Savory Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry with Pineapple
Indulge in our delightful Savory Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry with Pineapple, a quick and easy one-dish meal that bursts with flavor in every bite! Featuring tender, marinated cubed chicken breasts, crunchy dry-roasted cashews, and colorful vegetables like green pepper and scallions, this dish is not only delicious but also versatile – feel free to add your favorite veggies! The addition of sweet pineapple chunks brings a tropical twist, and we use the juice to create a perfectly balanced sauce that's light yet satisfying. Ideal for serving over fluffy rice, this recipe serves 12, making it perfect for family gatherings or meal prep. Dive into this wonderful mix of textures and flavors, and enjoy a restaurant-quality dish right at home!
N/A
Servings
450
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken breasts
6 whole (skin & boned, cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
Egg whites
6 (lightly beaten)
Cornstarch
6 tablespoons (for coating chicken)
Salt
3/4 teaspoon (to season chicken)
Green pepper
1 large (sliced)
Dry-roasted cashews
3/4 cup (optional, for added crunch)
Scallions
6-8 stems (whites only, chopped)
Garlic cloves
3 (minced)
Ground ginger
1 tablespoon (for flavor)
Corn oil
2 cups (for frying)
Dry sherry
1/2 cup (for the sauce)
Soy sauce
1/3 cup (for the sauce)
Water
6 tablespoons (to thin sauce)
Sugar
4 tablespoons (to balance flavors)
Cornstarch
4 tablespoons (for thickening sauce)
White vinegar
3 tablespoons (for tanginess)
Oil
1 tablespoon (for cooking)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the chicken: skin and bone the breasts, then cut them into 1/2-inch cubes.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken with the egg whites, cornstarch, and salt. Toss well to ensure the chicken is thoroughly coated and set this mixture aside.
3
In another bowl, mix together the sliced green pepper, cashews, chopped scallions, minced garlic, and ground ginger. Set aside.
4
In a wok or a large deep-sided frying pan, heat the corn oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and fry them until fully cooked and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the wok and drain it on paper towels.
5
Carefully discard all but about 2 teaspoons of oil from the wok. Add the vegetable mixture to the wok and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the green pepper is just tender, but still crisp.
6
Return the cooked chicken to the wok and pour in the sauce mixture: combine the dry sherry, soy sauce, water, sugar, cornstarch, white vinegar, and a bit of pineapple juice to thin the sauce. Bring everything to a boil, stirring well to coat the chicken and vegetables evenly.
7
Taste and adjust the sauce's thickness by adding more pineapple juice if desired. Once everything is well combined and heated through, serve immediately over a bed of rice.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
25g
Carbs
40g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry with Pineapple?
It is a quick and easy one-dish meal featuring marinated chicken, crunchy cashews, colorful vegetables, and sweet pineapple chunks in a balanced sauce.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe serves 12 people, making it ideal for family gatherings or meal prep.
What are the primary ingredients for the stir-fry?
The main ingredients include chicken breasts, egg whites, cornstarch, green pepper, dry-roasted cashews, scallions, garlic, and pineapple.
How many calories are in one serving of this cashew chicken?
Each serving contains approximately 450 calories.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy, featuring high protein (40g) and various vegetables.
How should the chicken be prepared before cooking?
The chicken breasts should be skinned, boned, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
What is the purpose of the egg whites in this recipe?
The egg whites are combined with cornstarch and salt to coat the chicken, ensuring it becomes golden and crispy when fried.
Can I add other vegetables to this stir-fry?
Yes, the recipe is versatile and you are encouraged to add your favorite vegetables.
What kind of oil is recommended for frying the chicken?
Corn oil is recommended for frying the chicken pieces.
How long does it take to cook the chicken?
The chicken pieces should be fried for about 5-7 minutes until they are fully cooked and golden brown.
What tools can I use to cook this meal?
You can use a traditional wok or a large, deep-sided frying pan.
What ingredients make up the sauce?
The sauce is a mixture of dry sherry, soy sauce, water, sugar, cornstarch, white vinegar, and pineapple juice.
How do I thicken the stir-fry sauce?
Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent for the sauce.
What if the sauce is too thick?
You can adjust the thickness by adding more pineapple juice to thin it out as desired.
Are the cashews mandatory?
The dry-roasted cashews are optional but highly recommended for added crunch and flavor.
What part of the scallions should I use?
The recipe calls for 6-8 stems of scallions, specifically using only the chopped white parts.
How much protein is in one serving?
One serving provides 40g of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 20g of fat per serving in this dish.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
A single serving contains 25g of carbohydrates.
Does the recipe contain alcohol?
Yes, it contains 1/2 cup of dry sherry for the sauce.
What spices are used to season the dish?
The dish is seasoned with ground ginger, minced garlic, salt, and soy sauce.
What gives the dish its tropical flavor?
The addition of sweet pineapple chunks and pineapple juice provides the tropical twist.
How should I serve this stir-fry?
It is best served immediately over a bed of fluffy rice.
Is sugar necessary in this recipe?
The recipe uses 4 tablespoons of sugar to balance the tangy flavors of the vinegar and pineapple.
Can this be made in advance?
Yes, it is excellent for meal prep, though the vegetables are best when freshly cooked and crisp.
How many cloves of garlic are required?
The recipe requires 3 minced garlic cloves.
What type of vinegar is used?
White vinegar is used to provide tanginess to the sauce.
How much ground ginger should I add?
Use 1 tablespoon of ground ginger for the vegetable mixture.
Should the vegetables be soft or crunchy?
The vegetables should be stir-fried for only 1-2 minutes so the green pepper remains crisp.
Is this dish considered an Asian-style meal?
Yes, it is tagged under Asian cuisine and features classic stir-fry techniques and ingredients.