Before you start
Set up the first moves
Start by having chicken breast, cubed, roasted cashews, and dried red chilies ready, then dry-toast cashews in a pan until golden.
Thai stir-fried chicken with roasted cashews and chilies
Cashew Chicken
Photo source: Pexels licensed local image by Horizon Content
SavePrep Time
10 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4
4 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Moderate
$$
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Cashew Chicken
Thai stir-fried chicken with roasted cashews and chilies
Tender chicken stir-fried with crunchy roasted cashews, dried chilies, and onions in a sweet-savory oyster sauce. A popular Thai-Chinese restaurant dish that is easy to make at home.
10m
Prep Time
10m
Cook Time
20m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
Recipe by Sarah Chen
Reviewed by RecipePool Global Kitchen Desk
Editorially reviewed for image relevance, instruction clarity, ingredient fit, visual checkpoints, and practical home-cooking usefulness.
Meet the reviewing desk//
Thai cashew chicken (gai pad med mamuang) is a beloved quick stir-fry where the crunch of roasted cashews meets tender chicken in a glossy, savory-sweet sauce.
Kitchen intelligence
Kitchen notes for Cashew Chicken
Timing read
20 minutes, mostly cooking
Plan for 10 minutes prep and 10 minutes cooking. Midway check: Add onion, bell pepper, and stir-fry 2 minutes until slightly softened.
Flavor logic
Built around chicken breast, cubed
chicken breast, cubed, roasted cashews, dried red chilies, and onion, diced carry the main flavor and texture, so measure them before you adjust seasoning or heat.
Serving plan
4 servings
For Thai and Chinese, the finish should match this final cue: Fold in toasted cashews.
Visual checkpoints
What to look for as you cook
Reference
Finished dish reference
Cashew Chicken should look close to this before serving: clear color contrast, distinct texture, and a ready-to-eat finish.
Cue
Prep
Prep checkpoint
Have 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cubed, 1/2 cup roasted cashews, 6 dried red chilies measured and ready before heat goes on. Dry-toast cashews in a pan until golden.
Cue
Finish
Final cue
Fold in toasted cashews.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cubed
- 1/2 cup roasted cashews
- 6 dried red chilies
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
Ingredient notes
Ingredients worth checking
Shopping focus
Prioritize chicken breast
Chicken breast, roasted cashews, dried red chilies, and onion carry most of the flavor. Spend attention there first.
Prep notes
Prep in recipe order
Set up the ingredients in list order and keep time-sensitive items nearby.
Adjustment logic
Cashews can flex
If needed, use Roasted peanuts in place of Cashews. More affordable with a similar crunchy effect
Optional items
Keep the core intact
Keep the main items intact; use garnish, heat, or acidity for small adjustments.
Shopping guide
Shopping notes for Cashew Chicken
Buy first
Check chicken breast quality
Chicken breast is the ingredient most likely to affect freshness and texture.
Package check
Match package size to the recipe
Roasted cashews may come in larger containers than needed; confirm amounts before buying backups.
Cost control
4 moderate-cost servings
Use store brands, pantry staples, or simpler sides before changing the core ingredients.
Storage planning
Shop with leftovers in mind
Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Useful Kitchen Picks
Gear and pantry options that fit this recipe
These are optional, recipe-relevant searches for tools or pantry staples that can make this specific recipe easier to repeat.
DepthPantry
Helpful Pick
Soy Sauce
Pantry upgrade
Why the soy sauce matters
This is doing more than adding salt. The right soy sauce gives the recipe a rounder, more savory base than a thin generic bottle.
This pantry choice affects depth more than most seasonings here.
- Builds savory backbone quickly
- Useful across stir-fries, marinades, and dipping sauces
A better soy sauce is one of the easiest pantry upgrades for Asian cooking.
Shop soy sauce for this recipeAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product links are included when they are directly relevant to the recipe.
What You'll Need
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Heatproof spatula
- Baking pan
- Mixing bowl
- Blender or food processor
Instructions
- 1
Dry-toast cashews in a pan until golden. Set aside.
- 2
Stir-fry dried chilies in oil for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chicken and cook until golden, about 4 minutes.
- 3
Add onion, bell pepper, and stir-fry 2 minutes until slightly softened.
- 4
Add oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and a splash of water. Toss to coat everything in the glossy sauce.
- 5
Fold in toasted cashews. Serve immediately over jasmine rice.
Technique notes
Technique checkpoints
Key method moments pulled from the written steps.
