If you are craving a delicious, flavorful, and low-carb dinner that feels both comforting and exciting, the Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe is an absolute winner. This dish balances tender chicken, crunchy toasted cashews, and a savory, slightly spicy sauce packed with ginger, garlic, and chili for a flavor explosion. Sweetened just right with keto-friendly honey and brought together with tamari soy sauce, every bite is perfect for anyone following a keto lifestyle or simply looking for a satisfying, healthy meal that comes together in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe lies in its simple yet carefully curated ingredients. Each element plays a vital role in creating layers of taste and texture, making the dish far from ordinary.
- 3 tbsp sesame oil: Adds a rich, nutty flavor and perfect cooking medium for the chicken and aromatics.
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces: The lean protein base that soaks up all the gorgeous sauce flavors.
- ¼ cup cashews: Toasted for crunch and creaminess, complementing the tender chicken beautifully.
- 1 tbsp minced ginger: Provides a warm, peppery kick that awakens your palate.
- 1 tbsp minced garlic: Contributes depth and classic savory notes.
- 1 dried chili: Adds a subtle heat that amps up the dish without overpowering.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential to balance and enhance every flavor.
- 1 sliced green onion for garnish: Brings fresh color and a mild onion bite at the end.
- 1 tsp sesame seeds for garnish: Adds visual appeal plus extra nuttiness.
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (optional): For a splash of color and a touch of natural sweetness.
- 2 tbsp tamari soy sauce: The gluten-free soy sauce alternative that deepens the umami flavor.
- 2 tbsp keto-friendly chili sauce: For a perfectly balanced dose of spicy and sweet.
- 2 tbsp keto-friendly honey: Provides that hint of sweetness while keeping carbs low.
- 1 tbsp vinegar: Adds brightness and help cuts through richness.
- 1 tsp arrowroot: Acts as a thickening agent for the sauce without impacting the keto count.
How to Make Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Toast the Cashews
Start by gently toasting the cashews in a dry pan over low to medium heat. This step is crucial because toasting enhances their natural buttery flavor and crunch, which perfectly contrasts with the tender chicken. Keep stirring frequently so they toast evenly without burning. Once they turn a lovely golden color, transfer them to a bowl and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
While the cashews cool, whisk together the tamari soy sauce, keto-friendly chili sauce, keto-friendly honey, vinegar, arrowroot, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Stir until the arrowroot is fully dissolved. This sauce will bring all the wonderful flavors together and thicken nicely during cooking, coating every piece of chicken with a glossy, delicious finish.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Heat the sesame oil in a skillet on medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken pieces along with minced ginger, minced garlic, dried chili, salt, and pepper. Sauté the chicken for about 5 to 10 minutes or until it’s golden brown and crispy on the edges. If you’re using the chopped bell pepper, throw it in halfway through cooking so it stays vibrant and slightly crunchy.
Step 4: Add the Sauce
Pour the prepared sauce into the pan with the chicken. Let it simmer and gently bubble for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally so the sauce thickens and clings to the chicken and veggies. This step marries all the rich, spicy, sweet, and tangy elements into one irresistible dish.
Step 5: Finish the Dish
Once the sauce is perfectly glossy and thick, fold in the toasted cashews. They add delightful texture and a mild nuttiness that rounds out the flavors beautifully. To make it picture-perfect, sprinkle the sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the top just before serving.
Step 6: Serve
Serve your Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe hot and fresh. It’s fantastic over cauliflower rice or wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves for a fresh, low-carb meal everyone will love.
How to Serve Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Don’t skip the garnishes: sliced green onions and sesame seeds add an inviting pop of color and a final boost of crunch. They also lift the dish’s presentation from great to restaurant-worthy.
Side Dishes
This Keto Cashew Chicken pairs perfectly with cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles to keep things keto-friendly. For a refreshing contrast, a simple cucumber salad or steamed broccoli with lemon juice works wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist at your next dinner, serve the chicken in crunchy iceberg or butter lettuce cups as handheld bites. You can also spoon this vibrant dish over a bed of sautéed kale or toss it into a keto-friendly wrap for a quick, protein-packed lunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Keto Cashew Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken more, so stir before reheating to loosen it up. It’s a wonderful ready-made meal to keep the keto momentum going the next day.
