Description
Chinese Cashew Chicken is a quick dinner packed with tender chicken, crisp broccoli, red bell pepper, and crunchy cashews tossed in a glossy savory sauce. This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, easy dinner planning, family dinner ideas, and homemade takeout cravings when you want bold food ideas with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cups broccoli florets
1 red bell pepper, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
3/4 cup cashews
2 green onions, sliced
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
1. Toss the chicken breast pieces with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and mostly cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
4. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet.
5. Stir-fry the broccoli and red bell pepper for 3 to 4 minutes until crisp-tender.
6. Add the garlic and fresh ginger, then cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
7. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, chicken broth, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and sesame oil.
8. Pour the sauce into the skillet and stir until it starts to bubble.
9. Return the chicken to the skillet and toss well to coat.
10. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and the chicken is fully cooked.
11. Stir in the cashews and green onions.
12. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve hot over rice or noodles.
Notes
Cut the chicken into even pieces so it cooks quickly and stays tender.
Have the sauce mixed before you start cooking because stir-fry recipes move fast.
Add the cashews at the end so they stay crunchy instead of softening in the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Chinese Cashew Chicken, easy dinner, quick dinner, chicken stir-fry, homemade takeout, weeknight dinner, food ideas, dinner ideas