Description

Cashew Chicken is a quick, flavorful, and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breast, crunchy cashews, and vibrant vegetables coated in a luscious natural gelling agent sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors with a satisfying mix of textures, making it an ideal weeknight dinner for the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

1 lb chicken breast, sliced into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup cashews

Vegetables & Aromatics

1 cup bell peppers, chopped
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

Sauce

3 tablespoons soy sauce (natural)
2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar (natural)
1 teaspoon natural gelling agent

Cooking Oil

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

Prepare Your Ingredients: Slice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces, chop the bell peppers and green onions, mince the garlic and ginger, and set aside the cashews for easy access while cooking.
Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar, brown sugar (natural), and natural gelling agent. Whisk until fully blended and set aside to let the flavors marry.
Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and stir-fry until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the skillet and keep warm.
Stir-Fry Vegetables and Aromatics: In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed, then stir-fry garlic and ginger briefly until fragrant. Add bell peppers and green onions, cooking for 3-4 minutes until just tender but still vibrant.
Combine Everything: Return the chicken to the skillet, pour in the prepared sauce, and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly. Add cashews last, mixing just enough to warm them without losing their crunch.
Simmer to Thicken: Allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes until the sauce slightly thickens, creating a glossy finish that clings to every morsel.

Notes

Use room temperature chicken for better searing and even cooking without drying out.
Toast the cashews lightly to enhance their nuttiness and add extra crunch.
Do not overcrowd the pan; stir-fry in batches if needed to avoid steaming the chicken.
Add sauce gradually to control thickness and flavor intensity perfectly.
Stir-fry vegetables just until tender crisp to keep the best texture contrast.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stir-Frying
Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg

Keywords: Cashew Chicken, quick dinner, stir-fry, chicken recipe, nutty chicken dish, weeknight meal