Freezing
If you want to prep in bulk, this recipe freezes well for up to 2 months. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags before freezing. Just be mindful that cashews may lose some crunch after freezing and reheating—consider toasting fresh cashews after thawing if desired.
Reheating
For best results, reheat gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can add a splash of water or broth if the sauce has become too thick. Avoid microwaving for long periods to preserve texture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts instead of cashews?
Absolutely! While cashews bring the perfect balance of creaminess and crunch, almonds or macadamia nuts also work well if you need a substitute. Just toast them similarly before adding.
Is the Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe spicy?
The dish has a gentle heat thanks to the dried chili and keto chili sauce, but it’s not overwhelmingly spicy. You can adjust the amount of chili to suit your taste, or omit it for a milder version.
What if I don’t have arrowroot for thickening?
If you don’t have arrowroot, you can substitute with a small amount of xanthan gum or reduce the sauce a bit longer for thickening. Just add xanthan gum sparingly as it thickens quickly.
Can I make this recipe with chicken thighs?
Yes! Chicken thighs would be delicious and even juicier. Just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they cook through evenly without drying out.
What keto-friendly sweeteners can I use instead of honey?
For keeping carbs low, you can swap the keto-friendly honey with monk fruit sweetener or erythritol-based syrup. Taste and sweetness levels may vary, so adjust accordingly.
Final Thoughts
This Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe is one of those go-to dishes that feels like a special treat but comes together easily on any busy weeknight. With its brilliant combination of textures and flavors, it’s sure to become a beloved staple in your keto recipe collection. Give it a try—I promise it will brighten up your dinner table and keep you coming back for more.
Print
Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
Keto Cashew Chicken is a flavorful low-carb dish featuring tender chicken breast stir-fried with toasted cashews, aromatic ginger, garlic, and a spicy-sweet sauce made with keto-friendly ingredients. This quick and easy recipe is ideal for a healthy dinner served over cauliflower rice or wrapped in lettuce leaves, perfect for those following a ketogenic diet.
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Cashews
- 3 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ¼ cup cashews
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 dried chili
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (optional)
For the Sauce
- 2 tbsp tamari soy sauce
- 2 tbsp keto-friendly chili sauce
- 2 tbsp keto-friendly honey
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tsp arrowroot starch
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Garnish
- 1 sliced green onion
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Toast the Cashews: Toast the cashews in a dry pan over low to medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Once they are lightly golden and fragrant, remove them from the pan and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix tamari soy sauce, keto-friendly chili sauce, keto-friendly honey, vinegar, arrowroot starch, salt, and pepper. Stir well until the arrowroot dissolves completely, creating a smooth sauce mixture. Set this aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breast pieces, minced ginger, garlic, dried chili, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pieces are golden brown and cooked through. Halfway during cooking, add the chopped bell pepper if using, cooking until it softens but remains crisp.
- Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the cooked chicken and vegetables. Let the sauce bubble and thicken as you stir occasionally for 4 to 5 minutes, ensuring the chicken pieces are evenly coated and the sauce is glossy.
- Finish the Dish: Return the toasted cashews to the skillet and stir to combine thoroughly. Remove from heat and sprinkle the dish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish.
- Serve: Serve the keto cashew chicken hot, ideally over cauliflower rice or wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves to keep the meal low-carb and keto-friendly.
Notes
- You can substitute arrowroot starch with xanthan gum if preferred, using about half the amount to thicken the sauce.
- The dried chili adds heat but can be omitted or adjusted according to spice preference.
- Use keto-friendly honey alternatives like monk fruit syrup or erythritol-based sweeteners if strictly avoiding sugars.
- For additional veggies, snap peas or broccoli can be added along with the bell pepper for more texture and nutrients.
- This dish reheats well and can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