Prep phase
3 steps
Key move
Stir-fry dried chilies in oil for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Why it matters
Finish this step before adding ingredients or changing the heat.
Watch for
Move on after this instruction is complete: stir-fry dried chilies in oil for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Finish phase
2 steps
Key move
Fold in toasted cashews.
Why it matters
Add toppings after cooking so fresh, crunchy, or acidic finishes stay distinct.
Watch for
Plate while the main dish is still hot, then add crunchy, acidic, or fresh garnishes right before serving.
Doneness cues
Doneness checks for Cashew Chicken
Look for
Chicken breast, cubed should look ready
Fold in toasted cashews.
Heat cue
Control heat before adjusting
If the surface is changing too fast before the center or sauce is ready, lower the heat and give the recipe time to catch up.
Timing cue
10 minutes cook window
Use the 10 minutes prep window to get organized so the cooking stage can move without rushed substitutions.
Final adjustment
Taste and adjust at the end
For Cashew Chicken, prep the ingredients before cooking and use the written times as practical checkpoints.
Troubleshooting
Fixes while cooking Cashew Chicken
Texture check
If the texture seems off
Check this step before adding heat or liquid: Add onion, bell pepper, and stir-fry 2 minutes until slightly softened.
Timing check
Built around 10 minutes of cooking
Cashew Chicken starts with about 10 minutes prep. Steady heat and small adjustments are usually enough.
Seasoning check
Adjust late, not early
Before changing seasoning, check this tip: Add cashews at the very end so they retain their crunch in the finished dish.
Leftover check
Keep leftovers useful
Reheat in a wok and add fresh cashews before serving.
Scaling guide
Scaling notes for Cashew Chicken
Half batch
Plan for about 2 servings
For Cashew Chicken, halve the main ingredients evenly and season lightly until the final taste check.
Double batch
Scale toward 8 servings
For Cashew Chicken, use a wider pan, larger pot, or second tray so the short ingredient list has room.
Timing changes
Prep time changes more than cook time
Cook time starts around 10 minutes; prep starts around 10 minutes.
Leftover math
4 servings
Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Make-ahead timeline
Make-ahead notes for Cashew Chicken
Earlier in the day
Prep what will slow you down
Start with this setup step: Dry-toast cashews in a pan until golden.
Before serving
20 minutes total planning window
Cashew Chicken moves quickly, so avoid starting until the table, sides, and serving pieces are close to ready.
Leftover plan
4 servings to manage
Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheat without damage
Use gentle heat
Reheat in a wok and add fresh cashews before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve over steamed jasmine or sticky rice
Pair with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi
Add a drizzle of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor
Meal fit
Meal pairings for Cashew Chicken
Meal role
Main meal for 4
Pair this main course with sides that add contrast: crisp, fresh, acidic, or starchy as needed.
Best timing
20 minutes weeknight slot
Low-friction timing for Cashew Chicken. Add a small buffer if serving guests.
Diet fit
Dairy-Free
Keep the sides aligned with dairy-free: vegetables, grains, sauces, or garnishes should follow the same constraint.
Occasion fit
Weeknight Dinner
Good for weeknight dinner when sides can be handled while the main recipe cooks.
Substitutions
CashewsRoasted peanuts
More affordable with a similar crunchy effect
Chicken breastShrimp
Cook for just 2 minutes until pink for cashew shrimp
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Add cashews at the very end so they retain their crunch in the finished dish.
Use whole dried chilies for aroma; remove before eating or eat them if you love heat.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Store cashews separately to maintain crunch.
Reheating
Reheat in a wok and add fresh cashews before serving.
Cooking Notes
Editor's Note
For Cashew Chicken, prep the ingredients before cooking and use the written times as practical checkpoints. Taste at the end for salt, acidity, and texture so the final dish feels balanced.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (75mg) · 4 servings
Calories380
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein30g
Carbohydrates18g
Fat22g
Fiber680mg
Sugar2g
Sodium6g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I keep cashews crunchy in stir-fry?
- Add cashews near the end so they warm through without losing their crisp texture.
- How hot should the pan be for cashew chicken?
- Use high heat and cook in batches if needed. Crowding the pan makes the chicken steam instead of brown.
RecipePool Global Kitchen Desk
Cashew Chicken is kept in the public catalog after review for image relevance, ingredient fit, instruction clarity, and practical page quality.
See how our editorial desks review recipesPhoto source: Pexels licensed local image by Horizon Content