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
Scale
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.
