Cashew Chicken

Name: Cashew Chicken
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes; 2 tsp cornstarch (for marinade); 2 tsp soy sauce (for marinade); 2/3 cup raw or roasted cashews; 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 zucchini, sliced into half-moons; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced; 2 tbsp oyster sauce; 2 tbsp soy sauce (for sauce); 2 tsp hoisin sauce; 2 tsp toasted sesame oil; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 4 green onions, sliced

A quick Chinese-American stir fry of tender chicken thigh pieces, crunchy cashews, and crisp vegetables in a savory, lightly sweet sauce that comes together in minutes.

40 minEasyServes 4400 cal/serving

ChineseDinnerStovetopHigh ProteinHigh FiberLow CarbDairy-FreeLow-SodiumPork-Free

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tsp cornstarch (for marinade)
2 tsp soy sauce (for marinade)
2/3 cup raw or roasted cashews
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 zucchini, sliced into half-moons
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
2 tbsp oyster sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce (for sauce)
2 tsp hoisin sauce
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
2 tbsp vegetable oil
4 green onions, sliced

Instructions

1

In a bowl, toss 1.5 lbs cut into 1-inch cubes boneless, skinless chicken thighs with 2 tsp cornstarch (for marinade) and 2 tsp soy sauce (for marinade). Set aside for 15 minutes.
2

In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce (for sauce), and 2 tsp hoisin sauce to make the sauce.
3

Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. If using raw 2/3 cup raw or roasted cashews, add them first and toast for 1-2 minutes until golden; remove and set aside. If using roasted cashews, skip this step.
4

Add the marinated chicken to the hot wok in a single layer. Sear for 2 minutes without stirring, then stir fry for another 2 minutes until cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Transfer to a plate.
5

In the same wok, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp minced fresh ginger. Stir fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6

Add 1 cut into 1-inch pieces red bell pepper and 1 sliced into half-moons zucchini. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp.
7

Return the chicken to the wok. Pour the sauce over everything and toss to coat. Cook for 1 minute.
8

Remove from heat. Add cashews, 2 tsp toasted sesame oil, and half the 4 sliced green onions. Toss to combine. Serve over steamed rice, garnished with remaining green onions.

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Questions

What internal temperature should Cashew Chicken reach?

For Cashew Chicken, the target internal temperature is 165 F (about 75 C), given in step 4. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Is toasting the nuts or seeds for Cashew Chicken necessary?

Step 3 reads: "If using raw 2/3 cup raw or roasted cashews, add them first and toast for 1-2 minutes until golden; remove and set aside." It is quick and it shows. Step 3 browns the natural oils, which deepens the flavor; raw, they taste flat by comparison. Watch the pan, because they go from toasted to burnt in under a minute.

Is there a substitute for hoisin sauce in Cashew Chicken?

The entry for Cashew Chicken calls for 2 tsp hoisin sauce. In its place: Stir together equal parts soy sauce and smooth peanut butter or miso, with a little honey and a drop of rice vinegar.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs in Cashew Chicken?

Yes, with care. Breasts dry out sooner: pull them at 165 F, which usually means a few minutes less than the thighs would take. As written, the entry for Cashew Chicken uses 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes.

Does Cashew Chicken contain tree nuts?

Yes: 2/3 cup raw or roasted cashews. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, tree nuts, soy, shellfish and sesame. Where the nuts are a garnish or a texture, toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds stand in. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

How much protein is in Cashew Chicken?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) has 21 g of protein in about 400 calories, alongside 10 g carbohydrate and 31 g fat, plus 8 g fiber and 194 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list. More like it: the high-protein dinner collection.

Serve it with

Stir-Fried Chinese Broccoli with Garlic side
Spicy Garlic Cucumber Salad salad
Ginger Scallion Sauce sauce
Winter Melon and Goji Tea drink

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