Cashew Chicken

This delicious Cashew Chicken is a hot favorite at our house. In it, crispy chunks of white meat chicken combined with scallions and toasted cashews are then then tossed in a kicked-up sauce. This recipe isn't a take out fake out, it's much better than anything you'll pay a mint for and tote home in a cardboard container. This is my own take on an Asian favorite. Chopsticks are optional.

Easy Cashew Chicken Recipe

Do Southerners eat Cashew Chicken? You bet we do! Southerners eat a variety of foods just like any other part of the country. It never ceases to amaze me that some think that Southern food is all about fried chicken and gravy. Don't get me wrong, we make comfort food like no other. We love our crispy fried chicken and gravy, macaroni and cheese, biscuits and sweet tea. Even though I've had occasion to eat all of those things, they still seem like a treat to me. Why?  Because we really don't eat those foods every single day. We also love Italian, Mexican, Indian, Greek, Mediterranean, Japanese and Chinese food just as much as anyone else.

How to Make the Best Cashew Chicken Recipe

This Asian inspired cashew chicken  is made completely on the stove top. The chicken pieces are coated with cornstarch and then fried until crispy and golden.

• Ingredients you'll need to make homemade Cashew Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breasts, cashews, green onions, sesame seeds, cornstarch, olive oil, sesame oil, garlic salt, hoisin sauce, teriyaki sauce, rice wine vinegar, tomato paste, light brown sugar, garlic powder or granulated garlic, red pepper flakes, ground ginger and cooked jasmine or basmati rice for serving.
• Kitchen gadgets you'll need: Mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, a whisk, a large skillet, sharp knife and cutting board,
• You'll need to fry the chicken in batches being careful not to overfill the pan for the best results. After a quick sauté of the green onion and cashews it takes seconds to whisk together the easy sauce.
• Add the chicken back to the pan, give it a toss with the crisp tender green onion and roasted cashews and the warm sauce will pull it all together
• Serve this chicken with a side of Roasted Sugar Snap Peas or Teriyaki Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms and Peas.
• Store leftover Cashew Chicken chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in single servings in the microwave.

More Easy Southern Style Chicken Recipes to Make

More chicken recipes you may like to add to the dinner menu:

• Serve a taste of New Orleans with this Chicken and Rice Gumbo recipe.
• These Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are marinated in yogurt and seasoned Greek-style.
• Make ahead Barbecue Chicken and Bacon Foil Packs with easy clean up, too.
• Nashville Hot Chicken Strips will bring the heat to supper.
• Asian Sesame Chicken Pasta can be served warm, at room temperature or chilled.
• Raspberry Chicken from Life in the Lofthouse.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• 12 inch Stainless Skillet
• Mixing Bowls
• Whisk
• Rice Cooker

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Cashew Chicken

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time40 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Asian Inspired

Keyword: cashew-chicken

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 359kcal

Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

• 3 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts bite size cubes
• ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
• 3 tablespoon cornstarch divided
• Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil additional as needed
• 1 bunch green onions thinly sliced
• ¾ cup roasted cashews unsalted or lightly salted
• 1 7 oz jar Hoison sauce
• ¼ cup low sodium teriyaki sauce
• 2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• Jasmine or Basmati rice for serving

Instructions

• Season the cubed chicken with garlic salt. Toss with 2 tablespoon cornstarch until coated on all sides.
• Preheat a large skillet drizzled with olive oil and 1 teaspoon sesame oil over medium-high heat.
• Add the chicken pieces to the skillet in a single layer. Fry the chicken in batches until browned on both sides and no pink remains. Around 3-4 minutes. Add additional olive and sesame oil between batches as needed. Remove to a platter.
• After all of the chicken is cooked, add the green onions and cashews to the pan. Saute for 2 minutes or until the onion has softened and the cashews are warmed. (Reserve 2 tablespoon green onion for garnishing)
• Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch, hoison sauce, teriyaki, rice wine vinegar, tomato paste, brown sugar, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and ground ginger.
• Add the sauce to the skillet. Cook over medium allowing it to bubble and thicken for around 2-3 minutes. Stir constantly. Add additional tomato paste 1 tablespoon at a time if needed, to thicken.
• Add the chicken back to the pan. Stir gently until the chicken is heated through and evenly coated with sauce.
• Serve immediately over cooked rice, garnished with green onion.

Notes

To kick up the heat add ¼ cup Sweet Asian Chili Sauce in place of the red chili flakes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 1059mg | Potassium: 757mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 134IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 2mg

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