Cashew Chicken Stir-fry

This Cashew Chicken Stir-fry is my answer to nights when I want something that tastes like a takeout miracle but didn’t require arguing with delivery drivers. It’s sweet, salty, a little nutty, and suspiciously easy to make — like finding money in your couch cushions except healthier. Yes, this pan is too small. No, I won’t wash fewer dishes. Try it because it makes you look like you have your life together for approximately 27 minutes.

Once, I tried to multitask this while helping my kid build a “volcano” out of Play-Doh (which, spoiler, is never going to erupt). I accidentally tossed the cashews in with the broccoli instead of after the sauce. The kid named the dish “Crunchy Mystery,” and my husband declared it a new family heirloom. I cried into the soy sauce, laughed, then ate three helpings. Chaos: 1, dignity: 0. But hey, we survived and the smoke alarm didn’t get involved. Mostly.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Pre-slice everything the night before. It’s like meal prep, but lazier and more satisfying.
– Use pre-roasted cashews and pre-cut stir-fry veg if you’re pretending you’re not tired. I won’t tell.
– One-pan cheat: Start the chicken, move it to the plate, toss greens in the same pan, then combine. Fewer pans = imaginary virtue.
– Microwave rice while you’re stir-frying. Yes, it’s technically a sin to microwave rice, but also you’re hungry.
– Skip cornstarch slurry if you can’t be bothered. Sauce will be thinner, but life goes on.

Serving Ideas

– Serve over jasmine or brown rice because carbohydrates are love languages.
– Throw it on noodles if you’re feeling saucy and rebellious.
– Garnish with extra cashews and scallions for the “look how fancy I am” vibe.
– Serve with wine if the kids drove you nuts; with diet soda if the dog did something mysterious on the carpet.
– Or just eat it straight from the skillet while hiding in the pantry. No judgment here.

What to Serve It With

– Simple sides: steamed broccoli, a quick cucumber salad, or those frozen edamame bags you forget about until they’re essential.
– Saucy sides: extra chili oil or Sriracha for people who like to flirt with danger.
– Drinks: I recommend something cold. Water if you’re pretending to be healthy; something stronger if you’re being honest.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t overcrowd the pan. Crowd it and you’ll steam your chicken into sad, gray bites. I’ve been there; it’s tragic.
– Brown the chicken well. Flavor lives in those brown bits and also in your ability to look like you know what you’re doing.
– Add cashews at the end unless you enjoy chewing on crunchy charcoal. Roasting them beforehand is allowed and encouraged.
– If the sauce is too thick, splash in water (or stock) a little at a time. If it’s too thin, simmer it quickly to concentrate. Or just accept it. Humans survived without perfect sauce for millennia.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh. Keep in an airtight container up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet so the cashews don’t go chewy and so the chicken doesn’t audition for rubber band roles.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts. Use tofu or tempeh to go vegetarian, swap cashews for almonds if you’re allergic to living dangerously, or add pineapple if you want a tropical betrayal of expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cashew Chicken Stir-fry

This Cashew Chicken Stir-fry is a delicious and quick meal packed with flavor!

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 1 pound boneless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
• ▢ 0.5 cup cashews unsalted
• ▢ 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• ▢ 1 tablespoon cornstarch for thickening
• ▢ 1 cup mixed vegetables bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• In a bowl, toss chicken pieces with soy sauce and cornstarch. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and stir-fry until cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
• Add mixed vegetables and cashews. Stir-fry for another 3-5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
• Serve hot with rice or noodles.

Notes

This dish is great served with jasmine rice or noodles.