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    TaraTeaspoon » Course » Main Dish » Chicken and Poultry

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    Published: by

    Chinese Cashew Chicken

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Jump to Comments
    You can make real cashew chicken at home
    Cashew Chicken at Home Pin
    Make real cashew chicken at home

    This Chinese cashew chicken recipe is made with a simple but flavorful cashew sauce. Serve with rice and steamed veggies for an easy weeknight dinner!


    Jump to:
    • Is Cashew Chicken Actually Chinese?
    • Ingredients in This Recipe
    • How to Make Cashew Chicken
    • Tips for Making Chicken with Cashew Nuts
    • More Easy Asian Dinners:
    • The Best Cashew Chicken Recipe

    I would wager you've had chicken with cashew nuts at a Chinese restaurant. If you haven't, someone you went with did!

    It's one of the most popular and famous stir fry dishes at American Chinese eateries. So, how do you make cashew chicken stir fry at home?

    In this post, I'll be dishing all my secrets for making the best chicken cashew stir-fry. It's an easy recipe that take less than an hour to prepare!

    Is Cashew Chicken Actually Chinese?

    Chinese cashew chicken has some pretty American roots. The gist is that chef David Leong moved from China to the United states in 1940.

    He struggled with success cooking authentic Chinese food in Springfield, Missouri. Attempting to adjust his traditional homeland dishes to something the local folks might like, he came up with cashew chicken.

    Everyone was in love and he soon opened Leong's Tea House, which found major success until the late 90's. Cashew chicken is still a mainstay in the community, as it is all over the country.

    Chinese cashew chicken stir fry with nuts in a white bowl with a spoon

    Ingredients in This Recipe

    The secret to making an authentic tasting Chinese dish at home lies in a few ingredients. First, MSG.

    Oh my goodness, I'm kidding!

    By the way, these days the majority of American Chinese restaurants don't use MSG (monosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer). But MSG has been proven to be completely safe for consumption.

    The real secret to easy cashew chicken is to make a great sauce, and that includes ginger, garlic, Chinese rice wine and hoisin sauce. Building these flavors together and adding sweet, crunchy nuts creates a cashew chicken sauce that tastes like your favorite restaurants' classic dish.

    Let's break down the key ingredients in teh cashew chicken sauce:

    • Fresh ginger and garlic. These two ingredients combine to give many stir-fry dishes their intricate base. Like a mirepoix (onions, celery, carrots) in French cooking, this combo is found in many Chinese dishes.
    • Shao Hsing, or dry sherry. Shao Hsing (Shaoxing) is a Chinese rice wine used for cooking. It's easily substituted for dry sherry and has the most to do with making this dish authentic when made at home. Both impart a savory, nutty and aromatic flavor to the stir fry sauce.
    • Hoisin sauce. This thick, fragrant, sweet and tangy sauce is a staple in stir-fry sauces and meat glazes. It's usually made from soy beans, fennel seeds, red chilies, and garlic, vinegar and sugar. Hoisin is often called Chinese ketchup, but it's much more complex as spices are often added. It's a perfect addition to an authentic dish.

    Can I Use Ground Garlic and Ginger?

    Nope! No substituting dried ginger or garlic powder here. The fresh ingredients are key.

    Chinese Chicken with cashew nuts in a white bowl

    How to Make Cashew Chicken

    Now that you know what ingredients to keep in the pantry you're ready to have this better-than-takeout dinner at home.

    Here's a quick overview of how this recipe is made:

    1. Pull out a large skillet or wok (check out this ceramic-coated nonstick option!).
    2. Mix the sauce ingredients together in a bowl.
    3. Cook the chicken, then simmer it in the sauce.
    4. Finish with crunchy cashews to add the perfect texture and sweet flavor!

    Serve this cashew and chicken recipe with long grain rice or sticky rice on the side. Enjoy!

    Tips for Making Chicken with Cashew Nuts

    • Make spicy cashew chicken by adding extra red pepper flakes, or a sliced red chili to the sauce. Adjust the heat by adding a little chili at a time.
    • If you don't have sherry on hand, you may omit it. However, your cashew chicken sauce will lack the depth of flavor that mine had.
    • To round out the meal, steam some broccoli or saute mixed vegetables in a separate skillet.

