Healthy Cashew Chicken
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic grated on a microplane or well minced
- 2 tsp fresh ginger grated on a microplane or well minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce preferably low sodium
- 2 tbsp clear Chinese cooking wine (michiu) or Shaoxing
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt (more or less depending on sodium levels other ingredients)
For the cashew chicken
- 2 pounds chicken thighs diced into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp oil something with a high heat threshold such as olive, canola or vegetable oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cup broccoli florets fresh
- 1 1/2 cup cashews toasted, rough chopped
- cashew chicken sauce
Instructions
Make the sauce.
- Whisk all of the ingredients well and set aside.
Make the cashew chicken.
- Dry the diced chicken very well with paper towels to get as much moisture out as possible. This will create a nice brown crust on the meat. Add salt and toss well. Heat a heavy, wide skillet over medium high heat and add the oil. Wait until the oil is shiny and begins to smoke slightly before adding the chicken.Add the chicken to the pan. Make sure the pieces are not all crowded together. If needed, do this in a couple batches. Wait a 2 to 3 minutes before tossing. You want there to be some color on the meat. It may take 8 to 12 minutes to fully brown the chicken, depending on your skillet, how much moisture is in the chicken and how hot your pan is. Use a thermometer to check that the pieces of chicken are at 165 degrees. (You don't have to check every single piece, just check a few.) Remove the chicken from the pan.Add a bit more oil if needed, then add the broccoli. Same as the chicken, make sure each piece has their own space to ensure even caramelization and don't be quick to toss them. Give them a minute or 2 to allow them to get some color on one side. In total, cook the broccoli for around 4 to 5 minutes. They should be tender but still crisp, not mushy.Add the chicken back to the pan with the cashews and add the sauce. Give the whole thing a big toss to coat. Turn off the heat. Serve the cashew chicken hot with rice, noodles or other veggies!