Chicken With Cashews
A vibrant stir-fry featuring tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and toasted cashews in a savory sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or flavorful lunches.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. chicken
- 2 Tbsp. oil ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. fresh ginger, sliced ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. celery, sliced
- 1 c. carrots, thinly sliced
- 1/2 c. snow peas ⓘ
- 1/2 c. water chestnuts, sliced ⓘ
- 1 c. mushrooms, sliced ⓘ
- 3 c. chicken stock ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. vegetable seasoning
- 1 Tbsp. tamari (soy sauce) ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. arrowroot powder ⓘ
- 1/4 c. water ⓘ
- 1/2 c. whole cashews ⓘ
Instructions
- Cut chicken into strips 1/4 inch thick, 1/2 inch wide, and 1 1/2 inches long.
- In a wok, over medium heat, sauté ginger in oil. Remove ginger.
- Cook chicken until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
- Add sliced celery, carrots, snow peas, water chestnuts, and mushrooms; cook for 2 minutes.
- Add chicken stock and bring to a boil.
- Cover and steam for 2 minutes.
- Add vegetable seasoning, tamari, and arrowroot dissolved in 1/4 cup water.
- Stir until mixture is thickened.
- Add cashews and stir a couple of times.
- Serve immediately over brown rice or fried noodles.
Tips & Substitutions
For a quicker prep, use pre-cut vegetables or frozen stir-fry mixes. If you don’t have tamari, soy sauce is a suitable substitute. For a gluten-free option, ensure your soy sauce is gluten-free. Adjust the vegetables according to your preference or seasonal availability, such as using bell peppers or broccoli. For added flavor, incorporate garlic or chili flakes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish over brown rice or fried noodles for a satisfying meal. It pairs beautifully with a side of steamed broccoli or a light cucumber salad to balance the richness of the cashews. For a complete dinner, consider serving with a light appetizer like spring rolls or egg drop soup. Browse more Chinese recipes for additional inspiration.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or chicken stock to prevent drying out. Alternatively, microwave in a covered dish for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through for even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken With Cashews contains roughly 199 calories, with 10g protein, 16g carbohydrates, and 12g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin D (39% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2154mg per serving (94% 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 other types of nuts in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute cashews with peanuts or almonds if desired. Just be aware that the flavor and texture will change slightly. Toasting the nuts beforehand can enhance their flavor, so consider doing that regardless of the nut you choose.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add heat, include sliced fresh chili peppers or a dash of chili sauce when cooking the vegetables. You can also sprinkle red pepper flakes during the final stages of cooking for an extra kick. Adjust the amount based on your heat preference.
Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
Absolutely! You can replace the chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian option. Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock, and consider adding more vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to enhance the dish's heartiness.
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).