Chicken with Cashew Nuts

Chicken with Cashew Nuts is a classic stir fry that combines tender meat with crunchy nuts and fresh vegetables. This dish is perfect for a quick weekday dinner when you want something tasty and simple. You can serve it with steamed rice or noodles to make a complete meal. The sauce is light and savoury which brings all the ingredients together naturally.
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Photo of the finished dish for the recipe Chicken with Cashew Nuts

What makes chicken with cashew nuts a good choice?

This recipe for chicken with cashew nuts is popular because it uses common ingredients and takes very little time to cook. The contrast between the soft chicken and the toasted nuts provides a great texture in every bite. It is a healthy choice as it contains plenty of vegetables and lean protein. Making this meal at home allows you to control the ingredients compared to a takeaway.

How to cook chicken with cashew nuts

Step 1
Prepare the ingredients: Cut the chicken into small bite sized pieces and chop the pepper and onion. Mince the garlic and measure out the sauces into a small bowl. Toast the cashew nuts in a dry pan for a few minutes until they are golden brown and set them aside.
Step 2
Fry the chicken: Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok over a medium high heat. Add the chicken pieces and fry them until they are cooked through and slightly browned on the outside. Remove the chicken from the pan and keep it warm.
Step 3
Cook the vegetables: In the same pan add the onion and pepper and stir fry for about three minutes until they start to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another minute while stirring constantly to prevent burning. Pour in the sauce mixture and water then let it bubble and thicken slightly.
Step 4
Combine and serve: Return the cooked chicken to the pan and add the toasted nuts. Toss everything together so the sauce coats the chicken with cashew nuts evenly. Serve the dish immediately while it is hot with your choice of side.

Important tips for chicken with cashew nuts

To make the best chicken with cashew nuts you should ensure your pan is very hot before adding any ingredients. This helps to sear the meat and keep the vegetables crisp rather than soggy. If you prefer a thicker sauce you can mix a little cornflour with the water before adding it to the pan. Use unsalted nuts to better manage the overall saltiness of the dish.

You can add other vegetables like broccoli or snap peas if you have them in the fridge. For a bit of heat add some dried chilli flakes or a fresh red chilli when frying the garlic. Always have all your ingredients chopped and ready because stir frying happens very quickly.

You can also try these recipes: mustard pickles, risotto with prawns or steak with garlic butter.

Ingredients

servings
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  • 300 g chicken breast
  • 50 g unsalted cashew nuts
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 onion
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 50 ml water

Cooking time

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Nutrition information

NUTRITIONper serving
  • Energy:2322 kJ / 555 kcal
  • Fat:29 g
  • - of which saturates:4.5 g
  • Carbohydrates:12 g
  • - of which sugars:5 g
  • Protein:55 g
  • Fibre:2 g
  • Salt:1.2 g

People also ask

The best way to keep the nuts crunchy is to toast them separately and add them at the very end. If you simmer the nuts in the sauce for too long they will become soft. Adding them just before serving chicken with cashew nuts ensures a perfect texture.
You can definitely use chicken thighs as they stay very juicy and tender during the frying process. Trim any excess fat and cut the meat into uniform pieces so they cook at the same rate. This variation works very well for chicken with cashew nuts.
Steamed jasmine rice or simple egg noodles are the most traditional choices for this recipe. They soak up the savoury sauce perfectly without overpowering the flavours. You could also serve it with fried rice for a more filling dinner.
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4.7 / 5 - (51 ratings)