Cashew Chicken-Licken
Cashew Chicken-Licken offers a savory blend of tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and seasoned rice, perfect for a hearty, family-friendly meal with rich flavors and textures.
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain rice ⓘ
- 2 cups water ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 cup diced onion ⓘ
- 1/3 cup diced celery ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon diced green pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 cup margarine, butter, oil, or chicken fat ⓘ
- 1 cup cooked chicken, cubed ⓘ
- 1/3 cup chopped cashews (salted, split) ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
Instructions
- Bring 2 cups of water and salt to a boil.
- Add the rice and let the water return to a boil.
- Lower the heat to simmer and cook for 14 minutes.
- Meanwhile, sauté diced onion, celery, and green pepper in fat until tender.
- Combine the sautéed vegetables with cooked rice.
- Add the cooked chicken, chopped cashews, black pepper, nutmeg, Worcestershire sauce, and salt to the rice mixture.
- Place in a greased 2-quart capacity baking dish.
- Bake in a 350-degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
Tips & Substitutions
For enhanced flavor, consider adding a splash of soy sauce or sesame oil when sautéing the vegetables. If you want a crunchier texture, you can substitute the cashews with chopped peanuts. If you have cooked rice on hand, you can skip the boiling step and simply combine the ingredients directly in the baking dish. This dish pairs well with stir-fried vegetables or a simple green salad.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Cashew Chicken-Licken with a side of steamed broccoli or a fresh cucumber salad to balance the richness of the dish. For a complete meal, pair it with your favorite Asian-inspired recipes like Baked Teriyaki Chicken or Mandarin Chinese Stir-Fry. Garnish with additional chopped cashews or fresh herbs for an extra touch of flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water to the dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes until warmed thoroughly.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cashew Chicken-Licken contains roughly 1284 calories, with 15g protein, 113g carbohydrates, and 95g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (146% of the Daily Value), iron (59% of the Daily Value), and calcium (39% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1196mg per serving (52% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use raw chicken instead of cooked?
Yes, you can use raw chicken by sautéing it first in the pan with the vegetables until fully cooked. Just ensure that the chicken is cooked through before mixing it with the rice and other ingredients.
What can I substitute for cashews?
If you have nut allergies or prefer a different flavor, you can substitute cashews with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. For a crunchier texture, chopped almonds or peanuts can also work well in this recipe.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! To make this dish vegetarian, substitute the chicken with cooked tofu or tempeh. Use vegetable broth instead of water when cooking the rice, and add more vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas for added texture and nutrition.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).