Name: Cashew Chicken Delight Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup brown rice (uncooked); 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless); 2 tablespoons oyster sauce; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 8 garlic cloves; 6 carrots; 2 cups broccoli; 2 red peppers; 2 orange peppers; 2 yellow peppers; 2 cups bamboo shoots; 2 cups water chestnuts; 1 cup cashews; 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt; 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; soy sauce (optional) or peanut sauce (optional)

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Are you looking for a delicious and easy-to-prepare recipe for your next dinner party? Look no further because we have the perfect recipe: Cashew Chicken Delight! This Thai-inspired dish is a crowd-pleaser that will leave your guests delighted and asking for seconds.

This dish is the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savory flavors. It features tender chicken breasts stir-fried with crunchy cashews, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and crisp vegetables like broccoli and carrots. All these ingredients are cooked in a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice wine vinegar, chili garlic sauce, and Chinese five spice powder.

Whether you are a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, Cashew Chicken Delight is easy to prepare and takes only 30 minutes from start to finish. So why not treat yourself and your guests to this amazing dish tonight? Trust us; it will become a staple in your weeknight dinner rotation!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re looking for a chicken recipe with a twist, then you’ll love this amazing Thai cashew chicken delight that will tantalize your taste buds. This dish is cooked with cashew nuts and a sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Thai chili garlic sauce that creates an explosion of flavors in your mouth.

The chicken is tender and juicy, coated with Chinese five spice powder and roasted unsalted cashews that add an extra crunch to every bite. Plus, the vegetables such as water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, broccoli, and carrots are low-calorie options that are packed with nutrients, giving you a healthy yet scrumptious meal.

This stir fry takes less than 5 minutes to cook and can be served as a weeknight dinner or an entertaining party dish. It’s perfect for when you want to whip up something quick but also want a flavorful meal. The rice wine vinegar and Thai basil add an extra zing to the dish that elevates it into something special.

So if you’re craving for a satisfying meal that’s easy to make but will impress everyone, this sticky chicken Chinese recipe is the perfect choice for you!

Ingredient List

Pouring the delicious cashew chicken sauce over the tender chicken.

Below are the ingredients needed to make this amazing Thai cashew chicken recipe. Don’t worry, most of these ingredients can be found in your local grocery store, but you may need to visit an Asian market for some items.

For the Sauce:

1/2 cup of soy sauce
1/4 cup of oyster sauce
1/4 cup of rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon of chili garlic sauce

For the Stir-Fry:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup of roasted unsalted cashews
1 can of sliced water chestnuts
1 can of sliced bamboo shoots
1 head of broccoli cut into florets
2 carrots, peeled and julienned
4 garlic cloves, minced
8 dried thai chiles
1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
1 teaspoon of Chinese five spice powder
2 tablespoons of olive oil for frying

For Serving:

Steamed brown rice
Fresh thai basil leaves for garnish

The Recipe How-To

An irresistible mixture of crunchy cashews and tender chicken.

Step 1: Prep the ingredients

Before starting to cook, it is essential to have all the required ingredients readily available. First, gather boneless, skinless chicken breasts, broccoli, carrots, and chopped garlic cloves. In addition, prepare canned water chestnuts and bamboo shoots that will add a nice crunchy texture to the dish. Lastly, measure out some olive oil for cooking and a cup of roasted unsalted cashews to add richness to the dish.

Step 2: Cook the chicken

Cut the boneless skinless chicken breasts into one-inch pieces. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once heated, add chicken pieces and stir until it turns golden brown which should take about five minutes.

Step 3: Add garlic and veggies

To the skillet of chicken, add the prepped garlic cloves, chopped broccoli, sliced carrots, canned chopped water chestnuts, and bamboo shoots. Stir fry all ingredients for a couple of minutes until they are sauteed.

Step 4: Cashew sauce making

While ingredients are still cooking in Step three, whisk together 1/2 cup oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon Asian chili garlic sauce and one teaspoon Chinese five spice powder in mixing bowl.

Step 5: Add cashew nuts and sauce

Once the veggies are sauteed enough as desired, pour prepared cashew sauce in the skillet with vegetables mixture and stir very well ensuring that everything is properly incorporated. Sprinkle half of the roasted unsalted cashews on top of the skillet mixture and let it cook for about two more minutes.

