If you’re looking for a fast, healthy, and irresistibly delicious dinner idea, you’re going to fall in love with this Cashew Chicken Recipe! It’s a stir-fry that’s packed with juicy chicken, crispy vegetables, and crunchy roasted cashews — all coated in a savory, glossy sauce.

I make this whenever I want something flavorful and satisfying but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. It’s ready in under 30 minutes and tastes even better than takeout!

Let’s dive right in!

Why You’ll Love This Cashew Chicken:

Ready in under 30 minutes
Packed with colorful, crisp vegetables
Perfect balance of textures and flavors
Family-friendly and great for meal prep

Ingredients You’ll Need:

For the Chicken and Marinade:

400g chicken breast or thighs (sliced thinly)
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp water
1/4 tsp white pepper powder
1 tbsp cornstarch
A pinch of baking soda (optional, for extra tenderness)
1 tsp sesame oil

For the Stir-Fry:

2 tbsp oil (for cooking)
3 slices fresh ginger
6 cloves garlic (minced)
1 zucchini (cut into bite-size pieces)
2 stalks celery (cut into bite-size pieces)
1 tbsp rice wine (optional)
1 tsp sugar
Salt to taste
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tbsp water mixed with 1 tsp cornstarch (slurry)
1/2 cup roasted cashew nuts

How to Make Cashew Chicken – Step by Step

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Slice the chicken thinly against the grain (for breast) or however you like (for thighs).

In a bowl, combine:

Soy sauce
Water
Oyster sauce
White pepper powder
Cornstarch
A tiny pinch of baking soda

Mix well until the chicken is coated. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil and give it one last toss.

Set aside to marinate while you prepare the other ingredients.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

Slice ginger into 3 pieces.
Mince the garlic cloves.
Cut the celery and zucchini into uniform, bite-sized pieces.

Pro Tip: Uniform cutting ensures even cooking.

If your cashews are raw, lightly toast them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or dry-toast them in a pan until golden brown.

Step 3: Stir-Fry the Vegetables

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large wok or deep skillet over medium-high heat.

Add ginger slices and let them sizzle briefly.

Add half the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.

Sprinkle in a pinch of sugar and salt.

Immediately add the celery and zucchini. Stir-fry quickly for 2-3 minutes just until they are coated in oil but still crisp.

Splash a little rice wine over the veggies (optional) to boost flavor.

Cook for another minute to evaporate the alcohol.

Remove the veggies from the pan and set aside.

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Chicken

In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed.

Spread the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer.

Let them sear briefly without stirring to get some golden color.

Flip and sear the other side.

Add the remaining minced garlic and stir-fry everything together.

Season with:

1 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce

Continue stir-frying until the chicken is cooked through and evenly colored.

Step 5: Make the Sauce and Finish

Stir your prepared cornstarch-water slurry and pour it into the pan.

The sauce will bubble and thicken immediately, coating the chicken beautifully.

Return the stir-fried veggies to the pan.

Give everything a quick toss to combine.

Finally, sprinkle the roasted cashews over the top.

Toss gently and cook for another 30 seconds.

And that’s it! Your delicious Cashew Chicken is ready to serve.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice or brown rice.
Great with fried rice, noodles, or even inside wraps.
Perfect for lunchboxes or quick weeknight dinners.

Pro Tips for Perfect Cashew Chicken

Cut chicken and veggies into uniform sizes for even cooking.
Don’t overcook the veggies — keep them crisp!
Use roasted cashews for extra flavor and crunch.
Marinate the chicken while prepping veggies to save time.
Stir the cornstarch slurry again before adding — it settles quickly.

Why I Keep Coming Back to This Recipe:

Cashew Chicken is one of those dishes that makes you feel like a kitchen hero with very little effort.

It’s colorful, flavorful, and comes together so quickly — perfect for days when you want something comforting without spending hours cooking.

Plus, the combination of tender chicken, crunchy veggies, rich sauce, and buttery cashews is simply unbeatable!