Not all meals hit the spot, but this one – this one does. Cashew chicken balances rich, savory depth with nutty crunch. There’s a boldness in its simplicity, and when it’s made fresh at home, it completely leaves those greasy takeout boxes in the dust.

This isn’t one of those overly complicated dishes that asks you to hunt down ingredients you’ll never use again. Everything here is likely already in your kitchen, or at least easy to find. The magic is in how quickly it comes together, and how it somehow still tastes like it took all afternoon.

Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

This one keeps things straightforward, but still full of flavor. Here’s what goes in:

• 1 lb chicken thighs or breasts, chopped into chunks
• ¾ cup raw cashews
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 small yellow onion, sliced thin
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp neutral oil (canola or avocado oil both work)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Green onions and sesame seeds (optional toppings)

Instructions

Preparation

This dish moves fast once the pan heats up, so you’ll want to have everything chopped and measured before you start cooking. Trust me, you don’t want to be slicing onions while the garlic is burning.

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. That’s your stir-fry sauce – set it aside and let it wait its turn.

Cooking

Grab your favorite large skillet or wok. Heat up the oil over medium-high. Add the cashews first and toast them until they’re golden brown. Remove and set them aside.

Now add the chicken to the pan. Spread it out so each piece gets a nice sear. Flip when it’s browned and let it cook through.

Toss in the sliced onions, red bell pepper, and garlic. Stir it around for a couple minutes – just enough to soften things without turning it into mush. Pour in your sauce, stir again, then add the toasted cashews back in.

Serving

Let the whole thing cook for another minute or two so the sauce thickens and clings to every piece. Then turn off the heat.

Spoon it over hot rice or noodles. Finish with green onions or sesame seeds if you’re feeling like making it Instagram-worthy.

Nutritional Value Per One Serving

Nutrition Facts
Calories: 390
Total Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 75mg
Sodium: 540mg
Total Carbohydrates: 16g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 5g
Protein: 33g

Tips and Variations

You can switch this up based on what you’ve got or how spicy you’re feeling. It’s a flexible dish:

• Lower the salt: Swap in low-sodium soy sauce
• Add greens: Broccoli, snow peas, or zucchini fit right in
• Turn up the heat: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a shot of sriracha works wonders

Conclusion

This cashew chicken stir fry gets it right without trying too hard. It’s got crunch, it’s got sauce, and it leaves you full without feeling like you overdid it.

Whether it’s your first time trying a cashew chicken easy recipe or it’s already part of your rotation, this one’s got that weeknight dinner magic. Reliable, quick, and full of flavor – just the way a homemade dinner should be.

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