This Spicy Cashew Chicken is an easy version of a favorite take out dish ~ the chicken is tender, the flavors are authentic, and it’s got a satisfyingly spicy kick!
This one is a snap, especially if you are organized enough to keep all your Asian sauce ingredients in the same section of the refrigerator door. (I’m not.) When you break it down it’s just browned chicken quickly stir fried with garlic and ginger, scallions, cashews, and a few common sauce components. My husband and I agreed it was one of the best things we’ve had in a while. We polished it off way too quickly, and my only regret is that I didn’t double the batch.
One of the nice things about stir frying is that the food tastes very fresh. Nothing is overcooked, and the flavors pop. Even the scallions stay bright green! The chicken, the sweet/hot/sour sauce, and the strong crunchy cashew presence makes this really wonderful, I highly recommend it.
If you’re a dark meat type, use boneless chicken thighs in place of the breasts.
Oh, one other thing…good fresh cashews really make this dish. Try to find raw ones. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods are good sources. Even chain grocery stores start stocking all kinds of nuts for the holiday season, so you may be able to find them at your regular store.
Reader Rave ~
“Made this recipe and it was sooooo good! Everyone loved it – we are going to make it again soon. I wasn’t able to find the same red peppers so I used finely diced jalapeños and red pepper flakes and it was still great. Thanks a bunch!” ~ Micah
Spicy Cashew Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch piece of ginger, grated
- 2 dried hot red peppers, sliced, seeds and all (or about 1 - 2 tsp red pepper flakes, to taste)
- 1 bunch, about 10, green onions, sliced, both white parts and green parts
- 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 3 Tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 Tbsp tamari soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar, optional
- 1/2 cup water
- several dashes sesame oil
- 3/4 cup raw cashews that have been lightly toasted, see note below
- snipped chives for garnish
- Cooked white or brown rice
Instructions
- In a small bowl, toss the chicken pieces with the cornstarch, making sure to get all the chicken coated.
- Heat the oil in a wok or large saute pan over medium high heat. When the oil is nice and hot, brown the chicken on all sides. Do this in batches, so you don't crowd the chicken. The chicken needs space in the pan to brown well. Set the browned chicken aside on a plate.
- Add the garlic, ginger, and hot pepper to the pan and stir fry for a few minutes. Add most of the scallions, (reserve a handful for garnishing later.) and the chicken back into the pan and toss to combine.
- Add the vinegar, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, if using, and the water to the pan. Mix everything well,bring up to a simmer and cook gently for a minute or two until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick and glossy. Taste it now to see if you want to adjust any seasonings.
- Add the cashews to the sauce, and sprinkle on a few dashes of the sesame oil. Serve over hot rice garnished with the rest of the scallions, and some snipped chives. I also threw on a few more cashews.
Notes
notes:
- Craving more Asian dishes? Try my Mahogany Chicken Wings, or my Firecracker Chicken.
I’ve made this recipe so many times throughout the years and it is always amazing. Family members ask for the recipe. Give this a try….you wont be disappointed.
Thanks Mel ~ this is an oldie but goodie 🙂
Hey Sue, nice recipe. Just one thing: Chinese food is stir-fried over a high flame: meats, so they stay moist inside and veggies so they crisp up without steaming.
Good point Kimi, you can definitely benefit from cranking up the heat for sure.
A simple but amazing recipe! Love!
Made this recipe and it was sooooo good! Everyone loved it – we are going to make it again soon. I wasn’t able to find the same red peppers so I used finely diced jalapeños and red pepper flakes and it was still great. Thanks a bunch!
So glad you enjoyed it Micah.
This is amazing. Cashew Chicken is one of my favorite Asian dishes ..
Me too! Hope you enjoy it 🙂