Step 6: Plate up and serve

Remove from heat once you notice an attractive glaze and sprinkle rest of the unsalted roasted cashew on top just before serving.

Enjoy your delicious homemade cashew chicken stir-fry with brown rice for dinner tonight!

Substitutions and Variations

Vibrant colors and flavors bursting through this dish.

I know that not everyone may have access to the exact ingredients listed or may simply want to experiment with different flavors. Fear not! There are plenty of substitutions and variations you can make to this cashew chicken recipe.

Firstly, let’s talk about the vegetables. While I love using broccoli, carrots, water chestnuts, and bamboo shoots in this recipe, you can always use your favorite vegetables instead. Zucchini, bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms would all be great additions to this stir fry.

For a little kick of spice, you can add in some Thai chili peppers or crushed red pepper flakes. Or if you prefer a milder flavor, you can skip out on the Chinese five spice powder or reduce the amount of garlic cloves in the recipe.

If you don’t have oyster sauce on hand, simply substitute with hoisin sauce or soy sauce. Any of these options will give your stir fry that rich umami flavor.

When it comes to protein, I prefer using boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. However, you could also use boneless thighs or shrimp instead. If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, try swapping out the chicken for tofu or tempeh.

Finally, consider pairing this dish with different sides. Rather than serving it over brown rice (as the recipe suggests), you could try serving it over white rice or even noodles for a pad thai cashew twist. Or try adding Thai basil as a garnish for an extra burst of flavor.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to making substitutions and variations to this amazing Thai cashew chicken recipe. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make it your own!

Serving and Pairing

The aromatic smell of stir-fried chicken and veggies will get your mouth watering.

This Cashew Chicken Delight is an amazing Thai-inspired dish that is sure to impress at any dinner party. The dish is a beautiful balance of savory and sweet, with the perfect amount of crunch. The dish pairs perfectly with brown rice, which complements the soft texture of the chicken and cashews, and also adds a nutty flavor to the dish.

To really make this dish stand out at your dinner party, I recommend plating it on a large white platter with some fresh Thai basil leaves garnishing the sides. The green hues of the basil leaves work perfectly with the browns and whites in the dish, making for an impressive visual presentation.

This cashew chicken delight is a versatile dish that can be served as both a main course or as part of a multi-course meal. You can pair it with steamed vegetables like broccoli or carrots for a healthy addition.

If you are looking to create a more elaborate Asian spread, consider pairing this dish with other popular Asian dishes such Pad Thai Cashew or Sticky Chinese Chicken. These dishes complement each other well and make for a memorable spread.

One of my favorite ways to serve this dish is family-style, right from the wok – at the center of your table – where guests can serve themselves portions according to their preference. This adds not only to the aesthetic appeal but builds up an air of excitement and warmth around your dinner table.

Incorporating pieces from Thailand into your table setting is an excellent way to complete the meal’s mood. You can decorate your table using traditional Thai table runners or place mats and wooden chopsticks in different patterns that lend to an atmosphere of Eastern mystique.

All in all, serving this excellent cashew chicken delight will have everyone yearning for more until finally fully satiated after what promises to be an unforgettable culinary experience.

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

There's nothing better than a homemade dish that looks and tastes like restaurant quality. — There’s nothing better than a homemade dish that looks and tastes like restaurant quality.

This Cashew Chicken Delight recipe can be a time-saver when planned ahead. You can cut the vegetables and marinate the chicken in advance, up to 24 hours before cooking. The stir-fry sauce can also be made ahead of time and refrigerated for later use. To make it ahead, combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a jar or airtight container, and shake it well. It will keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.

To store any leftover chicken, separate the rice from the chicken and transfer them to separate airtight containers. Store in the fridge for up to three days. When ready to reheat, add a tablespoon of water to prevent it from drying out and microwave for 1-2 minutes until heated through.

For reheating purposes, transferring the rice into a microwave-safe container would be helpful as well. Microwave on high for about one minute per cup of cooked rice. Stir every 30 seconds, adding a splash of water if necessary, until heated through.

Whilst it is possible to store Cashew Chicken Delight in the freezer, we do not recommend freezing this dish as freezing may affect the quality of the vegetables’ crunch and the overall flavor of this tasty stir-fry recipe.