    More Easy Asian Dinners:

    • Sesame Chicken Skewers with Asian Slaw is heaven on a kabob.
    • Sweet Chili Pistachio Grilled Chicken is sticky and delicious and uses my other favorite nuts!
    • Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers are great served with a bit of kimchi on the side.
    • Veggie Spring Rolls give you a punch of green goodness.

    Let me know how it went!

    Scroll to the bottom of the page to rate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and comment on this recipe. Leaving comments helps other too!

    Cashew Chicken feature in a white bowl

    The Best Cashew Chicken Recipe

    Tara Teaspoon
    Real cashew chicken with a simple and authentic sauce tastes just like your favorite takeout. 
    4.86 from 34 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American, Chinese
    Servings 4 Servings
    Calories 434 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1¾ pounds total), thinly sliced
    • 3 tablespoons dry sherry
    • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
    • 2 cloves garlic sliced
    • 4½ teaspoons cornstarch
    • ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
    • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
    • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
    • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
    • 2 teaspoons canola oil or avocado oil
    • ½ cup unsalted toasted cashews
    • 2 scallions thinly sliced
    • ¼ teaspoon red-pepper flakes
    • cooked rice for serving

    Instructions
     

    • In a bowl combine chicken, sherry, ginger, garlic and 2 teaspoon cornstarch. Chill 30 min. In another bowl combine broth, soy sauce, hoisin, vinegar, sugar and 2½ teaspoon cornstarch; set aside.
    • Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, with 1 teaspoon canola oil. Sauté half the chicken until cooked through, about 5 min; transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining chicken and oil.
    • Return chicken to skillet. Stir in broth mixture and bring to a simmer; cook until sauce thickens, about 1 min. Add cashews and serve with scallions and red-pepper flakes.
    • Serve with cooked white or brown rice if desired.

    Notes

    You can whip up this better than takeout cashew chicken recipe with just a little bit of prep. Serve with steamed rice.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 434kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 52gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 742mgPotassium: 1025mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 165IUVitamin C: 4.3mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2.4mg
    Want to watch videos to show you how to cook?Check out our Youtube and try this recipe and more.

    Be sure to check out these other great international recipes from some of my fellow food bloggers.

    Thailand - Thai Chicken Larb Salad
    Germany -German Meatballs and Potatoes
    Greece - Greek Style Grilled Lamb Chops
    Italy -Fettuccini Alfredo
    Italy - Wild Mushroom Risotto
    Korea -Oven Baked Korean BBQ Chicken Wings
    Sweden -Easy Swedish Cucumber Salad
    USA - Instant Pot Bourbon BBQ Ribs

    My new delicious and easy chicken recipes

    • Chicken Parmesan Cups
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    • Indian Biryani with Chicken
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    • The Best Recipe for Turkey Pot Pie with Gravy
    • Homemade Turkey Stock
    Tara in kitchen making salad

    About Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.

    Find out more!

    Recipe Tara Teaspoon, Photograph Hallie Burton, Food Stylist Ann Disrude, Prop stylist Randi Brookman Harris. Originally published LHJ 09/10. Revised for content 04/22

    « Rhubarb Upside Down Cake
    Honey Glazed Carrots »

    Filed Under: Asian, Chicken and Poultry, Easy Dinners, Main Dish Tagged With: asian, cashew chicken, cashews, chicken, chinese, easy dinner, food blogger winter games, low fat, nuts, olympics, winter games

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amy Nash says

      February 07, 2018 at 9:25 am

      Cashew chicken is my mom's favorite Chinese dish (I'm pretty sure) so I'm going to have to make this for her the next time I go home to visit! Also, I'm cracking up over your reference to Seinfeld here since I also saw you talking about Seinfeld on IG yesterday, lol. My husband is a big fan of that show and some casual seinfeld quotes have also appeared in some of my posts (like the one I did about babka).

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 07, 2018 at 7:32 pm

        She'll love this recipe!! Oh hahaha! How is it that Seinfeld is often real life for us. Too funny!

        Reply
    2. michele says

      February 07, 2018 at 10:21 am

      This is my sisters favorite takeout dish... Shes spending the weekend with us so I'll be giving this a try! The directions are so clear I know she'll be able to do it when she gets back home too!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 07, 2018 at 7:32 pm

        That's awesome! Oh yes try it, it's really classic. Thanks Michele!

