Cashew Chicken

This simple Cashew Chicken stir fry is an excellent healthy meal that’s simple to prepare ahead. Chicken chunks that are tender are covered in a delicious sesame garlic sauce, then stir-fried with succulent vegetables and cashews that are crunchy, served with rice or noodles. Paleo, gluten-free Whole30-friendly, sugar-free and refined, with keto and low carb alternatives.

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Last updated May 2022

Quick & Easy Cashew Chicken Stir Fry

My family is awestruck by any recipe that contains cashews. They have requested this stir fry with cashews numerous times over the years that I can remember – and every time they talk about it everyone immediately gets enthusiastically on board. Everyone is drooling at the idea of the delicious sweet and tangy flavor that is awash with juicy chicken, tender vegetables and, of obviously, those crunchy roast cashews.

What ever type of rice, vegetables or noodles you’re serving it with it’s likely to make you an enthusiastic eater from the moment you bite the first bite. Cashew chicken that you purchase at the local Chinese restaurant will soon be obsolete. It’s impossible to beat homemade cashew chicken that satisfies your favourite flavors with a minimum of effort!

Are Cashew Chicken Healthy for You?

Cashew chicken is thought to be one of the best choices in the field of Chinese take-out. It’s a great source of minerals, vitamins proteins, and fiber but it’s usually battered and then deep-fried in lot of oil. This recipe does not use the batter and uses only a little oil to cook the chicken, that makes it lighter significantly.

Additionally the stir fry can be adapted to a wide range of diets. It’s gluten-free and paleo, with no refined sugars added. It can also be made keto and low-carb using just a few changes!

What You’ll Be Needing

Here’s everything you need be aware of what ingredients make this recipe possible. You’ll find the necessary quantities on the recipe card at the end of this article.

To make to make the Sesame Garlic Sauce

• Coconut aminosYou can use gluten-free Tamari as well as low sodium soy sauce when there aren’t any dietary restrictions.
• fish Sauce:Make sure to make use of a premium fish sauce such as Red Boat. You could also substitute hoisin sauce made without gluten if you are no restrictions on diet.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: This extremely healthy vinegar has a wonderful flavor.
• Honey Your preferred sweetener with low-carb (such as stevia, erythritol and monk fruits).
• Toasted Sesame Oil This adds a lovely nuance to go with the cashews.
• Arrowroot Starch: Or cornstarch. Make use of xanthan gum to make low-carb/keto.
• Fresh Minced ginger: Do not try substituting the ground ginger with fresh as it is more potent and doesn’t taste exactly the similar.
• Garlic freshly minced.
• Wasser: To thin out the sauce as required.

for this recipe, you need to prepare the Cashew Chicken Stir Fry

• Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breasts Slice into 1 inch pieces.
• Salt & Pepper: Add to the taste.
• Tapioca Starch Starch from cornstarch or Arrowroot can be used as well.
• Coconut Oil: Or olive oil.
• Broccoli Florets Clean and completely dried.
• Red Bell Pepper: Washed dried, cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Unsalted Cashews You can purchase cashews that are already roasted or cook them at home.
• Chili Red Flakes An option, to give some heat.

For serving (Optional)

• Toasted Sesame Seeds These add delicious nutty flavor even more.
• Green Onion Cut thinly.
• Lunch Boxes When I cook this meal for meal preparation I prefer to keep each portion in an individual airtight container.
• Rice or noodles: You can serve your stir-fry over zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice jasmine rice, brown rice, or any other basis you prefer.

How to Create Cashew Chicken

Making your own cashew chicken is much faster than buying takeaway. You’ll be able to put it at your table in just 20 minutes. You do not even need to leave your home!

