Healthy Cashew Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

This Nutritious Cashew Chicken Stir Fry makes for an ideal weeknight dish that is quick to whip up, brimming with fresh vegetables and combined in a delightful homemade peanut sauce!

If you’re a fan of takeout-style dishes but crave something lighter, fresher, and more wholesome, you should try this Nutritious Cashew Chicken Stir Fry! It has become one of our weeknight go-tos because it is loaded with lean protein, crunchy veggies, and heart-healthy fats from cashews, all drizzled with the tastiest peanut sauce. This makes for a simple dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy, and the leftovers are even tastier the next day for a nutritious lunch!

Why You’ll Adore This

• Quick and effortless – everything cooks together in a single skillet in under 30 minutes, resulting in a flavorful and easy weeknight meal.
• Healthier alternative to take-out – this dish contains less sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats, making it a far superior option to your favorite takeout!
• Wholesome – this meal is rich in lean protein and packed with a variety of veggies that offer fiber and nutrients.
• Great for meal prep – this cashew chicken stir fry reheats wonderfully for nutritious lunches or dinners. It can also be easily customized to your taste!

Ingredients You Will Need

• chicken – I used skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces, but you may also opt for chicken thighs.
• garlic – I prefer fresh garlic, although a teaspoon of dried minced garlic or garlic powder will suffice if that’s what you have.
• veggies – a mix of broccoli florets, red bell pepper, snap peas, and green onions.
• soy sauce – I always go for low-sodium soy sauce as regular soy sauce can overpower dishes with saltiness. You can substitute it with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free or paleo option.
• peanut butter – the foundation of this sauce and my absolute favorite ingredient! I used all-natural creamy peanut butter, but feel free to try chunky, processed, or different nut butters for a unique flavor.
• honey – this not only sweetens the sauce without refined sugars but also creates a lovely sticky glaze! You can substitute honey with maple syrup or another natural sweetener if needed.
• sesame oil – this contributes the most wonderful nutty flavor to the sauce.
• ginger – adds a bit of zest to the sauce along with exceptional flavor.
• cashews – these provide a delightful crunch in the stir fry and pair well with the peanut sauce, being rich in healthy fats, magnesium, and plant-based protein.
• salt + pepper – essential for seasoning the dish and enhancing flavor.

Steps to Create Cashew Chicken Stir Fry

1. Chop, chop, chop! Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces and chop all the vegetables.
2. Make the sauce. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, peanut butter, honey, sesame oil, and grated ginger. Whisk in 2 or 3 tablespoons of water (or chicken broth for added flavor!), depending on the desired thickness of the sauce.
3. Sear the chicken. In a large skillet (my FAVORITE pan!) over medium-high heat, add one tablespoon of olive oil to coat the pan. Once heated, add the chicken in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper and cook until lightly browned, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Once cooked, transfer to a plate and set aside.
4. Cook the veggies. Drizzle another tablespoon of olive oil into the hot skillet and add the broccoli, bell pepper, and snap peas. Cook until tender, about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often.
5. Combine everything. Once the veggies are tender, return the chicken to the pan and mix everything together. Add in the garlic and cook for about a minute, then stir in the cashews and pour the peanut sauce on top. Mix well, ensuring everything is coated, and bring the sauce to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until the sauce has thickened and everything is well combined. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, serve, and enjoy!

Suggestions for the Ultimate Cashew Chicken

• Prep ingredients in advance – this stir fry cooks swiftly, so I prefer to chop and measure everything beforehand to quickly combine the meal.
• Cut chicken uniformly – this ensures the chicken cooks quickly and evenly while remaining tender.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan – you can cook this stir fry in batches if your pan isn’t large enough. It’s crucial for the best flavor that everything cooks and browns evenly.
• Customize to your palate – feel free to create this stir fry to your preferences by adding more or less garlic, incorporating crushed red pepper for added heat, or using toasted sesame oil for a richer flavor.
• Add cashews towards the end – this keeps the cashews crunchy!
• Taste and adjust – although I love this peanut sauce, don’t hesitate to taste and modify it as needed to suit your liking.
• Serving ideas – this cashew chicken stir fry pairs excellently with brown rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or even noodles.

Variations and Swaps

• Make it gluten-free – easily substitute the soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to ensure this recipe is gluten-free.
• Add some heat – include red pepper flakes, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or chili garlic sauce for an extra kick.
• Low-carb alternative – while we enjoy this over brown rice, you can also try it with cauliflower rice or even zucchini noodles for a lower carb meal.
• Vegetarian option – replace chicken with tofu, tempeh, or your favored noodles for a meatless meal.
• Extra veggies – consider adding mushrooms, onions, asparagus, green beans, zucchini, carrots, or baby corn.
• Thicker sauce – I find this sauce thick enough for my taste, but if you prefer a thicker sauce, feel free to include a teaspoon or two of cornstarch or arrowroot powder.

Meal Preparation and Storage

Leftovers can keep for up to 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed, airtight container. The best part is this dish often tastes better the next day, making it ideal for your weekly meal prep!

More Stir Fry Recipes

I hope you all enjoy this Nutritious Cashew Chicken Stir Fry! If you love this recipe as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I love seeing all your wonderful recreations!