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Saucy, sticky, crispy, sweet, and savory Cashew Chicken! This recipe is just like your favorite takeout, but made easy at home.
This saucy, sticky, sweet, and savory cashew chicken recipe is a winner. It’s my favorite recipe of the month and will definitely lift you out of any winter slumps with its amazing texture, flavor, and jazziness. It’s a fun and delicious dish that’s sure to impress.
This cashew chicken recipe is inspired by a Cheesecake Factory copycat recipe, which I absolutely love. It’s a simpler version with a shorter ingredient list, making it easy to whip up at home.
The result is absolutely glorious. Tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken, coated in a crispy batter, tossed in a quick, sticky-sweet soy and garlic sauce, and finished off with a handful of cashews. This dish is best served over steaming hot rice with a side of veggies, like steamed or roasted broccoli. But let’s be real, you might not even make it to the table before digging into the pan for a taste.
Once the garlic, ginger, and soy sauce hit the pan, the aroma will have everyone within a 10-mile radius running to your kitchen. It’s a truly magical moment.
In This Post: Everything You Need For Cashew Chicken
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Ingredients To Make Cashew Chicken
While this is somewhat of a clear-the-counters-and-put-on-your-apron kind of recipe, it doesn’t take as much effort or ingredients as you’d think.
Here’s what you need:
- Chicken
- Dry ingredients (flour, cornstarch, etc.)
- Batter (easy to make!)
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Cashews
- Sauce (soy sauce, hoisin sauce, vinegar, ginger, etc.)
- Green onions for topping
If you want to enhance the sesame flavor, consider adding a dash of toasted sesame oil as well!
How To Make Cashew Chicken
First, do a little prep work by cutting the chicken into cubes, mixing the dry ingredients in a bowl, preparing the batter for frying, and possibly whisking together the sauce for a seamless cooking process.
Then, it’s time to work your magic.
- Coat the chicken in the dry ingredients and then in the batter.
- Heat oil in a large skillet for frying. (You can test the temperature by dropping a bit of batter and seeing if it sizzles, or aim for a range of 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit.)
- Fry the chicken in batches, ensuring each piece is crispy.
- Remove excess oil and return the chicken to the pan. Add the sauce and cashews.
- Serve the saucy chicken over rice and veggies, and enjoy!
Deep-Fried Vs. Stir-Fried
Traditionally, cashew chicken can be made two ways: stir-fried in a pan or wok, or deep-fried. The deep-fried version provides a crispy texture that pairs perfectly with the sauce in this recipe.
If you prefer to skip the deep-frying step, you can opt for stir-frying the chicken in a pan and then adding the sauce at the end. It’s a simple alternative that still yields delicious results.
For deep-frying, consider tossing all the chicken in flour before coating it in batter to make the process easier. Once in the hot oil, use two forks to separate the chicken pieces for even frying.
Cashew Chicken: Frequently Asked Questions
Cashew chicken is a Chinese-American dish that can be either stir-fried or deep-fried. The deep-fried version, like the one we’re making here, originated in Springfield, Missouri. It was created by chef David Leong, who aimed to create a dish that catered to American tastes. Thank you, David!
Absolutely! If you prefer not to fry the chicken, you can stir-fry it in a pan and then add the sauce at the end for a delicious alternative.
Yes, tofu can be a great substitute for chicken in this recipe. Consider skipping the batter and deep-frying steps and explore crispy tofu options for a tasty alternative.
Leftovers may lose some crispiness but are still enjoyable. To revive the crispiness, reheat the chicken in a pan over medium-high heat.
Absolutely! Feel free to add green beans, bell peppers, snow peas, or any other veggies of your choice to enhance the dish.
Yes, you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. However, chicken breasts are recommended for a tender and less greasy result in this specific recipe.
To make this dish healthier, consider stir-frying the chicken instead of frying, using brown rice instead of white rice, adding more veggies, or serving the chicken in lettuce cups for a lighter option.
Other Necessary Takeout-Style Recipes
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