Description

Enjoy a quick Cashew Chicken dinner featuring tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and a savory sauce crafted from natural ingredients. This flavorful and textured dish is perfect for busy weeknights or an impressive dinner with friends, balancing sweet, salty, and subtle spice notes for a nourishing meal everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

1 lb chicken breast or thigh, diced
1 cup roasted cashews

Aromatics

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
3 scallions, thinly sliced

Sauces and Seasonings (natural)

2 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
2 tbsp soy sauce (natural) or tamari for gluten-free
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
1 tsp brown sugar (natural)
1 tsp natural gelling agent
1 tsp sesame oil (natural)

Vegetables (optional)

1/2 cup bell peppers, chopped
1/2 cup snap peas

Instructions

Prep Your Ingredients: Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic and ginger finely, and slice the scallions into thin rings. If using vegetables, cut them into evenly sized pieces for even cooking.
Toast the Cashews: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast the cashews until golden and fragrant, then set them aside.
Cook the Chicken: In a hot pan, add a splash of sesame oil (natural) and sauté the chicken pieces until they are golden and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Build the Sauce: Using the same pan, add garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant. Stir in vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), soy sauce (natural), brown sugar (natural), and apple cider vinegar (natural). Sprinkle the natural gelling agent and mix well to thicken to a glossy sauce.
Combine and Finish: Return the chicken and toasted cashews to the pan. Toss to coat evenly in the sauce over medium heat. Add vegetables if desired and warm through. Garnish with scallions and a drizzle of sesame oil (natural) before serving.

Notes

Use room temperature chicken to ensure even cooking and tenderness.
Do not overcrowd the pan; cook chicken in batches if needed to achieve a good sear.
Toast cashews gently and watch carefully to avoid burning while achieving a perfect golden color and aroma.
Adjust sauce thickness by gradually adding the natural gelling agent until desired consistency is reached.
Fresh garlic and ginger enhance flavor intensity and freshness in the dish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 350
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: Cashew Chicken, quick dinner, gluten free, savory, natural ingredients, plant-based sauces, weeknight meal