quick

Stay-In Cashew Chicken

by turnips + tantrums

I really, really love staying in. Honestly now, what can possibly be better than putting the kids to bed, throwing on some comfy PJs and watching some TV with a big ‘ol bowl of Chinese food? Few things I tell you, few things. That’s where this little gem comes in. This Cashew Chicken Recipe comes together in under 20 minutes, has a healthy spin (quinoa instead of rice) and everyone in this family of 4 ate it. Count me in.

enjoy!

xo

jackie

Stay-In Cashew Chicken

Kick up your feet and skip the take-out. This stay-in classic will have your family fed in no time.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: Family Friendly
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 Adults
Calories: 734kcal
Author: turnips + tantrums

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
  • 3 tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar
  • 1 tsp Sesame Oil
  • 2 tbsp Cornstarch
  • 1 pound Chicken Thighs or Breast
  • 4 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 4 cloves Garlic, chopped
  • 1 inch Piece Ginger chopped
  • 1 Bell Pepper diced
  • 8 oz Sliced Water Chestnuts
  • 1 cup Salted Cashews
  • 2 Green Onions sliced, white & green parts
  • Sesame Seeds
  • 1 cup Quinoa cooked, yields about 2.5 cups

Instructions

  • First off, get your quinoa cooking. Once you have that started, heat up the sauté pan on high (8/10) with the olive oil, until smoking. Add your chicken and brown on all sides, 4-5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a 2 cup measuring glass, mix soy sauce, sherry, brown sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Fill to the 1cup mark with water. Stir and set aside.
  • Once the chicken has browned, add in garlic, ginger and bell pepper. Stir around for 2-3 minutes, until bell pepper has started to soften. 
  • Turn down the heat to medium-high (6/10) and add sauce mixture. Stir around really well, don’t let it sit for too long or you’ll have burned soy and sugar, not so tasty. 
  • Add cashews and water chestnuts and heat through, and the sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes.
  • Serve over quinoa, top with sesame seeds and green onion.

Nutrition

Serving: 4g | Calories: 734kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 1952mg | Potassium: 942mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1020IU | Vitamin C: 40.8mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 6.5mg

Recipe source: inspired by the Pioneer Woman’s “Cashew Chicken.”

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