Zesty Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry
This Zesty Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, perfect for a satisfying one-dish meal. The succulent chicken pieces are combined with a vibrant medley of colorful vegetables, including bell peppers, carrots, and snow peas, all tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce that tantalizes the taste buds. With a satisfying crunch from the cashews and a hint of warmth from the cayenne pepper, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Serve it over a bed of fluffy rice for a complete meal that brings the bold flavors of Asian cuisine to your dinner table!
6
Servings
450
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
ketchup
1/2 cup (none)
low sodium soy sauce
4 teaspoons (or regular soy sauce, your choice)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons (none)
sugar
3 tablespoons (none)
sesame oil
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
cayenne pepper
1/2-1 teaspoon (adjust depending on heat preference)
chicken broth
1/2 cup (none)
cornstarch
2 tablespoons (none)
sugar
1/2 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
double boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 whole (cut into cubes)
oil
1/4 cup (for cooking)
minced fresh ginger
2-3 tablespoons (none)
minced garlic
1 tablespoon (none)
onion
1 small (chopped)
bell pepper
1 medium (sliced into strips (any color))
mushrooms
8 ounces (sliced)
carrot
1 (thinly sliced on diagonal)
snow peas
1 cup (none)
cashews
1 1/2 cups (none)
toasted sesame seeds
to taste (for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine ketchup, soy sauce, salt, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and cayenne pepper. Whisk together and set aside to let the flavors meld.
2
In a large resealable plastic bag, mix cornstarch, sugar, and salt. Add the cubed chicken to the bag, seal it tightly, and shake well to coat the chicken evenly with the cornstarch mixture.
3
In a wok or large frying pan, heat the oil over high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the coated chicken along with minced garlic, ginger, and chopped onion. Stir-fry for about 1 minute, or until the chicken is lightly browned on the outside.
4
Add the sliced bell pepper, mushrooms, and carrots to the pan. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables start to soften.
5
Toss in the snow peas and then pour the prepared sauce over the stir-fry. Cook while stirring until the sauce reaches a boil and thickens slightly.
6
Finally, mix in the cashews, allowing them to warm through. Serve immediately, garnished with toasted sesame seeds, over rice if desired.
Nutrition Information
23g
Fat
37.5g
Carbs
30g
Protein
4.2g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry?
It is a flavorful dish featuring succulent chicken, colorful vegetables, and crunchy cashews tossed in a sweet and spicy Asian-inspired sauce.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What are the main vegetables used in this stir-fry?
The stir-fry includes bell peppers, mushrooms, carrots, snow peas, and onions.
How do I prepare the chicken before cooking?
Cut the chicken breasts into cubes and shake them in a bag with cornstarch, sugar, and salt to coat them evenly.
What ingredients are in the stir-fry sauce?
The sauce consists of ketchup, soy sauce, salt, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and cayenne pepper.
Is this dish spicy?
Yes, it has a hint of warmth from cayenne pepper, which can be adjusted to your heat preference.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 450 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of this recipe?
Each serving contains about 30g of protein.
When should I add the cashews to the pan?
Mix in the cashews at the very end, just long enough to let them warm through before serving.
What kind of soy sauce should I use?
You can use either low sodium soy sauce or regular soy sauce.
How should I garnish this dish?
Garnish the finished stir-fry with toasted sesame seeds.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 23g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this meal?
There are 37.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
How long should I stir-fry the chicken initially?
Stir-fry the coated chicken for about 1 minute or until it is lightly browned on the outside.
What is the best way to slice the carrots?
The carrots should be thinly sliced on a diagonal.
Do I need a specific type of pan?
A wok is ideal, but a large frying pan will also work.
How much ginger is required?
The recipe calls for 2-3 tablespoons of minced fresh ginger.
What is the purpose of the cornstarch?
The cornstarch coats the chicken to help it brown and also helps thicken the sauce as it cooks.
How much garlic is included?
One tablespoon of minced garlic is used in the stir-fry.
Is there fiber in this dish?
Yes, there are 4.2g of fiber per serving.
What provides the sweetness in the sauce?
The sweetness comes from both the ketchup and the granulated sugar.
How should I serve this stir-fry?
It is best served immediately over a bed of fluffy rice.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe uses 3 whole double boneless skinless chicken breasts.
How do I prepare the bell peppers?
The bell peppers should be sliced into strips.
What heat setting should I use?
The stir-fry should be cooked over high heat.
Can I use any color of bell pepper?
Yes, you can use any color of bell pepper for this recipe.
How much oil is needed for cooking?
You will need 1/4 cup of oil for frying the chicken and vegetables.
How do I know when the sauce is ready?
The sauce is ready when it reaches a boil and thickens slightly.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 22 ingredients listed for this dish.
How long do the vegetables cook?
The bell peppers, mushrooms, and carrots stir-fry for 2-3 minutes before adding the snow peas.