Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken Delight
This delightful Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken is a perfect amalgamation of tender chicken breasts, earthy mushrooms, crisp green onions, and the crunch of toasted cashews. Inspired by Chet’s emphasis on simple yet flavorful dishes, this recipe allows the use of your crock pot to create a wholesome, savory meal with minimal effort. The mix of soy sauce, fresh ginger, and chicken broth infuses the chicken with a rich flavor that pairs beautifully with the freshness of bamboo shoots and snap peas. Serve it over fluffy cooked rice for a complete one-dish meal that is not only satisfying but also healthy, making it an excellent option for family dinners or meal prep. Enjoy a hearty meal made easy with this vibrant recipe!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless skinless chicken breast halves
6 (Cut into 1-inch pieces)
Fresh mushrooms
1 lb (Sliced)
Green onions
3 (Sliced into 1/2-inch pieces)
Soy sauce
1/4 cup (None)
Fresh gingerroot
2 teaspoons (Grated)
Chicken broth
1/2 cup (None)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (None)
Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Bamboo shoots
1 (8 ounce) can (Drained and sliced)
Cashews
1/2 cup (Toasted)
Chinese pea pods
1/2 cup (None)
Cornstarch
2 tablespoons (None)
Water
3 tablespoons (None)
Cooked rice
as needed (For serving)
Instructions
1
Begin by placing the cut boneless, skinless chicken breast halves and sliced mushrooms into the slow cooker.
2
Next, add the sliced green onions, soy sauce, freshly grated ginger, chicken broth, salt, and pepper, ensuring the chicken is well covered.
3
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for approximately 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to become tender.
4
After 4 hours, add the drained and sliced bamboo shoots, toasted cashews, and the Chinese pea pods to the slow cooker. Turn the control to HIGH to elevate the cooking temperature.
5
In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water until fully dissolved, creating a slurry.
6
Stir the cornstarch mixture into the chicken and vegetable mixture in the slow cooker, ensuring even distribution.
7
Cover the slow cooker again and cook on HIGH for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Stir at least once during this time to promote even thickness.
8
Once ready, serve your luscious cashew chicken over a bed of cooked rice for a fulfilling meal. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish in this recipe?
The main dish is Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken Delight, a savory meal featuring tender chicken, mushrooms, and toasted cashews.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients in total, including the rice used for serving.
What type of chicken should I use?
You should use 6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves cut into 1-inch pieces.
How should the mushrooms be prepared?
You should use 1 lb of fresh mushrooms that have been sliced.
What size should the green onions be cut into?
The green onions should be sliced into 1/2-inch pieces.
What are the primary seasonings for the sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with soy sauce, freshly grated gingerroot, salt, and black pepper.
How much chicken broth is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of chicken broth.
What is the initial cooking time and setting?
The chicken and initial vegetables should be cooked on the LOW setting for approximately 4 hours.
When do I add the bamboo shoots and cashews?
Add the bamboo shoots and toasted cashews after the initial 4 hours of cooking on low.
How should the bamboo shoots be prepared?
Use one 8-ounce can of bamboo shoots that have been drained and sliced.
When are the Chinese pea pods added?
The Chinese pea pods are added after the first 4 hours of cooking, along with the cashews and bamboo shoots.
Should the cashews be raw or toasted?
The recipe specifies using 1/2 cup of toasted cashews for better flavor and crunch.
How do I thicken the sauce?
Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water to create a slurry and stir it into the slow cooker.
Does the cooking temperature change after adding the vegetables and slurry?
Yes, the slow cooker control should be turned to HIGH for the final stage of cooking.
How long does the sauce take to thicken on HIGH?
It takes about 20 to 30 minutes on the HIGH setting for the sauce to reach the desired consistency.
Should I stir the mixture while the sauce thickens?
Yes, you should stir it at least once during the final 20-30 minutes to ensure even thickness.
What is the best way to serve this cashew chicken?
It is best served over a bed of fluffy cooked rice.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is an excellent option for meal prep as it is a hearty and satisfying one-dish meal.
Is this a healthy recipe?
Yes, featuring lean chicken, fresh vegetables, and ginger, it is described as a healthy cooking option.
Can I use ground ginger instead of fresh gingerroot?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of freshly grated gingerroot for the best flavor, though ground can be a substitute in a pinch.
What provides the 'crunch' in this recipe?
The toasted cashews and the snap of the Chinese pea pods provide a delightful crunch.
Is this considered an Asian-style dish?
Yes, the use of soy sauce, ginger, bamboo shoots, and cashews makes it part of Asian cuisine.
Can I cook this faster than 4 hours?
While the recipe suggests 4 hours on LOW for tenderness, most slow cookers allow for a HIGH setting, though LOW is recommended for the best flavor meld.
What kind of mushrooms are recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of fresh mushrooms.
How much cornstarch is required?
You will need 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
What type of peas are used?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of Chinese pea pods, also known as snow peas or snap peas.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an 'easy recipe' because the slow cooker does most of the work.
How many green onions are needed?
The recipe requires 3 green onions.
What makes this a 'one-dish meal'?
It combines protein, vegetables, and sauce in one pot, requiring only rice to be served.
Is the chicken cooked whole or in pieces?
The chicken should be cut into 1-inch pieces before being placed in the slow cooker.