Chicken and cashews is a flavorful and popular dish in various cuisines, especially in Chinese-American cooking. It combines tender chicken with crunchy cashews in a savory sauce. Here’s a simple and delicious recipe to make Chicken with Cashews at home:
Chicken with Cashews Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound (450 grams) chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or sesame oil
- 1/2 cup cashews (lightly toasted if desired)
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (red, green, or yellow)
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 cup broccoli florets (optional)
- 1/2 cup snap peas (optional)
- 2-3 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
For the Marinade:
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine or dry sherry
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional, can replace with extra soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch. Add the chicken pieces and mix well to coat. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour for more flavor.
2. Prepare the Sauce:
- In a separate bowl, mix together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and chicken broth. If you prefer a thicker sauce, dissolve 1 teaspoon of cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water and stir it into the sauce mixture.
3. Cook the Chicken:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
- In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed. Add the sliced onion, bell pepper, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Add the broccoli florets and snap peas (if using) and continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are cooked but still vibrant.
5. Combine and Serve:
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Stir well to coat everything evenly and heat through.
- Add the cashews and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the cashews are warmed through and the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
6. Serve:
- Serve the Chicken with Cashews over steamed rice or noodles.
Tips:
- Cashews: Lightly toasting the cashews before adding them to the dish can enhance their flavor and crunch.
- Vegetables: Feel free to customize the vegetables based on what you have on hand or your preferences. Bell peppers, snap peas, and broccoli are common choices, but you can also use carrots, mushrooms, or baby corn.
- Spiciness: If you like some heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped chili to the stir-fry.
Enjoy your homemade Chicken with Cashews, a savory and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a quick and delicious meal!
