Thai stir-fried chicken with roasted cashews and chilies
Cashew Chicken
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4
4 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Moderate
$$
Cashew Chicken
Thai stir-fried chicken with roasted cashews and chilies
★4.5(20)
Tender chicken stir-fried with crunchy roasted cashews, dried chilies, and onions in a sweet-savory oyster sauce. A popular Thai-Chinese restaurant dish that is easy to make at home.
10m
Prep Time
10m
Cook Time
20m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
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.
Thai cooking achieves a remarkable balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy in every dish. This recipe brings those layered flavors to your home kitchen.
Ingredients
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.
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
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.
Let the protein rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness.
Season each component individually rather than seasoning at the end — this builds deeper, more complex flavor throughout.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Store cashews separately to maintain crunch.
Reheating
Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until warmed through, or microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes. Add a splash of broth or water to prevent drying. Stovetop reheating over medium-low heat is also effective.
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
- Can I use raw cashews?
- Toast them first for the best flavor; raw cashews will lack the roasted crunch.
- How spicy is this?
- The dried chilies add aroma more than heat; reduce them if you prefer milder.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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