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Cashew Chicken

Savory Cashew Chicken: Your New Favorite Homemade Delight

This savory cashew chicken recipe offers a quick and customizable meal that's perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Chicken
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 1 cup Brown Sugar or coconut sugar for lower glycemic option
  • 1 tablespoon Hoisin Sauce or soy sauce and sugar if unavailable
  • 5 cloves Garlic, minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoons White Wine Vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce or tamari for gluten-free option
  • 2 tablespoons Honey or maple syrup as a vegan alternative
  • 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar or more white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil or peanut oil
  • 1 teaspoon Sambal Oelek Chili Paste or chili powder for less heat
  • Red Chili Flakes optional for added heat
  • 2 tablespoons Water for sauce preparation
  • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch or arrowroot starch as an alternative
For the Chicken
  • 1 cup Raw Cashews, unsalted or peanuts if preferred
  • 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil or canola or grapeseed oil
  • 2 pieces Chicken Breasts, cubed thighs can be used for richer flavor
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika or smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder omit if desired
  • 2 large Eggs or aquafaba for vegan preparation

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • frying pan
  • Shallow Dish
  • Baking dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Cashew Chicken
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, white wine vinegar, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sambal oelek, and optional red chili flakes. Bring to a boil, then mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry and add to the sauce. Simmer for 2 minutes or until thickened.
    Cashew Chicken
  2. Toast the raw cashews in a small frying pan over medium-low heat for about 2 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
    Cashew Chicken
  3. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Heat vegetable oil in two frying pans. Season cubed chicken with salt and pepper, then coat in a mixture of cornstarch, paprika, and garlic powder. Dip in whisked eggs and fry for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
    Cashew Chicken
  4. Transfer the fried chicken to a baking dish, top with toasted cashews, and pour the sauce over evenly. Stir gently to coat.
    Cashew Chicken
  5. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through and adding a splash of water if the sauce is too thick.
    Cashew Chicken
  6. Remove from the oven, let sit for a few minutes, and serve with rice, noodles, or veggies.
    Cashew Chicken

Nutrition

Serving: 1plateCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 100IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For meal prep, freeze in a container for up to 2 months.

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