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Spicy Cashew Chicken

Spicy Cashew Chicken
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A quick and flavorful Spicy Cashew Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken, crunchy roasted cashews, and a vibrant spicy sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this dish balances heat, sweetness, and umami with versatile serving options and adjustable spice levels.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein & Nuts

  • 1 lb boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3/4 cup roasted unsalted cashew nuts

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 3 green onions, chopped (separate white and green parts)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1–2 teaspoons sriracha or chili paste (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Cooking

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Ingredients: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces for even cooking. Mince the garlic, grate fresh ginger, slice the red bell pepper, and chop green onions. Organize all ingredients before cooking for efficiency.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, and cornstarch until smooth. This sauce will thicken and coat the chicken during cooking.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
  4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables: In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Add garlic, ginger, and red bell pepper. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly tender but still crunchy.
  5. Combine Everything: Return the cooked chicken to the pan along with cashews. Pour the prepared sauce over the mixture and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the chicken and vegetables.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped green onion greens on top for color and freshness. Serve hot over steamed rice, noodles, or your preferred side.

Notes

  • Pre-toast cashews lightly for enhanced crunch and flavor.
  • Cook chicken in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the pan and achieve proper browning.
  • Mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to the sauce to ensure a smooth, lump-free texture.
  • Use fresh ginger and garlic to maximize vibrant and aromatic flavors.
  • Adjust spice and sweetness levels gradually to balance heat without overpowering the dish.

Nutrition

Keywords: spicy cashew chicken, easy dinner, stir-fry, quick recipe, spicy chicken, cashew nuts

Find it online: https://mealsbysarah.com/spicy-cashew-chicken/