Chef John’s Cashew Chicken

Description

This is a fantastic way to use up some leftover grilled chicken breasts. This will work with any kind of cooked chicken, but leftover grilled chicken has that little bit of smokiness that adds something special to this quick recipe. Serve over hot cooked rice.

Ingredients

  • 2 grilled skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ½ cup cold water
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce, or more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Asian chile pepper sauce (such as sambal oelek)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 fresh hot red chile pepper, sliced
  • 6 thin slices fresh ginger root
  • ½ cup dry-roasted cashews
  • 2 cloves garlic, sliced
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Season chicken cubes with salt and black pepper.
  2. Mix cornstarch and water in a bowl until smooth; whisk in lemon juice
  3. rice vinegar
  4. ketchup
  5. soy sauce
  6. brown sugar
  7. and chile pepper sauce into cornstarch mixture
  8. stirring until brown sugar has dissolved and cornstarch is free of lumps.
  9. Place a heavy skillet over medium-high heat; pour in vegetable oil. Add slices of red chili and ginger to the hot oil. Cook
  10. stirring often
  11. until oil is flavored
  12. about 2 minutes. Stir in cashews and garlic; cook until cashews are lightly golden brown
  13. about 2 minutes more.
  14. Lightly toss seasoned chicken cubes with cashew mixture in skillet until combined
  15. about 30 seconds. Turn heat down to medium-low and pour cornstarch mixture into skillet. Stir constantly until sauce has thickened
  16. about 30 seconds. If too thick
  17. add a splash of water. Simmer 2 more minutes to heat the chicken through. Adjust levels of salt
  18. black pepper
  19. soy sauce
  20. and chile pepper sauce to taste. Stir in cilantro just until wilted
  21. about 15 seconds.

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

Servings: 2

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