Description

This Easy Crispy Cashew Chicken recipe features tender chicken breast pieces coated in a perfectly crispy crust, tossed with crunchy cashews and smoked turkey bacon, all coated in a savory-sweet sauce (natural). Quick to prepare and full of vibrant textures, this dish is perfect for a satisfying family dinner or meal prep, offering versatility and balanced flavors that pair wonderfully with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

1 lb chicken breast pieces, bite-sized
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup cornstarch (gluten-free)
Vegetable oil, for frying

Smoked Turkey Bacon

4 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped

Sauce (Natural)

3 tbsp soy sauce (natural)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp honey (natural)
1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp natural gelling agent

Additions and Garnishes

1/2 cup roasted cashews
2 green onions, chopped

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Cut chicken breast into bite-sized pieces, then season lightly with salt and pepper. Toss the pieces in cornstarch until evenly coated, ensuring they develop a crispy shell during frying.
Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each until golden and crispy on all sides. Remove and drain on paper towels to keep them crunchy.
Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: In the same pan, add chopped smoked turkey bacon and cook until crispy and fragrant. Remove and set aside.
Make the Sauce (Natural): In a bowl, mix soy sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar, honey (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and natural gelling agent. Pour the sauce into the pan and simmer gently until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
Combine and Finish: Return the fried chicken and smoked turkey bacon to the pan. Toss gently to coat all pieces with the glossy sauce (natural). Stir in roasted cashews and green onions last, preserving their crunch and freshness.

Notes

Prep chicken and coat with cornstarch ahead of time to save cooking time.
Maintain oil temperature around 350°F (175°C) for a perfect crispy crust without excessive oil absorption.
Fry chicken in small batches to avoid overcrowding and keep pieces crisp.
Toast cashews briefly in a dry pan for added aroma and crunch.
Use just enough natural gelling agent to thicken sauce without it becoming sticky or stiff.
Taste the sauce before fully adding honey (natural) to adjust sweetness to preference.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 700mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 18g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: crispy cashew chicken, quick chicken recipe, gluten free chicken, cashew chicken with smoked turkey bacon, savory chicken dish