        Reply
    3. Marlee says

      February 07, 2018 at 4:41 pm

      This is such a classic for a Chinese place! Love the flavors in this dish!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 07, 2018 at 7:33 pm

        It totally is! I like that I can eat it at home!

        Reply
    4. Mary Bench says

      July 18, 2018 at 1:12 pm

      This is soooo delicious! Have made it several times!

      Reply
    5. Jerrica Vollmer says

      November 02, 2019 at 6:52 pm

      This is my GO TO for authentic cashew chicken ... I won’t use any other. My husband says it’s the best he’s ever had. Felt good to know I coped better cashew chicken than most restaurants. Thank you for sharing this and making my favorite dish something I can create at home. I love out of town so takeout isn’t available.❤️

      Reply
      • Tara says

        November 03, 2019 at 6:00 pm

        Oh my goodness I'm happy to hear this! It's really one of my favorite recipes. I'm glad you and your husband are with me on that! It's the best alternative to take out for sure!! Thanks for your note!

        Reply
    6. Demeter says

      January 14, 2020 at 4:05 pm

      Thanks for adding the tip about adding spice to the dish. Sometimes it's fun to kick things up a notch.

      Reply
    7. Amanda says

      January 14, 2020 at 7:59 pm

      I love this meal so much. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    8. Dorothy Reinhold says

      January 14, 2020 at 8:35 pm

      This is one of our favorite take out dishes. I have always been afraid to attempt the sauce. I am so excited to try this dish tomorrow!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        January 16, 2020 at 4:10 pm

        Me too! A favorite! You've got this. I think you'll love the sauce!

        Reply
    9. Tisha says

      January 15, 2020 at 3:03 pm

      Cashew chicken makes such a great week night meal!

      Reply
    10. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      January 16, 2020 at 8:43 am

      This is such an amazing flavor combo!! Would love to try this chicken recipe!

      Reply
    11. Beth says

      January 16, 2020 at 10:50 pm

      Such a quick and easy meal! really love the flavor of the cashews!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        January 22, 2020 at 7:26 pm

        It is!! One of my faves.

        Reply
    12. Camille Tarics says

      January 22, 2020 at 6:33 pm

      My whole family loves this! It’s a great recipe!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        January 22, 2020 at 7:21 pm

        Camille thanks!!! I'm so glad.

        Reply
    13. Mary says

      February 24, 2020 at 10:13 pm

      I have been looking for a good cashew chicken recipe and have finally found it! Thank you for a great one!!!

      Reply
    14. Dianne says

      March 30, 2020 at 10:39 pm

      I came looking for different breading recipe for the preparation of David Leong's Springfield- style cashew chicken and discovered that this recipe is not the cashew chicken that Mr. Leong created. Realizing that his authentic-style Chinese recipes were not appealing to Midwestern palates, he decided to create a fusion dish that ended up being a hit. It consists of crispy fried chicken chunks smothered in a rich oyster gravy.

      The gravy is simple - good quality chicken broth (homemade is best), oyster sauce, white pepper, wee bit of sugar (optional), cornstarch, and some people add soy sauce (recipes vary). But, the sauce never ever has ginger, hoisin, or vinegar.

      Top rice with bite-sized fried chicken chunks and generously smother it all with the gravy. Sprinkle bits and pieces of roasted cashews and chopped scallions - Serve!

      I'm still hunting for a recipe that replicates Leong's fried chicken. The recipes online never quite seem to turn out as good as his restaurant's chicken. Since I only get back to SW MO once a year or so, I'm driven to find the perfect Springfield cashew chicken recipe so I can have it whenever I want at home.

      Reply
      • Tara says

        March 31, 2020 at 4:06 pm

        Yes Dianne, he did change his traditional Chinese dishes to be more American. He originated American Cashew Chicken and this is one version that has morphed from that! This is what you'll find in restaurants in most cities across the country. His version, with breaded chicken is awesome. I've gone more with the restaurant version that has come from his creation. All the best finding the Leong's fried chicken recipe you are hoping for!

        Reply
    15. Brit says

      May 11, 2020 at 11:45 pm

      As picky eaters, this is one of the only Asian recipes my younger siblings will eat... and they love it!!

