and thinly sliced
- 2.5 tablespoon vegetable oil or any neutral oil
- ¼ cup water to help cook veggies
Chicken marinade:
- 2 teaspoon soy sauce regular
- 1.5 tablespoon cornstarch or sub with potato starch
- 2 teaspoon Shaoxing wine or sub with chicken stock
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper or sub with black pepper
- ½ teaspoon baking soda do not skip!
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or any neutral oil
Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce regular
- 2 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or sub with cane sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or sub with potato starch
- 2 teaspoon sesame oil toasted
- ½ cup chicken broth or sub with vegetable stock
Instructions
- Slice chicken breast against the grain into ¼-inch-thick pieces. Transfer chicken pieces to a large bowl. Mix in Marinade ingredients and allow this to marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine Sauce ingredients. Set aside.
- In a large wok or large skillet on medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil or any neutral oil. Once the oil is hot, toast cashews until they turn slightly brown, about 30-45 seconds. Remove and set aside.
- Back into the hot pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Once oil is hot, fry marinated chicken in a single layer until cooked and slightly golden brown on the edges, about 4-5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce to medium heat, add remaining oil along with garlic, ginger, broccoli, red bell pepper and lastly water. Cook vegetables until vibrant, about 45-60 seconds.
- Pour in Sauce mixture. Simmer to thicken slightly, about 45-60 seconds.
- Once sauce has thickened, toss back in cooked chicken and crunchy cashews. Remove the finished dish off heat and serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- Marinate the chicken 15 minutes at room temperature to promote tenderness and flavor infusion.
- Toast cashews separately to maintain their crunch and prevent sogginess in the stir-fry.
- Cook vegetables briefly to preserve their vibrant color and slightly crisp texture.
- Store leftover cashew chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days and reheat via microwave or stovetop for best texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 330 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 330kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 23g | 8% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 73mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 954mg | 40% |
| Potassium | 804mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 1278IU | 26% |
| Vitamin C | 85mg | 94% |
| Calcium | 50mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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