Name: Chinese Cashew Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 37 min
Yield: 3
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 400g (16oz) of boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into pieces; 1 tablespoon of cornstarch (cornflour); 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar; ½ teaspoon of salt; 45 raw cashews; 1 red pepper, chopped into pieces; 1 green pepper, chopped into pieces; 2 spring onions, chopped; 1 small onion, chopped; 3 tablespoons of oyster sauce (I used Lee Kum Kee premium); 1 tablespoon of soy sauce; ⅓ cup (80ml) of water; 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil; 1/2 tablespoon of maple syrup (or honey); 2 cloves of garlic, crushed; 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger; cooking oil spray (I use avocado)

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Chinese Cashew Chicken – amazingly tender pieces of chicken in a delicious sauce with cashew nuts and vegetables.

Cashew Chicken

Probably one of my favourite dishes from the chinese. I love the flavours of this dish as well as the yummy cashews and nuts are a great addition to any diet.

Most can be put off using them due to their high calories count, but a small portion is not too bad and can be enjoyed in many dishes when a sensible amount.

close up of Chinese cashew chicken in a grey frying pan

Velveting Meat for Stir Fries

First things first though, In this recipe I will introduce some of you to a brilliant Chinese Method of cooking meat called "velveting" which keeps the meat really tender in stir fries etc.

If you have ever wondered how the meat is never tough or dry in dishes you order from the Chinese then is most likely due to velveting.

I was first introduced to this method by a friend who's wife just happens to be Chinese and owns her own Chinese restaurant. I was eager to give it a try myself and oh my gosh, what a difference it makes.

There are various different methods of velveting out there, some involving lots of oil, some involve adding some baking soda (bicarb of soda), but for my healthier alternative, I like to use this method which is perfect for cuts of beef, chicken and pork for any stir fry or fast cooking of meat dishes you want to try.

How To Velvet Chicken

To velvet chicken - I marinate the chicken (meat) in a mixture of cornstarch, rice vinegar, water and salt, then once left for about 15 minutes, it's dropped into a saucepan of bubbling hot water and left for about 1-2 minutes until meat turns white, then simply remove with a slotted spoon and it can be stir-fried.

A very Simple easy technique but a method you will use again and again when doing fast frying recipes involving meat.

Chinese cashew chicken in a grey frying pan with wooden spoon

More Chinese Recipes

Want some other delicious Chinese Fakeaway dishes to pair up with this Chinese Cashew Chicken? Then check out some of these:

GINGER CHICKEN WITH MUSHROOMS AND NOODLES
ACTIFRY SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN BITES
CHICKEN CHOP SUEY
BEEF WITH MUSHROOMS IN OYSTER SAUCE
BEEF CHOW MEIN
CHICKEN SINGAPORE NOODLES CHILLI BEEF (STOVE TOP AND ACTIFRY)
CHICKEN FRIED RICE
GINGER BEEF AND BROCCOLI
CHINESE PORK
EGG FRIED RICE
SPRING ROLLS
CHINESE BLACK PEPPER BEEF

or if you would like more recipe ideas - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes all with estimated calories and you can search by ingredients, course, diet and more.

Chinese cashew chicken on white shallow bowl with rice and black handled fork

How can I add more vegetables to this Cashew Chicken?

This recipe comes packed with peppers and onion, but it's always good to add additional vegetables to your plate where possible, some Bok Choy or tender stem broccoli would be a great addition to the side.

You could even serve with this Cauliflower Egg Fried Rice instead of regular rice.

Kitchen Items used in this Chinese Cashew Chicken:

Kitchen Scales
Measuring Spoons
Measuring Cups
Wooden Spoon
Santoku Knife (perfect knife for chopping veg)
Chopping Board
Mixing Bowls
Non-Stick Frying Pan
Large Saucepan
Slotted Spoon

close up of Chinese cashew chicken on white shallow bowl with rice and black handled fork

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Recipe Card

Chinese Cashew Chicken

Yield: SERVES 3

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Additional Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 37 minutes

Chinese Cashew Chicken - amazingly tender pieces of chicken in a delicious sauce with cashew nuts and vegetables.

Ingredients

400g (16oz) of boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into pieces
1 tablespoon of cornstarch (cornflour)
1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
½ teaspoon of salt
45 raw cashews
1 red pepper, chopped into pieces
1 green pepper, chopped into pieces
2 spring onions, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
3 tablespoons of oyster sauce (I used Lee Kum Kee premium)
1 tablespoon of soy sauce
⅓ cup (80ml) of water
1 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil
½ tablespoon of maple syrup (or honey)
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger
cooking oil spray (I use avocado)

Instructions

Pat chicken dry, and add to a bowl with the cornstarch, rice vinegar and salt, mix to coat all the chicken and set aside to marinate for about 15 minutes.
When chicken has marinated for specified time, Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil, then reduce heat slightly just so it bubbles gently. Add chicken and cook in water until it just turns white (1-2 minutes), then remove with a slotted spoon.
Spray a large frying pan over a medium high heat with some cooking oil spray, add the raw cashews with a little pinch of salt and fry until lightly lightly golden/toasted. Remove and set aside.
Add the sesame oil to the frying pan and once hot, add the chicken and onion and fry fo a couple of minutes until chicken is lightly browned.
Add in the peppers, green onion, garlic and ginger and fry for a further couple of minutes.
Add in the oyster sauce, soy sauce, water and maple syrup (or honey).
Toss to cover on a medium heat until the sauce thickens and just coats the chicken and vegetables and then add back in the cashews. Stir to combine.
Serve and enjoy!!

Notes

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Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
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Nutrition Information

Yield 3 Serving Size 1 SERVING
Amount Per Serving Calories 395Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 2gCarbohydrates 30gFiber 4gSugar 15gProtein 48g

Nutritional information is an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information.