Cashew Chicken Recipe is a delightful blend of tender Chicken, crunchy cashews, and vibrant vegetables; all enveloped in a savory sauce that tantalizes the taste buds.

This popular Asian-inspired dish offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a favorite for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can recreate this restaurant-style dish in the comfort of your kitchen.

Table of Contents

What Is The Cashew Chicken Recipe?

Cashew chicken is simply a stir fry of Chicken and cashews with a sauce that has a salty-sweet flavor profile.

Many people might think of cashew chicken as a Chinese dish, and indeed, China is where this dish originated. You can tell by the presence of sesame oil, which we don’t use very much in Thai cooking.

How Long Will It Take To Prepare?

The preparation time for cashew chicken can vary depending on factors such as your cooking experience, organization, and whether you’ve already marinated the Chicken. Generally, here’s an estimate of the time it might take:

Preparation Time: 15-20 minutes (includes chopping vegetables, mixing marinade, and toasting cashews)
Marinating Time: 15-30 minutes (optional, but recommended for better flavor)
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes (includes cooking Chicken, stir-frying vegetables, making sauce, and combining everything)
Serving: 4 people

How Do You Make Cashew Chicken Recipe?

Essential Ingredients For Cashew Chicken Recipe:

500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup unsalted cashew nuts
One red bell pepper, sliced
One green bell pepper, sliced
One onion, sliced
Three cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece of ginger, minced
Two green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Two tablespoons of vegetable oil

For the marinade

Two tablespoons of soy sauce
One tablespoon of oyster sauce
One tablespoon cornstarch
One teaspoon of sesame oil
One teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the sauce

Three tablespoons soy sauce
Two tablespoons of oyster sauce
One tablespoon of hoisin sauce
One tablespoon of rice vinegar
One tablespoon of brown sugar
1/2 cup chicken broth or water
One tablespoon cornstarch mixed with two tablespoons water (to thicken the sauce)

Essential Instructions For The Cashew Chicken Recipe:

Step 1

Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, mix the ingredients for the marinade. Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat. Let it marinate for at least 15-30 minutes.

Step 2

Toast the cashews

Toast the cashew nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until they are golden brown and fragrant. Remove them from the skillet and set them aside.

Step 3

Cook the Chicken

Heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

Step 4

Add the marinated chicken pieces and stir-fry until they are cooked through and golden brown. Remove the Chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 5

Cook the vegetables

If needed, add another tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same skillet. Add the sliced onions, garlic, and ginger.

Step 6

Stir-fry for a couple of minutes until fragrant. Then add the sliced bell peppers and continue to stir-fry until they are slightly softened but still crisp.

Step 7

Make the sauce

Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the vegetables. Bring it to a simmer and let it cook for a minute or two until slightly thickened.

Step 8

Combine everything

Add the cooked Chicken and toasted cashews to the skillet with the sauce and vegetables. Stir everything together until well coated and heated through.

Step 9

Serve

Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot with steamed rice or noodles. Enjoy your homemade cashew chicken!

Additional Tips For Cashew Chicken Recipe:

Velveting the Chicken: For extra tender chicken, you can velvet it by marinating it in a mixture of egg white, cornstarch, and a bit of oil for about 30 minutes before proceeding with the recipe.
Adjusting the Heat: If you like spicy cashew chicken, you can add some chopped fresh chili peppers or a dash of chili flakes to the dish while stirring the vegetables.
Fresh Ingredients: Whenever possible, use fresh ginger and garlic for the best flavor. You can also add other vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or snap peas to add more color and nutrients to the dish.
Control the Salt: Be mindful of the salt content in the soy sauce and oyster sauce. Adjust the amount of salt added to the dish according to your taste preference.
Crunchy Cashews: To keep the cashews crunchy, you can add them to the dish right before serving instead of cooking them with the Chicken and vegetables.

Precautions For Cashew Chicken Recipe:

Cook Chicken Thoroughly: Make sure to cook the chicken pieces thoroughly until they are no longer pink in the center to prevent any risk of foodborne illness.
Handling Cashews: If you or anyone you’re serving has a nut allergy, be cautious with cashews or consider using an alternative ingredient.
Hot Oil Safety: Exercise caution when working with hot oil to avoid burns. Keep a close eye on the temperature and use appropriate utensils when stir-frying.
Cross-Contamination: To prevent cross-contamination, use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw Chicken and other ingredients, and wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw poultry.
Storing Leftovers: Any leftover cashew chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

Nutrition Facts Of Cashew Chicken Recipe

Nutrition	Amount
Calories	400 kcal
Protein	30 grams
Fat	25 grams
Carbohydrates	25 grams
Fiber	5 grams
Sodium	1000 mg

Cashew Chicken Recipe

Keep in mind that these values are estimates and may vary based on factors such as specific ingredients used, portion sizes, and any modifications to the recipe.

If you have specific dietary concerns or requirements, it’s always a good idea to double-check the nutrition information using a reliable calculator or consult with a nutritionist.