Delicious Keto Cashew Chicken (Savory & Sticky!)
Enjoy the vibrant flavors of a classic Asian-inspired dish with this Delicious Keto Cashew Chicken! Tender chicken thighs are stir-fried with crisp bell peppers, onions, and garlic, then coated in a rich, sticky, and savory sauce, studded with perfectly toasted cashews. This low-carb, high-protein, and naturally gluten-free dish is a delightful addition to your health journey, perfect for a satisfying meal!
Yields: 2-3 servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3 raw boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil (for cooking)
- ¼ cup raw cashews
- ½ medium green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks
- ½ medium white onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger (or 1 ½ teaspoons fresh grated ginger)
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar (ensure no added sugar for keto)
- 1 ½ tablespoons liquid aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce/tamari)
- ½ tablespoon chili garlic sauce (check for no added sugar)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (for drizzling at the end)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for topping)
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onions (scallions), for topping
- Salt + Black Pepper, to taste
Equipment:
- Large skillet or wok
- Spatula or tongs
Instructions on how to prepare Cashew Chicken Recipe:
- Toast Cashews: Heat a large skillet or wok over low heat. Add the raw cashews to the dry pan. Toast for approximately 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until they start to lightly brown and become fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
- Remove the toasted cashews from the pan and set aside.
- Prepare Chicken & Vegetables: Dice the chicken thighs into 1-inch chunks. Cut the white onion and green bell pepper into equally large, 1-inch chunks.
- Cook Chicken: Increase the heat in the same skillet or wok to high. Add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to the hot pan.
- Once the oil is shimmering and hot, add the diced chicken thighs. Allow them to cook through, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until they are cooked through and lightly browned on all sides.
- Add Vegetables & Seasonings: Once the chicken is fully cooked, add in the green bell pepper chunks, white onion chunks, minced garlic, chili garlic sauce, and the seasonings (ground ginger, a pinch of salt, and black pepper).
- Continue to cook on high heat for about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the vegetables begin to soften slightly but still retain some crispness.
- Finish with Sauce & Cashews: Add the liquid aminos (or soy sauce/tamari) and rice wine vinegar to the pan.
- Add the reserved toasted cashews back to the pan.
- Continue to cook on high heat, stirring constantly, allowing the liquid to reduce down until it becomes a sticky, glazed consistency. There should not be excess liquid in the pan upon completing cooking. This step will take 3-5 minutes depending on your heat and pan.
- Serve & Garnish: Remove the Cashew Chicken from the heat.
- Serve immediately in a bowl.
- Top generously with sesame seeds and a drizzle of sesame oil. Garnish with fresh chopped green onions. Enjoy!
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: 333.3 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Protein: 22.6g
- Fat: 24g
- Fiber: 1.3g
- Net Carbs: 6.7g (Calculated as Carbohydrates – Fiber)
Tips for Success:
- Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are recommended for their flavor and tenderness, and they hold up well to high-heat cooking.
- High Heat: Using high heat for cooking the chicken and stir-frying the vegetables is key to getting a good sear and preventing the dish from becoming watery.
- Sweetener-Free Sauces: Ensure your rice wine vinegar, liquid aminos/soy sauce, and chili garlic sauce are sugar-free to keep the recipe keto-friendly. Read labels carefully.
- Toast Cashews Separately: Toasting the cashews beforehand brings out their nutty flavor and ensures they stay crunchy. Adding them back at the end prevents them from getting soggy.
- Reduce Sauce: Don’t rush the final step of reducing the liquid. Allowing it to become sticky and thick ensures the sauce clings to the chicken and vegetables.
- Customization: Feel free to add other keto-friendly vegetables like sliced broccoli florets (blanch first), or a few red bell pepper strips.
- Serving: This dish is delicious on its own or served over a bed of cauliflower rice.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification:
This Keto Cashew Chicken is a delightful addition to your health journey!
- High Protein: Yes, from the chicken.
- High Fat: Yes, from coconut oil, cashews, and sesame oil.
- Low-Carb: Yes, by using keto-friendly vegetables and sugar-free sauces.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly. All listed ingredients are suitable for a ketogenic diet, provided your rice wine vinegar, liquid aminos/soy sauce, and chili garlic sauce are sugar-free and compliant. Cashews should be consumed in moderation due to their higher carb count compared to other nuts.
- Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free if using liquid aminos or gluten-free tamari instead of traditional soy sauce.
Read on how to prepare Keto Dinner rolls.