In conclusion, make-ahead and storage options are handy for meal prep weeknights or lunchtime leftovers. Ensure food safety measures by cooling dishes completely before refrigerating or reheating them to adequate temperatures before serving them again. This way, avoiding any bacterial growth will keep leftovers safe for consumption.

Tips for Perfect Results

Delightful and healthy cashew chicken that can satisfy any appetite.

To ensure that your Cashew Chicken Delight comes out deliciously, follow these tips and tricks:

Firstly, make sure to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. This will give you tender and juicy meat that cooks quickly in the stir-fry.

Secondly, roast your cashews before using them in the recipe. Roasting the nuts enhances their flavor and brings a delightful crunch to each bite. Simply place the cashews on a baking sheet and roast them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until they turn golden-brown.

Thirdly, don’t overcook the vegetables! The broccoli, water chestnuts, and bamboo shoots should be slightly crispy and vibrant in color. Overcooking them will cause them to lose their texture and color, resulting in a mushy stir-fry.

Fourthly, use Thai basil instead of regular basil. Thai basil has a unique flavor that complements the dish beautifully.

Fifthly, be sure to make the sauce according to the instructions. Mix together soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine vinegar, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, and Asian chili garlic sauce for an amazing Thai-inspired flavor.

Sixthly, heat your wok or pan until it’s smoking hot before adding any ingredients. This ensures that everything cooks quickly and stays crispy while developing a lovely smoky flavor.

Finally, serve this dish with brown rice or noodles for a complete meal that is both healthy and delicious. Sticky chicken or Pad Thai Cashew can also be paired as alternative if desired.

FAQ

Now that you have all the details you need to create a mouthwatering cashew chicken delight, it’s time to address some of the most commonly asked questions. From ingredient substitutions to cooking time to serving suggestions; in this section, you’ll find answers to all your FAQs regarding this recipe. So, let’s put on our chef hats and get started!

What is cashew chicken sauce made of?

To top off this delicious dish, I always include cashews and coat it in a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, honey, rice wine vinegar, ginger and Asian chili garlic sauce. You can easily find Asian chili garlic sauce in the Asian aisle of most grocery stores.

What is the difference between kung pao chicken and cashew chicken?

When it comes to stir-fry dishes, cashew chicken is a milder option compared to the spicier Kung Pao Chicken. The lightly sweetened brown sauce in cashew chicken works exceedingly well with the roasted cashews. This recipe was first published in July 2019 and remains just as delightful today.

How to make stir fried chicken with cashew nuts?

To start off, grab a generously sized wok or frying pan and toss in a few tablespoons of olive or peanut oil. Crank up the heat to high and toss in some pieces of chicken and cashew nuts. Give it a good stir for a couple of minutes until the chicken is cooked enough. Without any hesitation, mix in your choice of sauces and continue to stir until everything is evenly coated and heated through. Before wrapping up, give it a taste test and sprinkle a little sugar to balance any flavors, if needed.

What’s the difference between Springfield cashew chicken and regular cashew chicken?

The Springfield-style chicken dish is widely renowned for its delicious taste and unique preparation method. As compared to the commonly found cashew chicken in American-Chinese restaurants, this dish consists of crispy and boneless chicken pieces that are dipped in batter, fried and then coated in a savory brown gravy.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, the Cashew Chicken Delight Recipe is an amazing choice for your next weeknight dinner or party dish. This dish is versatile, flavorful and provides a perfect blend of sweet and savory taste. With the sauce made of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice wine vinegar, and chili garlic sauce, your taste buds will enjoy an explosion of flavors with every bite. And if you’re a fan of stir-fried dishes, you’ll also enjoy how easy and quick it is to prepare this dish.

You can customize this recipe based on your preferences by adding additional vegetables such as Thai basil, water chestnuts or bamboo shoots. The brown rice served alongside this dish creates a perfect balance of carbohydrates and protein while the unsalted cashews add an ideal crunch.

Overall, I highly recommend this amazing Thai cashew chicken recipe to anyone looking for a quick and delicious meal that satisfies both taste buds and nutritional needs. So don’t hesitate to give it a try – trust me, you’ll be glad you did!

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Anna

Anna is a culinary expert who specializes in grilling delicious BBQ dishes. She also enjoys sharing her recipes and experiences with her foodie community on her blog. She’s the total package for any backyard barbecue!

Delicious Cashew Chicken Recipe Your Family Will Love!