Cashew Chicken

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Cashew Chicken is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and vibrant vegetables in a savory sauce. This popular dish often appears in Chinese-American cuisine and can be made in different styles, from stir-fried to saucy.

Here’s a classic recipe for Cashew Chicken:

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb (450g) chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup cashews, unsalted
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 green onions, chopped for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced (optional but recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed with 2 tablespoons of water (slurry)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions:

  1. Prep the chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  2. Toast the cashews: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast the cashews until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
  3. Cook the chicken: In a large pan or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden and fully cooked, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
  4. Stir-fry the vegetables: In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Stir in the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and ginger. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
  5. Make the sauce: Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and chicken broth to the pan. Stir everything together and bring to a simmer.
  6. Thicken the sauce: Slowly add the cornstarch slurry while stirring constantly. Let the sauce thicken for 1-2 minutes.
  7. Combine everything: Return the cooked chicken to the pan, tossing it in the sauce along with the toasted cashews. Stir until everything is well coated and heated through.
  8. Serve: Garnish with green onions and serve hot over rice.

Enjoy the balance of textures and flavors in this savory dish—tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and the umami-packed sauce! Would you like to try a specific variation of this dish?

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