Cashew Chicken and Broccoli Recipe

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Looking for a delicious and easy-to-make meal that combines the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy flavors? Look no further than our Cashew Chicken and Broccoli recipe!

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This easy dish is a perfect blend of tender chicken breast, crisp-tender broccoli, and crunchy cashews all tossed in a savory sauce made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sriracha and rice wine vinegar.

Mmmmmm . . . umami. I love the salty-sweet layers of a good Asian-inspired sauce. I’m usually a by-the-book recipe follower (unlike my daughter), but I love doing “a little of this, a little of that” when making a sauce.

Lately I’ve been using hot honey as the sweetener in a lot of my dishes. It is created by infusing chili peppers or chili flakes into honey, resulting in a unique flavor profile that balances the heat of the peppers with the natural sweetness of the honey. I love it, but you can also use regular honey.

cashew chicken and broccoli served over rice.

I also like to cook the chicken breasts whole, cool them a bit, then cut into bite-size pieces. Cook the chicken bites with a little sauce to really get a good carmelized flavor before adding the remaining ingredients. When I don’t want to cook rice, I’ll boil the noodles from a ramen pack and serve with this chicken instead. Mmmmm!

This recipe is not only delicious, but also easy to customize to your taste preferences. Whether you’re looking for a quick weekday dinner or a flavorful meal for entertaining, this Cashew Chicken and Broccoli recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings and impress your guests. So, let’s get cooking!

sauteed cashews on a sheet of kitchen paper.

Recipe Ingredients

Chicken Breast. Chicken breast is the most common choice for making chicken and broccoli dishes. It is lean, versatile, and cooks relatively quickly, making it an ideal option for this recipe.

Broccoli. For this dish, I prefer to steam the broccoli instead of preparing it as in a stir-fry. I find it easier to get the right consistency to the broccoli by steaming it.

Hot Honey. Made with 100% pure honey, real chili peppers and vinegar. If you cannot find hot honey, use regular honey.

Cashew Nuts. Cashews are often added to chicken and broccoli dishes to provide a delightful crunch and a touch of richness to the overall flavor profile.

Soy Sauce. Adds a salty and savory taste to the sauce.

Hoisin Sauce. This thick, rich sauce enhances the umami flavor and adds depth.

Sriracha. Spicy sriracha complements the other flavors in the dish, adding a bold and vibrant element. It’s an optional addition but can help balance out the sweetness from the added honey and hoisin sauce and provides a contrast to the savory soy sauce

Rice Wine Vinegar. This helps balance out the richness of other ingredients and adds a subtle acidity that brightens up the overall taste of the dish.

Garlic. Fresh garlic has a robust and savory flavor that adds depth and complexity to the dish.

How to make Cashew Chicken and Broccoli:

sauce ingredients for chicken and broccoli being stirred together in a glass bowl.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook 5 minutes on each side to cook just until no longer pink inside. Remove chicken breasts from the pan and set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
While chicken is cooling, stir together sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and return to skillet. Spoon a couple of tablespoons of sauce over the chicken. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to carmelize onto the chicken chunks.
Add the remaining sauce, steamed broccoli, and cashews to the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes to blend all the flavors.
Serve over cooked rice.

cashew chicken and broccoli sauteeing in a pan.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Yes! When using chicken thighs in a chicken and broccoli recipe, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly as they may take a bit longer to cook through compared to chicken breast. Ensure that the chicken thighs reach a safe internal temperature before serving.
Ultimately, whether you choose chicken breast or chicken thighs, both can work well. It comes down to your personal preference for flavor, texture, and cooking method.

How to serve Chicken and Broccoli?

This dish can be served in various ways depending on your preference.
The classic option would be over steamed rice, noodles or pasta.
However, you can also serve it stir-fry style as a standalone stir-fry dish. Present it on a plate or in a bowl, with the chicken and broccoli arranged attractively. Drizzle the sauce over the top for added flavor.
Another option would to be serve it with a side of vegetables like steamed carrots, snap peas, or bell peppers. This adds variety to the plate and makes it more visually appealing.
Remember to garnish your dish with fresh herbs, such as cilantro or parsley, to add a touch of freshness and a pop of color. Feel free to get creative and adapt the serving style based on your personal preferences and the occasion.

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