This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken recipe is my homemade version of our favorite Chinese take-out dish from our local neighborhood Chinese restaurant.
Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken
My Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken recipe is a spicy, flavorful Chinese food recipe with chicken, cashews, vegetables in an awesome sauce that can be on the table in 30 minutes.
My Mother-in-Law is a HUGE fan of cashews. She loves that buttery, nutty flavor of the cashews, so much so that we can’t keep them in the house because she will eat the whole container of cashews if we let her.
However, she told me she was not a fan of Chinese food. She would eat it, but it was not her favorite. However, I knew I could make a Chinese dish that she would love. All I had to do was add cashews. Of course, I decided to make this awesomely delicious Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken! She had to love it because it was loaded with cashews!! Whoot Whoot!
Why Should I Make Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken?
This Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken is also quick and easy to make. You can have dinner on the table in 30 minutes, and that is probably about how long it would take for the Chinese take out. It actually may be faster than the Chinese take out.
What Ingredients Do I Need To Make Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken?
All you need to make this Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken is a pound of chicken breast tenders cut into bite-sized cubes, some cornstarch, plus salt and pepper, chopped red and green bell peppers, cashews, and green onions.
How Do I Make Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken?
Coat the chicken with the seasoned cornstarch.
Cook the chicken in a wok or skillet, such as a cast-iron skillet, with oil. Add the red and green bell peppers and cook for a few minutes until the peppers are softened.
Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken Sauce
What really makes this Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken pop is the sauce. Just as my Mother-in-Law is a huge fan of cashews, I am just as big a fan of hoisin sauce. I love it. I could put it on everything. I think it was the best condiment ever made! OK, it may be a toss-up between hoisin and Sriracha. Thank goodness, I don’t have to choose because they pair so nicely together.
The sauce for this Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken is made with soy sauce, hoisin, sesame oil, brown sugar, minced garlic and ginger, and crushed red pepper. Since I was out of Sriracha, I added crushed red pepper flakes instead.
Just pour the sauce over the Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken and cook for about 5 minutes. Add chopped green onions and sesame seeds to garnish and you are ready to serve! Voila!
Tips For Perfect Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken Every Time
Make sure that the cast iron skillet, or wok, is hot before adding oil and chicken. This is important to get the right texture of the chicken with the cornstarch and for the chicken to cook quickly.
Use an oil that can withstand the high heat, such as peanut oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil. Do NOT use Extra Virgin Olive Oil because that has a lower smoke point, which means it can’t take the high heat and can burn.
What Do I Serve With Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken?
Serve this Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken with Teriyaki Sauce, Stir Fry Zucchini Noodles, over your favorite type of rice, whether it is white rice, brown rice, rice pilaf, or fried rice, any will do. I predict this will become a regular recipe in your meal rotation. Give it a whirl, and come back and tell me how you liked it.
Other Asian Recipes
If you like this recipe, please be sure to check out my Easy Kung Pao Chicken recipe, Orange Chicken, and my Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry recipe. Your whole family will love them.
If you like this recipe, be sure to follow me on:
Email | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Recipe
Ingredients
Cashew Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breast tenders cut into bite-size cubes
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 Tablespoons oil
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/2 cup chopped cashews
Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2/3 cup soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 Tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Heat oil in a wok or skillet, such as a cast iron skillet, over medium-high heat.
- Place the cubed chicken in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl stir together cornstarch, salt pepper, and garlic powder.
- Add the seasoned cornstarch to the bowl with the chicken and toss until all pieces of chicken are evenly coated with the seasoned cornstarch.
- Add the chicken to the hot wok or skillet and cook until lightly browned.
- Add the red and green bell peppers and cook for about 5 minutes or until peppers are softened.
- Add cashews and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Meanwhile, stir together all sauce ingredients in a small bow. Pour the sauce over the cashew chicken in the wok or skillet and cook for about 5 minutes. The sauce should thicken.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve the Spicy Chinese Cashew Chicken over rice. Enjoy!
Video
leeann says
This recipe was extremely easy and very delicious!
Michele says
I’m so glad you like it.