Description
This Cashew Chicken with Noodles recipe offers a delicious and quick Asian-inspired meal featuring tender chicken pieces, crunchy cashews, and thick rice noodles all tossed in a savory-sweet sauce. Enhanced with garlic, green onions, and a touch of sweet chili sauce, this stir-fry dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Noodles
- 8 ounces uncooked thick rice noodles
For the Chicken and Sauce
- 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 6 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup unsalted cashews
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- Toasted sesame seeds, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the noodles: Cook the rice noodles according to the package directions, typically by boiling until they are tender but still slightly firm. Drain them well to remove excess water.
- Make the chicken marinade: In a small bowl, combine the reduced-sodium soy sauce, cornstarch, and minced garlic. Stir well to create a smooth marinade.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the cubed chicken breasts to the soy sauce mixture and stir until all pieces are evenly coated. This will help tenderize and flavor the chicken.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the peanut and sesame oils in a large, heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken mixture and sauté, stirring frequently, until the chicken is no longer pink and starts to brown, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add green onions: Stir in the cut green onions and cook for an additional 1 minute to soften slightly and release their flavor.
- Combine with noodles and cashews: Drain the noodles well and add them to the skillet with the chicken and onions. Add the unsalted cashews and sweet chili sauce, stirring everything together to combine and heat through evenly. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve: Remove from heat and, if desired, garnish with toasted sesame seeds before serving to add a nutty flavor and extra crunch.
Notes
- Use thick rice noodles for the ideal chewy texture that complements the sauce and chicken.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of sweet chili sauce or add a splash of sriracha.
- To keep cashews crunchy, add them at the end of cooking rather than sautéing them.
- Substitute chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful meat alternative.
- For gluten-free preparation, ensure soy sauce is gluten-free or use tamari.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: Cashew chicken, rice noodles, stir-fry chicken, Asian chicken recipe, quick dinner, peanut oil, sesame oil, sweet chili sauce
