If you love bold flavors, crispy textures, and a bit of heat, this Spicy Cashew Chicken is the perfect dish for you! This easy stir-fry is packed with tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and a savory-spicy sauce that’s full of depth. It’s ready in under 30 minutes, making it a great weeknight meal that’s even better than takeout!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
✔ 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)
✔ 2 tbsp cornstarch
✔ 2 tbsp vegetable oil
For the Sauce:
✔ ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
✔ 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
✔ 1 tbsp rice vinegar
✔ 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
✔ 1 tsp sesame oil
✔ 1 tbsp sriracha (adjust for spice level)
✔ 2 cloves garlic (minced)
✔ 1 tsp fresh ginger (grated)
✔ ¼ cup water
For the Stir-Fry:
✔ ½ cup unsalted cashews (toasted)
✔ 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
✔ 1 green bell pepper (chopped)
✔ ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
✔ 2 green onions (sliced)
✔ Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
1. Coat & Cook the Chicken
- In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, sriracha, garlic, ginger, and water until well combined.
3. Stir-Fry Everything
- In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tbsp oil and toss in the bell peppers. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
- Return the chicken to the pan, then pour in the sauce.
- Add the cashews and red pepper flakes (if using) and stir to coat everything evenly.
- Cook for 2-3 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
4. Garnish & Serve
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles and enjoy!
Serving Ideas
🍚 Pair with jasmine or brown rice for a complete meal.
🥢 Serve with stir-fried veggies like broccoli or snow peas.
🔥 Adjust the spice level by adding more sriracha or red pepper flakes.
Pro Tips
✔ Toast the cashews in a dry pan for extra crunch and flavor.
✔ Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier texture.
✔ Double the sauce for extra flavor to drizzle over rice or noodles.
This Spicy Cashew Chicken is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, crunchy, and spicy—a homemade takeout favorite you’ll want to make again and again! 🍛🔥🥢
