Thai Cashew Chicken Stir Fry

This Thai Cashew Chicken Stir Fry is a bold and savory dish filled with crunchy cashews, tender chicken, and a flavorful Thai sauce. The dry-style stir fry is quick, easy, and customizable to your spice preferences, making it a perfect weeknight meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Packed with flavor, this stir fry is a delightful balance of salty, savory, and spicy, with a satisfying crunch from the cashews and tender chicken. The Thai-inspired sauce—made with oyster sauce, fish sauce, and dark soy sauce—creates a deliciously rich coating for the chicken, while the heat from cayenne pepper adds an extra kick. Best served over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice, this dish comes together in just 18 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner!

Ingredients

For the Stir Fry:

• 2 tbsp peanut oil (or canola or vegetable oil)

• ½ cup raw unsalted cashews (Note 1 for roasted)

• 1 garlic clove, finely minced

• ½ onion (brown, yellow, or white), cut into thin wedges

• 200g (7oz) skinless, boneless chicken thighs, sliced into 1cm (1/3″) thin strips (Note 2)

• 2 green onions, cut into 2.5cm (1″) lengths, white part separated from green part

• ½ red cayenne pepper, deseeded and finely sliced on the diagonal (omit or reduce for less spice) (Note 3)

For the Sauce:

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce (Note 4)

• 1 tsp dark soy sauce (Note 5)

• 2 tsp fish sauce (Note 6)

• 1 tsp white sugar

• 3 tbsp water

For Serving:

• Red chili, finely sliced (optional garnish)

• Jasmine rice (or other rice of choice)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Make the Sauce:

1. In a small bowl, mix together the oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, fish sauce, white sugar, and water. Set aside.

Cook Cashews:

1. Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat.

2. Add the cashews and cook for 5 minutes until they become dark golden and crunchy.

3. Remove from the skillet using a slotted spoon and set aside.

Cook Garlic & Onion:

1. Turn the heat up to high. Add the garlic and onion to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.

Cook Chicken:

1. Add the chicken to the pan and cook for 1 minute, or until the outside changes from pink to white.

Add White Onions & Chili:

1. Add the white part of the green onions and the finely sliced chili. Cook for 1 minute until the chicken is cooked through.

Add Sauce:

1. Pour the sauce into the pan and cook for 1 minute, allowing it to reduce to a syrupy consistency and coat the chicken nicely.

Add Green Onions & Cashews:

1. Toss in the green part of the green onions and cashews. Stir for 30 seconds to combine.

Serve:

1. Transfer to a serving dish and serve with jasmine rice, garnished with extra red chili if desired.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 2

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 8 minutes

• Total Time: 18 minutes

Storage/Reheating

Store any leftover Thai Cashew Chicken Stir Fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave, adding a little water to the sauce if needed to maintain its consistency.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breast for chicken thighs, but chicken breast may be slightly less juicy. Be sure not to overcook it to keep it tender.

Can I make this dish spicier?

Yes! To increase the spice level, you can add more cayenne pepper, red chili flakes, or even a dash of sriracha sauce to the sauce mixture.

Can I use roasted cashews instead of raw?

You can use roasted cashews, but raw cashews provide a better texture and flavor balance when fried in oil. If using roasted, just add them at the end to avoid overcooking them.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, you can replace the chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version. Just make sure to cook the tofu until crispy and golden to mimic the texture of chicken.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just give it a stir before using it.

Conclusion

Thai Cashew Chicken Stir Fry is a quick, flavorful dish with crunchy cashews, tender chicken, and a savory sauce that’s perfect for any weeknight dinner or as part of your meal prep. The best part? You can easily adjust the spice level to suit your taste. Serve it over jasmine rice or in lettuce wraps for a fresh, satisfying meal that’s sure to impress!

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