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Simple Recipes for Every Day

Cashew Chicken

homemade cashew chicken recipe with bell pepper, garlic, ginger, green onions and soy sauce in a bowl with a spoon
  • Serves:  4
  • Prep Time:  10 min
  • Cook Time:  20 min

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs chicken breast cut into bite size pieces, about 1-inch in size
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
  • 3/4 cup raw, unsalted cashews
  • 1 Tbsp canola, vegetable or another neutral oil
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 tsp minced fresh ginger
  • 2 tsp minced garlic, about 2-3 cloves
  • 1 (8 oz) can sliced water chestnuts, drained, optional
  • 4 green onions cut into 2-inch pieces
  • Serve with cooked rice, optional

Sauce

  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 Tbsp water
  • ΒΌ cup hoisin sauce
  • 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 2 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp rice vinegar (seasoned or unseasoned)
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar

Method

  1. Place the chicken, salt, cornstarch, and soy sauce in a large bowl and toss to coat.
  2. Heat a large dry skillet (or wok) over medium-high heat. Toast the cashews, stirring occasionally until beginning to brown, about, 4 minutes. Remove from the pan.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together the 2 teaspoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water until fully combined. Add to the cornstarch slurry the hoisin sauce, sesame oil, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, rice vinegar and brown sugar, stir together until fully combined.
  4. Using the same skillet (or wok), over medium-high, heat 1 tablespoon canola oil until shimmering. Add the marinated chicken. Using a wooden spoon, spread the chicken into a single layer cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until browned on the bottom. Flip the chicken over and cook for another 1-2 minutes until browned on the bottom.
  5. Add bell pepper cook for 1-2 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan until the chicken is cooked through and bell pepper is beginning to soften. Add the water chestnuts, garlic, ginger. Cook for 2 minutes longer.
  6. Add green onions and the sauce. Once the sauce comes to a simmer, add the toasted cashews and toss to combine. Cook until the sauce has reached your desired thickness, about 2-3 minutes longer.