Wholesome Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

This Nutritious Cashew Chicken Stir Fry is an ideal weeknight dish that is fast and simple to prepare, brimming with fresh vegetables and combined in a mouthwatering homemade peanut sauce!

If you enjoy meals reminiscent of take-out, but seek something lighter, fresher, and more wholesome, you should prepare this Nutritious Cashew Chicken Stir Fry! This dish is one of our go-to recipes for weeknights because it is loaded with lean protein, crispy vegetables, heart-healthy fats from cashews, and generously drizzled with a delectable peanut sauce. Not only is this a straightforward dinner that your entire family will appreciate, but the leftovers taste even better the following day for a nutritious lunch!

Reasons You’ll Adore This

• Fast and straightforward – everything cooks together in one skillet in under 30 minutes for a tasty and convenient weeknight meal.
• Healthier than take-out – this dish is lower in sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats, making it a far better choice than your favorite takeout!
• Wholesome – this meal is rich in lean protein and packed with a colorful mix of vegetables that contribute fiber and essential nutrients.
• Ideal for meal preparation – this cashew chicken stir fry reheats wonderfully for healthy lunches or dinners. You can also easily modify it to suit your preferences!

Essential Ingredients

• chicken – I opted for boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces, but chicken thighs can also be used.
• garlic – fresh garlic is always my preference, but a teaspoon of dried minced garlic or garlic powder can work if that’s what you have available.
• veggies – a mix of broccoli florets, red bell pepper, snap peas, and green onions.
• soy sauce – I always prefer low sodium soy sauce since regular soy sauce can make dishes overly salty. You could also substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free or paleo version.
• peanut butter – the essence of this sauce and my favorite ingredient! I used all-natural creamy peanut butter, but you can use chunky peanut butter or other nut butters for a different flavor.
• honey – not only does this provide sweetness to the sauce without refined sugars, but it also gives a delightful sticky sweet glaze! You can swap honey with maple syrup or another natural sweetener if you don’t have any handy.
• sesame oil – this lends a fantastic nutty flavor to the sauce.
• ginger – imparts a nice zing to the sauce and wonderful taste.
• cashews – these add a pleasing crunch to the stir fry and pair perfectly with the peanut sauce. They are also packed with healthy fats, magnesium, and plant-based protein.
• salt + pepper – essential for seasoning the dish and enhancing flavor.

Steps to Prepare Cashew Chicken Stir Fry

1. Chop, chop, chop! Dice the chicken into 1-inch pieces and chop all the vegetables.
2. Make the sauce. In a small bowl, blend the soy sauce, peanut butter, honey, sesame oil, and grated ginger. Mix in 2 or 3 tablespoons of water (or chicken broth for added flavor!), depending on your desired sauce thickness.
3. Brown the chicken. In a large skillet (my FAVORITE pan!) over medium-high heat, drizzle one tablespoon of olive oil to coat the pan. When the pan is hot, 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 the chicken 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 the vegetables until they are tender, about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often.
5. Combine everything. Once the vegetables are tender, add the chicken back into the pan and mix well. Incorporate the garlic and cook for about a minute, then introduce the cashews and pour the peanut sauce over everything. Stir well, ensuring all ingredients are coated, and bring the sauce to a rolling boil. Then reduce the heat and let simmer until the sauce has thickened and everything is well mixed. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, serve, and relish!

Tips for the Ultimate Cashew Chicken

• Prepare ingredients first – this stir fry comes together quickly, so I recommend chopping and measuring everything beforehand for a swift meal preparation.
• Uniform chicken pieces – this ensures the chicken cooks efficiently and evenly, maintaining tenderness.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan – consider cooking the stir fry in batches if your pan is too small. It’s important for everything to cook and brown uniformly to achieve the best flavor.
• Create it to suit your taste – easily customize this stir fry by adding more garlic (or less), incorporating crushed red pepper for heat, or using toasted sesame oil for a richer nutty flavor.
• Introduce cashews last – this keeps them crispy!
• Taste and modify – this peanut sauce is a favorite of mine, but feel free to taste and tweak it until it meets your preferences.
• Serving ideas – this cashew chicken stir fry is delicious over brown rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or even noodles.

Variations and Alternatives

• Make it gluten-free – simply swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos to make this recipe gluten-free.
• Spice it up – include red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or chili garlic sauce for an extra kick.
• Low-carb option – while we love serving this over brown rice, you can enjoy it with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lower carb alternative.
• Vegetarian option – replace the chicken with tofu, tempeh, or your favorite noodles for a meatless version.
• Extra vegetables – feel free to add mushrooms, onions, asparagus, green beans, zucchini, carrots, or baby corn.
• Thicker sauce – I find this sauce thick enough, but if you desire a thicker texture, feel free to mix in a teaspoon or two of cornstarch or arrowroot powder.

Meal Preparation and Storage

Leftovers can be stored in a sealed, airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days. The wonderful aspect is that this dish tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for your weekly meal prep!

Additional Stir Fry Recipes

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