1. Create Sauce: Combine all of the ingredients for sauce in an oversized bowl. Put the sauce aside.
2. Seasoning Chicken The chicken should be seasoned with salt and pepper, as well as tapioca starch as well as one tablespoon of the stir-fry sauce.
3. Cooking: Add the oil into a wok, or a large nonstick skillet, and place the heat to medium-high. Allow it to sit on the flame for about a minute before adding the chicken, and stir fry it for about 5-6 minutes or until it begins to turn brown.
4. Add vegetables: Toss in the bell peppers, broccoli and the cook for about 2 minutes and until they are tender while the meat is cooked to perfection.
5. Add Cashews and Sauce: Pour in the remaining sauce, and then include the cashews.
6. Toss and Keep Cooking Mix everything and let the sauce expand and become thicker. Sprinkle the stir fry with salt or pepper or red chili flakes as required.
7. Garnish and Serve Remove your stir fry from pan and garnish it with sesame seeds toasted and chopped green onions, If you wish. Serve in a warm plate or over noodles or rice.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes! Cut the chicken in pieces and then refrigerate your chicken inside an airtight container, or an insulated storage bag that can be resealed. The same is true for the vegetables. Make the sauce and keep it in a glass container. Rice or noodles can be prepared in advance and then refrigerated within an airtight container after it has the noodles have cooled.

Alternately, you can prepare the entire meal in advance. Allow the stir fry to cool and rice noodles fully cool. Refrigerate everything together in one large airtight container or in separate portions.

The stir fry should be cooked on a medium-low temperature, stirring often until the mixture is cooked through. If you’d prefer, you could microwave individual portions at 30 second intervals, making sure to stir thoroughly after each serving.

Tips to be Successful

Make use of these techniques and tips to ensure your homemade cashew chicken is more tasty than takeout.

• Avoid salted cashews: You’re definitely going to want to prepare this stir-fry using un salted cashews. Salted cashews will add unnecessary sodium, and cause the dish to taste excessively salty.
• Do I need to roast The Nuts? I highly recommend roasting your cashews since it will enhance their flavor. If you are unable to find them pre-roasted then spread the cashews in their raw state out on a cookie sheet , and bake them at 350 degF for five minutes. When they’re done, you can smell the delicious nutty scent.
• Don’t overcook the chicken: Once the chicken is beginning to brown, proceed and add the vegetables. The chicken will cook while you cook the recipe. If you cook it too long at the start it could be dry and brittle. Cut the chicken into evenly-sized pieces allows it to cook nicely and evenly.

Variation Ideas

It’s always fun to mix things up time. This recipe can be easily modified to meet your needs!

• Switch out your fish Sauce:If you want to experience more umami flavour You can replace the fish sauce with hoisin sauce that is gluten-free or gluten-free oyster sauce. mushroom sauce that is vegetarian. Choose your preferred!
• Use Thighs in place Of Breasts So long as they’re not scaly and have no bones You can absolutely prepare this stir-fry using the thighs of chicken instead. Keep in mind that this dark-meat cut will require an extended cooking time.
• Change up the veggies: Whether you want to make use of different bell peppers or swap the zucchini for broccoli slices, do it now! If you do decide to alter these ingredients, you should use veggies that cook at similar speeds.

Serving Suggestions

We typically eat our cashew chicken on a base with White Rice, Cauliflower Rice or zucchini noodles, however any other option you prefer will work.

If you’re looking to include a side dish in the meal, you won’t be wrong with this straightforward Chinese Broccoli Stir Fry, that can be prepared in just 15 to 20 minutes, or even less. Stir-fried Bok Choy is another Chinese classic that will compliment the flavor that the chicken is cooked with cashews, and provide additional nutrition to your meals.

Reheating and storage

If you are lucky enough with leftovers? Cool the stir fry and store it within an airtight container with the rice or noodles. Relish the leftovers in 4 days to get the most optimal outcomes.

Cook your stir fry on medium heat until heated through, making sure to stir it frequently. Alternately, heat individual portions using the microwave at 30 secs intervals for a stretch and stir after each interval.

Does this freeze well?

Cashew chicken can be stored when frozen. Refrigerate the stir fry that has cooled inside an airtight container a period of up to 4 weeks. It is best to let it chill in the refrigerator overnight before you heat it up.

A Healthy Stir-In for Chicken Fries to try

Everyone loves a good stir fry. It’s even better when it’s one these!