Cashew Chicken
Cashew Chicken is a high-protein bowl recipe ready in 30 min. It makes 4 servings, each 470 kcal with 32 g protein. Intermediate level, 17 ingredients, and it keeps for work lunches.
Recipe by @bitesofberi, adapted and measured by Cookpath.
- 30 min25 min hands-on
- Intermediatelevel
- 470kcal a serving
- 32 gprotein
What is Cashew Chicken
A takeout classic of chicken, cashews and vegetables in a sweet, sticky soy and hoisin sauce. Mild, not spicy.
- Bowls · Chicken
- Searing & grilling
- Sautéing & stir-fry
- Sauces & dressings
- Work lunch
How to make Cashew Chicken
Tips from the cook
- Prep everything before you start: a stir fry leaves no time to chop.
- Cashews and aromatics burn quickly, so cook them on lower heat.
- Thicken the sauce with a slurry of equal parts cornstarch and water; thin it with water or stock.
- Swap the chicken for shrimp, beef or tofu. Add chilli flakes or fresh chillies for heat.
Step by step with timers, in your shopping list in one tap.
Meal prep and storage
Still good after 2 to 3 days in the fridge, cold or microwaved.
Keeps 3–4 days in the fridge; reheat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
See this week’s meal prep plan on the blog, or plan your own week in the app.
Cashew Chicken substitutions
Out of something, or cooking around an allergy. Each swap was checked against a source.
Soy sauce2 options
- Tamari (labelled gluten-free) 1:1
Still soy.
Still contains soy.
- Coconut aminos 1:1 (sweeter, use a bit more salt)
Less salty; dark, sold in health-food aisles.
Dark soy sauce2 options
- Tamari (gluten-free) use 3/4 as much (saltier)
Still contains soy.
- Coconut aminos + pinch of salt (soy-free) use 1.25x and add salt
Sweeter, milder.
Shaoxing wine2 options
- Dry sherry 1:1
Sulphites.
- Chicken or vegetable stock 1:1
Less aroma.
Still contains celery.
Hoisin sauce2 options
- Tamari + peanut butter + honey (2:1:1) use same amount
Still contains soy and peanuts.
- Gluten-free hoisin (labelled) 1:1
Hard to find in EU.
Still contains soy and sesame.
Chicken stock3 options
- Vegetable stock (check the label for celery) 1:1 by volume
Less poultry flavour; the page notes vegetable broth usually has celery, carrots, onions.
Still contains celery.
- Mushroom broth (dried or fresh shiitake simmered in plain water 20-30 min) 1:1 by volume
Earthy taste.
- Miso whisked into hot water (1-2 tsp per 1 cup) 1:1 by volume
Add late; do not boil hard.
Still contains soy.
Cashews2 options
- Sunflower seeds 1:1 by weight
Stir-fry crunch differs; check cross-contact.
- Roasted peanuts 1:1
Peanut allergy.
Still contains peanuts.
From the cook: cashews are the dish; swap changes it.
Celery stick2 options
- Fennel bulb, sliced 1:1 by volume
Slight aniseed taste.
- Carrot or parsnip 1:1 by volume
Sweeter.
Spring onions2 options
- Chives 1:1 by volume, add at end
Not cooked well.
- Leek, thin use 1/2 as much (stronger)
Serve it with
- White rice
- Cucumber salad
- Kimchi
- Dumplings
