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Home By Meal Lunch and Dinner

Healthy Cashew Chicken

★★★★★ 43 Reviews Recipe Print
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By: Erin8/29/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Healthy Cashew Chicken
Healthy Cashew Chicken

Healthy cashew chicken stir fry is the best clean-eating Chinese food takeout recipe that you’ll ever have! It’s easy to make and is packed with healthy ingredients like peppers, and cashews, and served over cauliflower rice!

cashew chicken

Easy Healthy Cashew Chicken Recipe

If you are looking for the perfect meal to serve during the week, this is the meal for you. Did we mention your family and friends will also think you ordered this from Chinese takeout? It’s that good.

Growing up, it was such a special occasion for us to get Chinese food. I used to beg my mom and dad to order it for us because it was always one of my favorites, and every once in a while they would order us the salty, deep-fried goodness that was cashew chicken, lemon chicken, General Tsos, and so on.

Those memories will forever live in me! Just like my longing for that delicious Chinese food.

So we created a healthy cashew chicken recipe without all the added ingredients like traditional Chinese takeout. This healthier takeout meal is so delicious because you can really make it to your liking.

Want more sauce or more spice? Add in more flavor! Want to cut back on sodium? Use a reduced-sodium soy sauce.

There are only a handful of ingredients in this recipe and it tastes just like your traditional Chinese takeout except this is healthy takeout. Trust me on this one! Everyone is going to love it.

healthy cashew chicken

Ingredients Needed

Need to throw dinner together in twenty minutes but don’t want to just order take-out? I’ve got the perfect solution for this healthy Chinese takeout: healthy cashew chicken.

One bite into this saucy Chinese takeout and you’re going to be impressing guests for the rest of your life!

The ingredients in this healthy cashew chicken are simple, can all be found in the grocery store, and are easy to throw together.

Cashew Chicken Ingredients

  • Chicken Breasts – Dice up 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes.
  • Olive Oil – You will use olive oil to cook the chicken and veggies; I used about two tablespoons.
  • Red Bell Pepper – Dice up a large red bell pepper into 1-inch cubes.
  • Broccoli – This adds fiber, nutrition, and color to the dish, add about two cups of chopped broccoli.
  • Garlic – Fresh garlic will have a more powerful flavor, so add three cloves of garlic
  • Ginger – Just like the garlic, use fresh ginger, about two teaspoons.
  • Water Chestnuts – Add water chestnuts for their crunch and earthy flavor, about 1/2 a cup.
  • Cashews – These are essential for cashew chicken! Add 3/4 a cup of unsalted cashews.

Chinese Sauce Ingredients

  • Soy Sauce – For the unmistakable umami flavor, add 1/3 a cup.
  • Sesame Oil – This adds a nutty undertone to the sauce, you only need 1.5 tablespoons.
  • Rice Wine Vinegar – For an understated tanginess, add 1/4 a cup.
  • Honey – The honey is a sticky sugar that sweetens the entire dish, so add three tablespoons.
  • Cornstarch (or Arrowroot Powder) – You’ll need this in order to thicken the sauce, so mix three tablespoons with 3/4 a cup of water.
ingredients for cashew chicken
pouring sauce onto broccoli and peppers

Kitchen Tools Required

You only need a few basic kitchen tools to make this healthy cashew chicken recipe.

Gather the following items before you begin:

  • Large skillet
  • Large bowl
  • Chef Knife
  • Whisk

For measuring, you will need the following sized cups and spoons: 3/4 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/4 cup, 1 tablespoon, 1/2 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1/2 teaspoon.

How To Make Healthy Cashew Chicken

Healthy cashew chicken is actually so easy to make. Don’t let the ingredient list fool you – it’s actually just a bunch of ingredients mixed together for the sauce!

First up, dice your chicken breasts into bite-size pieces. You’ll do the same for the broccoli and the peppers and then set them aside.

Prepare the sauce next by whisking together all of the ingredients. You’ll then set them aside until you’re ready to add to your chicken mixture.

In a hot pan, heat 1 tbsp oil and cook your chicken breasts until almost all the way cooked. Take them out and then add 1 tbsp oil to the pan and throw the bell pepper and broccoli in.

When it’s almost all the way cooked, add in the garlic and ginger. Then stir in the sauce and let it thicken. Once it starts to thicken, stir in the chicken and cashews. Cook for a few more minutes until thickened.

Serve over rice or cauliflower rice!

making cashew chicken

Storing leftovers

While we don’t think there will be many healthy cashew chicken leftovers, we’re providing a bunch of ideas for how to properly store leftovers just in case.

To store leftovers safely, ensure all food comes to room temperature or is lukewarm before packaging up.

