Savory Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry Delight
Indulge in the flavors of this Savory Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry Delight, where tender chicken breasts are seasoned with aromatic Chinese five spice and enhanced by the heat of Thai chiles. This vibrant dish is packed with fresh vegetables like bok choy, carrots, and snow peas, all tossed in a rich sauce of hoisin and chicken broth. Finished off with crunchy unsalted cashews, this stir-fry is not just a meal but a culinary experience you wonโt forget. Serve it over fluffy white rice for a satisfying dinner that's sure to impress family and friends alike.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 (Cut into bite-sized pieces)
Chinese five spice powder
To taste (For seasoning)
Dried Thai chiles
2 (Crushed)
Sesame oil
1 teaspoon (For cooking)
Vegetable oil
1 teaspoon (For cooking)
Bok choy
1 (Chopped)
Carrot
1 (Chopped)
Onion
1 medium (Sliced)
Snow peas
1 cup (Fresh)
Button mushrooms
1 cup (Quartered)
Water chestnuts
0.5 (8 ounce) can (Drained)
Ginger
1 chunk (Grated or finely chopped)
Garlic cloves
2 (Thinly sliced)
Green onions
3 (Chopped)
Whole unsalted cashews
3/4 cup (For topping)
Chicken broth
1 cup (For cooking)
Hoisin sauce
1/4 cup (For sauce)
White rice
2 cups (Cooked)
Cornstarch
2 teaspoons (For thickening)
Instructions
1
Start by seasoning the bite-sized chicken pieces generously with Chinese five spice powder and crushed Thai chiles. In a wok, heat both sesame and vegetable oils over medium-high heat.
2
Add the seasoned chicken to the wok and sautรฉ for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure even cooking. Halfway through cooking, add the thinly sliced garlic and grated ginger to infuse the oil with flavor.
3
Once the chicken is browned and cooked through, add the chopped bok choy, sliced onion, chopped carrot, quartered mushrooms, and drained water chestnuts to the wok. Pour in half of the chicken broth and half of the hoisin sauce, then cover with a lid. Let it steam for 2 minutes to soften the vegetables.
4
After 2 minutes, add the snow peas and the leafy part of the bok choy along with the remaining chicken broth and hoisin sauce. Close the lid once again and let it cook for an additional 2 minutes.
5
To thicken the sauce, create a cornstarch slurry by mixing 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with a little cold water, then gradually stir it into the stir-fry until you reach the desired thickness. Finally, stir in the whole unsalted cashews and chopped green onions just before serving.
6
Serve the stir-fried chicken and vegetables hot over a bed of cooked white rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry Delight?
It is a vibrant stir-fry dish featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with Chinese five spice, mixed with vegetables like bok choy and snow peas, and topped with crunchy unsalted cashews.
What are the main seasonings for the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with Chinese five spice powder and crushed dried Thai chiles for a blend of aromatic and spicy flavors.
How should the chicken be prepared before cooking?
The boneless skinless chicken breasts should be cut into bite-sized pieces.
What type of oil is best for this stir-fry?
The recipe uses a combination of one teaspoon of sesame oil and one teaspoon of vegetable oil.
How long does the chicken need to sautรฉ?
The chicken should be sautยed in the wok for about 5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
When should I add the garlic and ginger?
Add the thinly sliced garlic and grated ginger halfway through the 5-minute chicken sautรฉ to infuse the oil with flavor.
Which vegetables are added first in the cooking process?
After the chicken is cooked, add the chopped bok choy stalks, sliced onion, chopped carrot, quartered mushrooms, and drained water chestnuts.
How much chicken broth is required for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of chicken broth, added in two separate stages.
What role does hoisin sauce play in this recipe?
Hoisin sauce provides a rich, savory, and slightly sweet base for the stir-fry sauce.
Why is the wok covered with a lid during cooking?
The lid is used to steam the vegetables for 2 minutes at a time to ensure they soften properly.
When should the snow peas be added?
Add the snow peas along with the leafy part of the bok choy after the first 2-minute steaming session.
How do I thicken the stir-fry sauce?
Mix 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with a little cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the wok until the desired thickness is reached.
Are the cashews added during or after cooking?
Whole unsalted cashews are stirred in just before serving to maintain their crunch.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
Serve the stir-fry hot over a bed of 2 cups of cooked white rice.
Can I use salted cashews instead of unsalted?
The recipe specifies unsalted cashews to control the sodium level, but salted can be used if preferred.
How many Thai chiles are used in this dish?
The recipe uses 2 dried Thai chiles, crushed, to provide heat.
How do I prepare the bok choy?
The bok choy should be chopped, separating the thicker stalks from the leafy parts, as they are added at different times.
What kind of mushrooms are used in this stir-fry?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of quartered button mushrooms.
Are the water chestnuts fresh or canned?
The recipe uses half of an 8-ounce can of water chestnuts, which should be drained before adding.
What is the preparation for the ginger?
One chunk of ginger should be either grated or finely chopped.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
Two garlic cloves, thinly sliced, are required for the dish.
When are the green onions added?
Three chopped green onions are stirred in at the very end, just before serving.
Is this recipe considered quick to make?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal and involves fast cooking techniques like stir-frying and steaming.
Can I substitute the white rice?
While white rice is suggested, you can serve it over brown rice, quinoa, or noodles if preferred.
What flavor profile does Chinese five spice provide?
It provides a complex, aromatic flavor consisting of sweet, sour, bitter, and savory notes.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 19 specific ingredients used in this recipe.
Can I make this dish more or less spicy?
Yes, you can adjust the amount of crushed Thai chiles to suit your heat preference.
Should the cornstarch be mixed with hot or cold water?
Cornstarch should always be mixed with cold water to prevent clumping before being added to the hot wok.
How much hoisin sauce is used?
A total of 1/4 cup of hoisin sauce is used, divided during the cooking process.
Can I add other vegetables to this stir-fry?
Yes, stir-fries are versatile; you can add bell peppers, broccoli, or baby corn if desired.