Description
Enjoy a quick and wholesome Cashew Chicken dinner featuring tender chicken breast, crunchy cashews, and vibrant fresh vegetables all coated in a savory natural sauce that perfectly balances sweetness and tanginess. This versatile and easy-to-make dish is ideal for busy weeknights and pairs wonderfully with rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Nuts
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3/4 cup raw cashews
Vegetables
- 1 cup sliced bell peppers (mixed colors)
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
Sauce (natural)
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (natural)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Oils and Finishes
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
To Serve
- Steamed rice or noodles, as desired
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces, slice the bell peppers, and thinly slice the green onions. Mince the garlic and ginger finely to release their flavors. Measure out the cashews and mix all sauce (natural) ingredients together, blending the cornstarch, water, and natural gelling agent to form a slurry.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining sesame oil if needed. Quickly sauté the minced garlic and ginger for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the bell peppers and cook just until crisp-tender, retaining their bright colors.
- Combine Sauce and Cashews: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Stir in the vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup (natural). Pour in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce, stirring constantly to avoid clumps. Add the cashews and toss everything together until the sauce coats all ingredients evenly and is heated through.
- Serve: Garnish the Cashew Chicken with the sliced green onions and a drizzle of sesame oil. Serve hot over steamed rice or your choice of noodles for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use fresh chicken breast trimmed of excess fat for tender texture.
- Keep vegetables crisp to maintain nutrients and vibrant colors.
- Toast cashews lightly in a dry pan beforehand for enhanced nutty flavor.
- Prepare the sauce mixture in advance to speed up cooking time.
- Stir constantly during sauce thickening to prevent clumps or sticking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Cashew Chicken, easy dinner, gluten free, quick recipe, Asian-inspired, healthy chicken stir fry, savory sauce (natural), plant-based sauce
