Spicy Stir-Fry Chicken With Cashews
A vibrant spicy stir-fry featuring tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and fiery chili peppers, perfect for those craving bold flavors and quick, satisfying meals.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp oyster-flavored sauce
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar ⓘ
- 2 tsp cornstarch ⓘ
- 1/3 cup water ⓘ
- 12 oz skinless, boneless chicken breast halves ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil ⓘ
- 1 medium onion ⓘ
- 2 to 5 red chili peppers, seeded and cut into thin strips ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic ⓘ
- 1/2 cup cashews
- Hot cooked rice ⓘ
Instructions
- Wear gloves to cut red chili peppers since they can burn the skin.
- In a small bowl, mix oyster-flavored sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and water to make the sauce.
- Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips.
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken strips and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- Add sliced onion and red chili peppers; stir-fry for 2 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Pour in the sauce mixture and stir well to coat all ingredients.
- Add cashews and cook for another 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Serve hot over cooked rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a milder dish, reduce the number of red chili peppers or omit them entirely. You can substitute chicken with tofu for a vegetarian version or use shrimp for a seafood twist. If you don't have oyster sauce, you can mix soy sauce with a little sugar as an alternative. Ensure the chicken is cut uniformly to guarantee even cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Spicy Stir-Fry Chicken with hot cooked rice, which soaks up the delicious sauce. For a complete meal, consider adding steamed vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli. This dish pairs beautifully with Shrimp And Ham Fried Rice for a varied spread or can be enjoyed alongside a light Chinese Rice And Pea Salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of water if necessary to prevent drying out. This dish can also be enjoyed cold in a salad or wrap.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spicy Stir-Fry Chicken With Cashews contains roughly 712 calories, with 7g protein, 97g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is a good source of protein (14% of the Daily Value), iron (12% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 841mg per serving (37% 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?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but it's best to thaw it completely before cooking to ensure even cooking and texture. If you're short on time, you can also use pre-cooked chicken strips, reducing the cooking time accordingly.
What can I substitute for cashews?
If you have nut allergies or prefer a different texture, try using peanuts or sunflower seeds as a substitute for cashews. Alternatively, omit the nuts entirely for a nut-free version while still enjoying the rich flavors of the stir-fry.
Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This stir-fry is perfect for meal prep. Cook it in advance and store in single-serving containers. Just be sure to keep the rice separate until you're ready to eat, as it can become soggy when stored together.
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).