Once it’s at the appropriate temperature, use glass storage containers or plastic Tupperware to put the rest of the food in. Seal them properly with a tight lid and place them in the refrigerator.

Leftovers will be good for up to three days. Discard after three days.

In order to reheat, take out of refrigerator and place into microwave-safe container or heat on the stove.

Enjoy!

Substitution Tip

Here are a few different ingredient substitutions you can make in this recipe.

Instead of chicken breasts, you can make this recipe with boneless, skinless chicken thighs.

Even though I used red bell pepper for the color, any variety of bell peppers will taste delicious in this recipe.

Also, I cooked all of the ingredients in olive oil, but you can use your favorite type of cooking oil. My other favorites include avocado oil and coconut oil.

There are also a few different replacements you can make in the sauce as well. If you want or need to make a gluten-free sauce, use tamari or coconut aminos.

You can also replace the corn starch with arrowroot powder and use a sugar-free honey substitute if you want to make this recipe sugar-free.

cashew chicken

Recipe Tips

Below are some common questions people have about how to make cashew chicken. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!

Is Chinese chicken and cashew nuts healthy?

This depends on how it is prepared. The cashew chicken you get at a Chinese restaurant might not be the healthiest option. It is usually covered in a sauce that uses a lot of sugar and the chicken is sometimes deep-fried.

That is why I recreated this recipe to be healthier! Cashews, bell peppers, broccoli, and chicken breasts are all ingredients that are good for you.

Is cashew chicken fried?

Cashew chicken is usually stir-fried. Some Chinese restaurants cover deep-fried chicken in sticky sauce, so it depends on where you go.

What is the difference between cashew chicken and kung pao chicken?

The difference is in the type of nuts they use. Kung pao chicken usually uses peanuts and it’s also spicier.

If you make this recipe, be sure to comment below and let me know how it was! Also tag @erinliveswhole on Instagram and use the hashtag #erinliveswhole so I can see it and feature you!

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

  • Paleo Chicken Tenders
  • Honey Mustard Chicken
  • Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa

cashew chicken
cashew chicken
★★★★★ 4.9 from 43 reviews

Healthy Cashew Chicken

Healthy cashew chicken stir fry is the best clean eating Chinese food takeout recipe that you’ll ever have! It’s easy to make and is packed with healthy ingredients like peppers, cashews, and served over cauliflower rice!

Prep: 20Cook: 10Total: 30 minutes
Yield 6 servings 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breasts, diced into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 large red bell pepper, diced into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 cups roughly chopped broccoli
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp fresh ginger
  • 1/2 cup water chestnuts
  • 3/4 cup cashews

Sauce

  • 1/3 cup soy sauce (tamari if gluten free)
  • 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 1.5 tsp sesame oil
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
  • 3/4 cup water

Instructions

  1. Make sure your chicken and veggies are chopped and ready to be cooked. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the sauce by whisking together all of the ‘sauce’ ingredients in a small bowl. Set it aside.
  3. In a large pan, heat 1 tbsp oil.
  4. Cook your chicken breasts until almost all the way cooked, about 5 minutes, turning a few times.
  5. Once mostly cooked, take the chicken out of the pan and set aside.
  6. Add 1 more tbsp oil to the pan and throw the bell pepper and broccoli in.
  7. After sauteing for 3-4 minutes, add in the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 more minute.
  8. Stir in the sauce and let it thicken.
  9. Once it starts to thicken, stir back in the chicken, and add the cashews and water chestnuts.
  10. Cook for a few more minutes until thickened.
  11. Serve over rice or cauliflower rice! Sprinkle with more cashews and sesame seeds.
Author: ErinCategory: dinner, gluten-free
cashew chicken

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

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There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Meghan says

    Posted on 12/4 at 12:55 pm

    Loveeeeed the flavor and being able to control the ingredients in our meal. The cashews were so good! And the extra veg – I added mushrooms and peas because we had them – so good.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/5 at 12:54 pm

      Hi Meghan, so happy you loved it!

      Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    Posted on 11/20 at 8:45 am

    Love this recipe! Easy to follow directions and turned out great!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/20 at 6:40 pm

      Hi Jennifer, so happy you loved it! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Tova Hershman says

    Posted on 11/17 at 4:10 pm

    Yum! Easy to make and perfect for leftovers too 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/17 at 6:02 pm

      Hi Tova, so glad you loved it!!

      Reply
  4. BBM says

    Posted on 11/10 at 11:48 pm

    Made this for my husband & I for a change from our usual stir fry. I used coconut aminos (didn’t have enough soy sauce) and added some mushrooms I had left over from another recipe. Also used maple syrup instead of honey. It came out so good! Mixed in some sriracha when I ate it bc I love all things spicy. Already looking forward to eating leftovers tomorrow!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/11 at 7:16 pm

      Hi, so happy you both loved it and made it your own! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Sarah Nowak says

    Posted on 10/4 at 8:08 am

    This recipe is fantastic! It requires minimal ingredients which I always love. I subbed shrimp for the chicken and still enjoyed. Great to meal prep for the whole week as well!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/4 at 1:55 pm

      Hi Sarah, so happy you loved it and made it your own!!

