Here’s a classic take on Cashew Chicken — tender chicken stir-fried with crunchy cashews in a savory, slightly sweet sauce.
🥜 Cashew Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ cup chicken broth or water
For Stir-Fry
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece ginger, minced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (optional)
- 3–4 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
- ½ cup unsalted roasted cashews
Instructions
1️⃣ Marinate Chicken
- Toss chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 tablespoon cornstarch.
- Let sit 10–15 minutes while preparing other ingredients.
2️⃣ Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin, vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and chicken broth.
- Set aside.
3️⃣ Cook the Chicken
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and stir-fry until cooked through and lightly golden (5–6 minutes). Remove and set aside.
4️⃣ Stir-Fry Veggies & Nuts
- In the same pan, sauté garlic and ginger 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Add bell pepper and green onions; stir-fry 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in cashews and cooked chicken.
5️⃣ Add Sauce
- Pour sauce over the chicken and vegetables.
- Toss to coat and simmer 1–2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
6️⃣ Serve
- Serve hot over steamed white rice or fried rice.
- Optional garnish: sesame seeds or extra chopped green onions.
Tips & Variations
- Spicy: Add 1–2 tsp chili paste or crushed red pepper flakes.
- Vegetables: Add broccoli, snow peas, or carrots for extra crunch.
- Gluten-free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free hoisin.
If you want, I can also give an oven-baked Cashew Chicken version that’s quicker and less hands-on but still keeps the chicken tender and cashews crunchy.
Do you want me to provide that version?
