Description
This Cashew Chicken recipe features tender cubes of chicken breast, seared to perfection and tossed in a savory-sweet sauce with whole cashews. Quick to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a flavorful dish that pairs beautifully with steamed rice or your favorite vegetables.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
-
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup whole cashews
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Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar (add 1 tbsp more if a sweeter sauce is desired)
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, add the soy sauce, chicken broth, minced garlic, brown sugar, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Whisk together until all ingredients are fully dissolved and set aside to allow the flavors to meld while you prepare the chicken.
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes and season them with salt and pepper to your liking. Place the cubed chicken in a gallon-size freezer bag.
- Coat with Cornstarch: Add the cornstarch to the bag of seasoned chicken. Seal the bag and shake well until all the chicken pieces are evenly coated with cornstarch.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the coated chicken pieces (in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding) and cook until each side is golden and the chicken is cooked through, achieving a slight sear on the outside.
- Add Cashews: Toss the whole cashews into the skillet with the cooked chicken and toast them for about a minute, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add Sauce and Finish: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet, tossing everything together so the chicken and cashews are well coated. Allow the sauce to heat through and thicken as it cooks, ensuring everything is evenly covered.
- Serve: Serve the Cashew Chicken immediately over rice or alongside your favorite steamed vegetables for a wholesome meal.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Let it cool before storing.
- Reheat refrigerated leftovers in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or in a saucepan on low heat, stirring occasionally.
- For best texture, allow frozen portions to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Customize sweetness by adding an extra tablespoon of brown sugar if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 515 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1246mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0.02g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 44g
- Cholesterol: 109mg
