Chinese Chicken With Cashews
A flavorful Chinese chicken stir-fry with crunchy cashews and vibrant green peppers, featuring savory soy sauce and ginger for a perfect quick, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. oil ⓘ
- 2 chicken breasts (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 lb.) boned, skinned and cut in 3/4-inch cubes ⓘ
- 2 cloves minced garlic ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. sherry ⓘ
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. minced fresh ginger or 1/4 tsp. dried
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 c. chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, cut in 3/4-inch cubes ⓘ
- 2/3 c. cashew halves ⓘ
Instructions
- Pour oil into a large microwave-safe cooking container with a cover. Combine all other ingredients except cornstarch, broth, green pepper, and cashews.
- Heat the oil alone for 1 minute in the microwave.
- Add the chicken mixture, cover, and cook for 4 minutes, stirring twice.
- Add the green pepper and cashews to the container.
- Cover and cook for 6 minutes, stirring twice.
- Mix cornstarch in the chicken broth and add to the container. Cook for an additional 1 1/2 minutes, stirring twice.
- Let stand, covered, for 2 or more minutes before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider marinating the chicken in soy sauce and sherry for 30 minutes before cooking. If you don't have cashews, try using peanuts as a substitute for a similar texture. For a spicier kick, add sliced red chilies or a dash of chili sauce. Ensure the chicken is cut evenly for consistent cooking and tenderness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish over a bed of steamed rice or alongside stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Chicken With Peanuts for a delightful combination of flavors. Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a lid or microwave-safe wrap, and heat on medium power until warmed through, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chinese Chicken With Cashews contains roughly 461 calories, with 17g protein, 40g carbohydrates, and 26g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (34% of the Daily Value), iron (25% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2229mg per serving (97% 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 frozen chicken for this recipe?
While fresh chicken is preferred for its texture and flavor, you can use frozen chicken if it's properly thawed before cooking. Make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight for best results, and adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure it's fully cooked through.
What can I use instead of sherry?
If you don't have sherry, you can substitute it with dry white wine or rice vinegar mixed with a little sugar for sweetness. While the flavor will differ slightly, this will still provide a nice acidity and depth to the dish.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To adapt this recipe for a vegetarian diet, replace the chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Ensure to crisp the tofu for better texture and flavor, and follow the same cooking instructions for best results.
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).