# Cashew Chicken > Cook cashew chicken with chicken, roasted cashews, bell pepper, onion, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and oyster sauce alternatives. This recipe is written for international English-speaking home cooks. Ingredient notes prioritize items available from regular supermarkets, Asian grocery stores, or common online retailers. Image preview: /images/recipes/cashew-chicken-1200.webp Image full quality: /images/recipes/cashew-chicken-1536.webp ## Overview Cashew chicken is a strong family-friendly search target because it feels familiar, mild, and satisfying without requiring a long Chinese pantry. Roasted cashews provide crunch and richness, while bell pepper and onion keep the stir-fry colorful. This home version uses a small amount of soy-oyster sauce glaze and supermarket chicken. It works over rice, with noodles, or as part of a larger meal with cucumber salad or simple steamed greens. ## Facts - Servings: 4 - Prep time: 18 minutes - Cook time: 14 minutes - Difficulty: Easy - Heat level: None - Tags: chicken, takeout-style, family-friendly, high-protein ## Why It Works Cashews add richness and crunch, so the sauce can stay light while the dish still feels satisfying. ## Ingredients - chicken: 500 g / 1.1 lb boneless chicken thigh or breast. - cashews: 3/4 cup roasted unsalted. - bell pepper: 1 large. - onion: 1/2 medium. - green onion: 2 (optional). - garlic: 2 cloves. - ginger: 1 tsp grated (optional). - soy sauce: 2 tbsp. - oyster sauce: 1 tbsp (optional). - rice vinegar: 1 tsp (optional). - sugar: 1 tsp. - cornstarch: 2 tsp. - neutral oil: 1 tbsp. ## Equipment - Large skillet or wok - Mixing bowl - Small bowl - Spatula ## Steps 1. Cut and marinate chicken Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Toss with 1 teaspoon soy sauce, cornstarch, and a splash of water until lightly coated. Let it sit while you cut bell pepper, onion, green onion, garlic, and ginger. 2. Mix sauce and prepare cashews In a small bowl, stir remaining soy sauce, oyster sauce if using, rice vinegar, sugar, and 3 tablespoons water. Keep cashews separate until the end so they stay crunchy and do not soften in the sauce. 3. Cook chicken until mostly done Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in one layer and cook until the outside is lightly browned and the inside is almost cooked through. Move it to a plate if the pan feels crowded. 4. Stir-fry vegetables Add bell pepper, onion, garlic, ginger, and green onion whites to the skillet. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables soften slightly and smell sweet. They should still have some crunch. 5. Return chicken and sauce Put the chicken back in the pan and pour in the sauce. Stir while it bubbles and coats the chicken and vegetables. Check that the chicken is fully cooked before moving to the final step. 6. Add cashews at the end Turn off the heat and fold in the cashews and green onion tops if using. Serve right away. Adding cashews last keeps them warm and coated but still crisp, which is the main texture of the dish. ## Western Grocery Notes - Roasted unsalted cashews are easiest because the soy sauce already adds salt. - Use red, yellow, or green bell pepper depending on what is cheapest. - Oyster sauce is useful but not mandatory; hoisin plus soy sauce is a practical fallback. ## Substitutions - Use peanuts or almonds instead of cashews if needed. - Use mushrooms, broccoli, or snow peas instead of bell pepper. - Use firm tofu instead of chicken for a meat-free version. ## Ingredient Alternatives - Cashews: Add crunch, richness, and the signature nutty finish. Alternatives: Roasted cashews, Peanuts, Almonds. Use unsalted nuts if possible because soy sauce and oyster sauce already add salt. - Chicken: Makes the stir-fry a protein-focused dinner. Alternatives: Chicken thigh, Chicken breast, Firm tofu. A short cornstarch marinade keeps thin chicken pieces tender. - Bell pepper and onion: Bring sweetness, crunch, and supermarket-friendly vegetables. Alternatives: Broccoli, Snow peas, Mushrooms. Keep vegetables crisp-tender so the cashews remain the main texture contrast. ## Cook Better Next Time - Add cashews near the end so they stay crunchy. - Cut chicken and vegetables into similar bite-size pieces for even cooking. - If the sauce gets too thick, loosen it with water one spoon at a time. ## FAQ ### Can I make cashew chicken without oyster sauce? Yes. Use hoisin plus soy sauce, vegetarian mushroom oyster sauce, or extra soy sauce with a pinch of sugar. ### What can replace cashews? Peanuts, almonds, or extra vegetables can replace cashews, though the flavor will change. ### Is cashew chicken spicy? This version is not spicy by default. Chili crisp or chili flakes can be served on the side. ## Related Recipes - [Kung Pao Chicken with Peanuts](/recipes/kung-pao-chicken-with-peanuts/): A Western-grocery-friendly kung pao chicken with peanuts, bell pepper, soy sauce, vinegar, and optional chili crisp. - [Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry](/recipes/chicken-broccoli-stir-fry/): A practical takeout-style stir-fry using chicken, broccoli, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch. - [Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls](/recipes/sesame-chicken-rice-bowls/): A mild sesame chicken bowl with pan-browned chicken, soy-honey glaze, toasted sesame, and simple vegetables over rice. ## Recipe Topic Hubs - [Easy Weeknight Chinese Recipes](/collections/easy-weeknight-chinese-recipes/): Fast Chinese home-cooking ideas for busy nights, built around supermarket ingredients and simple pantry sauces. - [Beginner Chinese Recipes](/collections/beginner-chinese-recipes/): Starter Chinese recipes for new home cooks, with clear substitutions and low-risk cooking methods. - [High-Protein Chinese Dinners](/collections/high-protein-chinese-dinners/): Protein-focused Chinese dinner ideas using chicken, beef, tofu, eggs, pork, and practical meat-free alternatives. - [Chinese Chicken Recipes](/collections/chinese-chicken-recipes/): Chinese-style chicken recipes for Western kitchens, including stir-fries, fried rice, takeout-style sauces, and rice bowls. - [Chinese Rice Bowl Recipes](/collections/chinese-rice-bowl-recipes/): Chinese-style rice bowl dinners with chicken, tofu, pork, shrimp, eggs, vegetables, and supermarket-friendly sauces. - [Chinese Takeout at Home](/collections/chinese-takeout-at-home/): Chinese takeout-style recipes adapted for home cooks using supermarket chicken, beef, noodles, vegetables, and practical pantry sauces. ## Internal Links - Static recipe page: /recipes/cashew-chicken/ - Markdown recipe mirror: /recipes/cashew-chicken.md - Recipe JSON-LD: /structured-data/recipes/cashew-chicken.jsonld ## Community Prompt Did you use cashews, peanuts, or another nut in this stir-fry?