      Reply
  6. Beckie M. says

    Posted on 9/8 at 9:56 pm

    Delicious and super easy! The sauce is sooo good!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/9 at 7:17 am

      Hi Beckie, so glad you enjoyed it!!

      Reply
  7. natty says

    Posted on 9/6 at 7:07 pm

    This was SO good!! The sauce was fantastic. I added some fish sauce, umami powder, and extra garlic powder. I will be making this again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/9 at 7:15 am

      Hi, so happy you liked it and made it your own!!

      Reply
  8. casey says

    Posted on 8/30 at 3:56 pm

    The sauce, omggggg! Made double the second time around because it was so good!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/1 at 5:43 pm

      Hi Casey, so happy you loved it!! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Maura says

    Posted on 8/29 at 9:33 pm

    Delicious and easy! I just sent the recipe to my college senior – I think this will be a go-to recipe in his house, too!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/1 at 5:41 pm

      Hi Maura, so glad you liked it and thanks for sharing!!

      Reply
  10. Paige says

    Posted on 1/11 at 7:15 pm

    Sooooo yummy! Made it using mushrooms instead of peppers. Need to triple this next time for leftovers 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/12 at 10:55 pm

      Hi Paige, so glad you liked it and made it your own!!

      Reply
  11. Charlotte says

    Posted on 10/18 at 3:13 pm

    Made this recipe as meal prep for my boyfriend and we loved it so much he actually made it HIMSELF, twice!!! Super easy and great for prepping for the week. Thanks Erin!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/18 at 6:25 pm

      Hi Charlotte, so happy you both loved it!!

      Reply
  12. Erin Elwood says

    Posted on 7/12 at 10:13 am

    I decided to try this recipe last week and loved it so much that I made it twice! It is so delicious and I love the fact that it is healthy. I made it for the family and everyone loved it, even the picky eaters. I then made it for my Mother who also gave it rave reviews. Thank you, Erin! I love your insta posts, your website and your recipes.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 7/12 at 5:18 pm

      Hi Erin, I am so happy you and your family loved it! Thank you for all your support!!

      Reply
  13. Kate says

    Posted on 7/11 at 5:54 pm

    This was amazing!! I subbed tofu to make it vegetarian and it was delicious. I sent it to my mom right after and told her to make it too. Thanks Erin!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 7/12 at 5:09 pm

      Hi Kate, so happy you both loved it and made it your own!!

      Reply
  14. Sarah Koch says

    Posted on 6/13 at 7:22 pm

    We have this and also the sesame chicken from Erin’s ebook on a bi-weekly rotation meal plan! The whole family loves it, it is easy to prep with minimal clean up, and heats up great for my husband to take for leftovers to work the next day! Love it over lo-mein and over rice!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/14 at 2:27 pm

      Hi Sarah, so glad you loved it!!

      Reply
  15. Jen says

    Posted on 4/19 at 8:47 am

    This recipe is easy and delicious! Used cauliflower instead of broccoli, and it turned out amazing. So excited for all the leftovers I’ll be eating this week 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/19 at 5:10 pm

      Hi Jen, so happy you loved it!!

      Reply
  16. Heather says

    Posted on 4/8 at 8:13 pm

    This is amazing! Made it for my boyfriend and he cleaned his plate. Definitely will be making this again

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/9 at 8:01 am

      Hi Heather, so happy you both loved it!!

      Reply
  17. Lauren says

    Posted on 3/8 at 6:52 pm

    My favorite dish so far!!

    ★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/8 at 8:16 pm

      Hi Lauren, so happy you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  18. Hayley Lindahl says

    Posted on 2/25 at 10:36 am

    LOVE this recipe! I make this at least once per month and it never disappoints. I double the sauce and skip the cashews. Erin kills it again with this staple dinner!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 2/26 at 1:22 am

      Hi Hayley, so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your support!

      Reply
  19. Erin says

    Posted on 2/2 at 7:16 pm

    Love this recipe!!! Very simple ingredients and so flavorful!! A great meal to add to my list. Thank you for sharing!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 2/3 at 6:47 am

      Hi Erin, so glad you liked it! 🙂

      Reply
  20. Janelle Molitor says

    Posted on 1/4 at 11:09 am

    Soo good!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/4 at 3:47 pm

      Hi Janelle, so glad you liked it!

      Reply
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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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