Why we love this cashew chicken recipe
This Chinese cashew chicken is truly amazing. It’s just as good as my Chinese chicken and broccoli, but with an added nuttiness and a hint of sweetness. Plus, it’s packed with lots of vegetables that make you feel good about yourself. Being naturally dairy-free, as most Asian-style foods are, we don’t need to make any crazy substitutions or adjustments; we can enjoy this recipe exactly as it is.
You can serve it with anything you like, but I suggest simple jasmine rice, as it closely resembles Chinese takeout white rice. To round out the meal, consider a basic salad with some ginger dressing.
More takeout-inspired recipes: Thai basil chicken / easy peanut noodles / slow cooker pepper steak stir fry / dairy free butter chicken
Ingredient notes:
- Chicken – Slice the chicken against the grain. This gives chicken the perfect texture and makes it more like restaurant style chicken and broccoli.
- Baking soda – The baking soda causes a chemical reaction with the vinegar that’s in the sauce. That’s why we don’t add mix it together right away. But, when they do come together, they cause a foaming reaction that creates a light and airy sauce. I know it’s weird, but trust me, it works.
- Soy sauce – Most traditional soy sauces are made with wheat, which contains gluten. To make this recipe gluten free, you can use a gluten free soy sauce or tamari instead.
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
The following is a detailed overview of the recipe steps with added tips and tricks for recipe success. For a simplified and printable version, including ingredient amounts and more formal instructions, see the recipe card below.
How to make chinese cashew chicken
Whisk the sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients. Set aside for later.
Cook the chicken. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or wok. Add chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
Cook the veggies. Add broccoli and bell pepper to skillet. Sauté until tender, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
Pull it all together. Leaving the broccoli and peppers in the skillet, add the remaining ingredients to the pan with sauce and chicken. Cook until heated through and sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes.
More chicken recipes: mayonnaise chicken / Thai chicken meatball curry / chicken teriyaki bowls / chicken and chorizo risotto
Chinese Cashew Chicken
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth, or water
For the chicken:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 1/4 pounds chopped chicken tenders or breast
- 1 head broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2/3 cup cashew halves and pieces
- 1 8- ounce can sliced water chestnuts
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients. Set aside.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or wok. Add chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
- Add broccoli and bell pepper to skillet. Sauté until tender, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients to pan with sauce and chicken. Cook until heated through and sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
What is the purpose of the baking soda?
It actually causes a chemical reaction with the vinegar, giving the sauce more of fluffy texture. I can’t explain it, but it just works. I use it in my chicken and broccoli recipe too, and it makes it perfect.
Why do the images show sesame seeds? yet none in the recipe.
It’s just a garnish to make it pretty. You can add some toasted sesame seeds if you want, but they don’t make or break the dish.
Should I use raw cashews or roasted?
You can use either!
At what point do you add the baking soda?
You can add the baking soda when it says to add the remaining ingredients.
I’ve made your recipe once before but forgot to comment on just how wonderful it is. My oldest and I love this recipe. I am making it for the Super Bowl today and plan on sharing pictures to my Instagram and Facebook with tags because I want others to know about this recipe and be able to make it. happy Super Bowl Sunday. Have a kick ass day. This recipe is perfect as is!
Everyone loved this recipe will make it again.