Best 2 Chef Johns Cashew Chicken Recipes

If you're looking for an easy and delicious way to make cashew chicken, then you've come to the right place. Chef John's cashew chicken recipe is a flavorful and versatile dish that can be easily customized to your liking. Whether you're a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned cook, this recipe will help you create a delicious meal that your family and friends will love.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CHEF JOHN'S CASHEW CHICKEN

Chef John's Cashew Chicken image

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.

Provided by Chef John

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian

Time 30m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 16

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

Steps:

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

Nutrition Facts : Calories 539 calories, Carbohydrate 30.4 g, Cholesterol 73.1 mg, Fat 32.9 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 33.5 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 828.8 mg, Sugar 12.1 g

CREAMY CASHEW CHICKEN CURRY

Creamy Cashew Chicken Curry image

Mooove over, real cream - this curry is made rich and creamy with (cow-free) cashew cream, which is remarkably similar to heavy cream in appearance, taste, and in-sauce behavior. In fact, cashew cream actually thickens up faster. You won't need anything too exotic, besides maybe garam masala, to make this straightforward recipe. Garnish with whole cashews, lime wedges, and cilantro. Serve with rice, garlic naan, or both!

Provided by Chef John

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Indian

Time 4h50m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

2 teaspoons kosher salt, or more to taste
1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
2 teaspoons paprika
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
2 teaspoons garam masala
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
1 cup chicken broth
2 cups cold water
¾ cup whole roasted cashews
⅓ cup sliced green onions
⅓ cup freshly chopped cilantro
1 lime, juiced

Steps:

Mix salt, cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne, turmeric, and garam masala together in a small bowl.
Cut a chicken thigh in half lengthwise along the crease. Halve the thicker portion to end up with three 2-inch pieces. Repeat with remaining chicken thighs.
Transfer chicken to a bowl. Add oil and about 1/2 of the spice blend; mix thoroughly. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the fridge for 4 to 12 hours.
Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large pan over high heat until melted and golden brown. Add the chicken in a single layer. Cook until browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Return chicken and accumulated juices to the bowl.
Heat remaining butter in the same pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, remaining spice blend, tomato paste, garlic, and ginger. Cook and stir until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add the chicken and any accumulated juices.
Combine water and cashews in a blender; blend on high speed until very smooth. Stir cashew cream into the pan. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until flavors blend, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in green onions and cilantro; taste for seasoning. Squeeze in lime juice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 287.4 calories, Carbohydrate 9.4 g, Cholesterol 76.8 mg, Fat 18.5 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 22 g, SaturatedFat 5.4 g, Sodium 823.9 mg, Sugar 2.2 g

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh vegetables, tender chicken, and flavorful cashew nuts will make all the difference in this dish.
Don't overcrowd the pan: When cooking the chicken and vegetables, make sure to do so in batches so that they don't steam instead of stir-frying.
Cook the chicken until it's just cooked through: Overcooked chicken will be tough and chewy, so make sure to remove it from the pan as soon as it's no longer pink in the center.
Use a good quality soy sauce: A dark soy sauce will give the dish a richer flavor than a light soy sauce.
Don't be afraid to adjust the flavor: If you like your food spicy, add some chili peppers or Sriracha sauce. If you prefer a sweeter dish, add some honey or brown sugar.

Conclusion:

Cashew chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for a weeknight meal. It's packed with flavor and can be customized to your liking. So next time you're looking for a quick and tasty dinner, give cashew chicken a try!