      Reply
    16. Carmy says

      May 13, 2020 at 8:08 pm

      Your cashew chicken's sauce sounds SO flavourful! It definitely shines through as making the dish taste amazing.

      Reply
    17. Aleta says

      May 14, 2020 at 3:09 pm

      What is better than ginger, rice vinegar and hoi sin? Nothing. Nothing is tastier than that combo! This recipe for cashew chicken is simply delicious!

      Reply
    18. veenaazmanov says

      May 15, 2020 at 12:37 am

      Thanks. Lovely recipe. Just cant wait to check this out. Looks super delicious.

      Reply
    19. Analida Braeger says

      May 15, 2020 at 11:32 am

      This dish had the most incredible flavors! My whole family loved it. Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
    20. GUNJAN C Dudani says

      May 15, 2020 at 1:42 pm

      Its one of my favorite dish from a Thai restaurant. I am happy to find your recipe and now I can make it at home. So excited.

      Reply
    21. Jessica says

      May 15, 2020 at 7:48 pm

      Thanks for posting this! I’m going to try it tomorrow, but I’m out of dry sherry. Is there a substitute I could use?

      Reply
      • Tara says

        May 16, 2020 at 11:31 pm

        If you don't have it on hand, I would simply leave it out. It adds an authentic aromatic flavor, and there's really no proper substitute.

        Reply
    22. Kushigalu says

      May 17, 2020 at 2:40 am

      Love the flavor and the combo in recipe. So delicious it is.

      Reply
    23. Amanda says

      May 17, 2020 at 4:39 pm

      This cashew chicken is fabulous! It's so much better than anything you'd get at a take-out place, and it's super simple to throw together.

      Reply
    24. Jacqui DeBono says

      May 17, 2020 at 8:04 pm

      It was really interesting to read the history of cashew chicken, especially as I love cashews and chicken and it's one of the things I order the most often. How fantastic to be able to recreate the dish at home! Healthier, fresher and I can make it whenever I want!

      Reply
    25. Kim @ Three Olives Branch says

      May 17, 2020 at 8:17 pm

      LOVE this cashew chicken! Such a great alternative to take out and tastes just amazing, plus so simple!

      Reply
    26. Tatiana says

      May 17, 2020 at 11:41 pm

      This recipe was so easy to follow! Here at home we love chicken and are always looking for a new chicken dish to try... this one will for certain be made weekly from now on!

      Reply
    27. Aline says

      May 18, 2020 at 2:12 pm

      Love this recipe and the story behind it! We'll make it again this weekend!

      Reply
    28. Candice says

      May 18, 2020 at 7:10 pm

      This sauce is unbeatable! The recipe is so easy to follow and packed with flavor. We are going to be making this one regularly. Thank you for the great recipe!

      Reply
    29. Erin says

      January 20, 2021 at 8:44 pm

      Delicious and very easy to make! Will be my new go to for cashew chicken!!

      Reply
    30. Nip says

      March 28, 2022 at 5:08 pm

      I know sometimes author s fake some of the comments or get friends to post but these are all fake. I think there's maybe one authentic one in the entire bunch. Are there any real comments anywhere? I'm not saying there's something wrong with the dish. I'm just saying, it'd be nice to get authentic feedback.

      Reply
      • Tara Teaspoon says

        March 29, 2022 at 9:00 pm

        Hi Nip, I'm sorry you feel these comments are fake. In fact, these are real comments as I do not solicit comments. It's just plain bad practice. I encourage you to make the recipe and see why people are leaving such great reviews. Tara

        Reply
        • Nip says

          March 30, 2022 at 10:25 am

          Okay. I for real made this last night for dinner. The sauce is very good. I'm going to change a couple of things next time just for personal taste, but the sauce itself is worth the recipe. Thank you for sharing.

          Reply
          • Tara Teaspoon says

            March 31, 2022 at 10:01 am

            Thank you Nip and I am so happy you enjoyed the recipe. I encourage you to change up anything to make it perfect for you! Tara

            Reply

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    I’ve been sharing my original ideas for years. What began as a passion, turned into a career as magazine Food Editor at Martha Stewart and then Entertaining Director at Ladies’ Home Journal. All in all, I’ve shared recipes, cooking tips, and DIY ideas with more than 24 MILLION people. Make that 24 million and one. Thanks for stopping by Tara Teaspoon!

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