The Best Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken Recipe for Cozy Nights

Tender chunks of chicken dance with a delightful cashew slow cooker cashew chicken recipe that promises comfort in every bite.

Weeknight dinners just got a whole lot easier with this effortless meal.

The savory sauce coats each morsel, creating a symphony of flavors that will have everyone at the dinner table asking for seconds.

Crisp cashews provide a delightful crunch against the soft, succulent chicken.

This dish brings restaurant-quality taste straight to your kitchen with minimal effort.

Packed with protein and bursting with Asian-inspired seasonings, the recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

You’ll fall in love with how quickly this dinner comes together, making it a perfect solution for busy families seeking delicious and satisfying meals.

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken: Takeout At Home

• Toss chicken in cornstarch, brown quickly, and let the slow cooker do the magic with minimal hands-on cooking.
• Combines sweet, tangy, and spicy notes from soy sauce, chili sauce, and red pepper flakes for a taste explosion that keeps everyone excited.
• Choose your preferred cashew texture by adding them during cooking for softness or just before serving for an extra crispy bite.
• Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pot wonder delivers restaurant-quality flavor without complicated techniques or extensive kitchen time.

Cashew Chicken Ingredient Rundown

• Chicken: A lean protein that serves as the primary component of this comforting slow cooker dish.

• Cornstarch, Black Pepper: A mixture that helps create a light, crispy exterior on the chicken and adds subtle seasoning.

• Canola Oil: Provides a neutral cooking medium for browning the chicken and ensuring a golden exterior.

• Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami flavor to the dish.
• Rice Wine Vinegar: Brings a tangy brightness to balance the sauce.
• Ketchup: Provides sweetness and helps create a rich, glossy sauce.
• Sweet Chili Sauce: Introduces a sweet and slightly spicy element to the flavor profile.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps caramelize the sauce.
• Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that provide intense, complex flavor to the dish.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Contributes a subtle heat and spiciness.

• Cashews: Adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor, which can be incorporated during cooking or just before serving for varying textures.

• Rice: A classic accompaniment that perfectly complements the saucy chicken dish.

Tools For Slow Cooker Magic

• Slow Cooker: Essential for long, gentle cooking that makes chicken tender and infuses flavors.
• Skillet: Perfect for browning chicken and creating a golden exterior before slow cooking.
• Resealable Food Storage Bag: Great for evenly coating chicken with cornstarch mixture.
• Small Bowl: Ideal for mixing sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Necessary for precise ingredient quantities.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helpful for stirring and mixing ingredients.

Cooking Cashew Chicken Step-By-Step

Step 1: Dust Chicken with Flavor

Mix cornstarch and pepper in a large resealable bag.

Toss chicken pieces inside the bag, shaking until every piece is evenly coated with the spicy cornstarch mixture.

Step 2: Create Golden Edges

Warm canola oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Quickly sear chicken pieces for about 2 minutes on each side, developing a beautiful golden-brown exterior.

Transfer the browned chicken to the slow cooker.

Step 3: Craft the Magical Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Rice wine vinegar
• Ketchup
• Sweet chili sauce
• Brown sugar
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Red pepper flakes
• Whole cashews

Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until perfectly blended.

Pour the aromatic sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker.

For a softer cashew texture, add them during cooking.

For extra crunch, sprinkle them just before serving.

Step 4: Let the Magic Happen

Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours.

The chicken will become incredibly tender, and the flavors will meld together beautifully.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Spoon the succulent cashew chicken over fluffy rice.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and nutty flavors that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Tips For Saucy, Tender Cashew Chicken

• Quickly brown chicken in skillet before slow cooking to lock in flavor and maintain a firmer texture.
• Add cashews during the last 30 minutes of cooking for maximum crispiness or sprinkle on top just before serving.
• Reduce or eliminate red pepper flakes for a milder version, perfect for sensitive palates.
• If sauce seems too thin, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Prepare chicken and sauce mixture the night before, refrigerate, and start slow cooking in the morning for an easy weeknight dinner.

Cashew Chicken Variations To Try

• Spicy Peanut Chicken Variation: Replace cashews with roasted peanuts and add sriracha sauce for extra heat.
• Gluten-Free Asian Chicken: Swap soy sauce with tamari, use cornstarch-free coating, and ensure all sauces are gluten-free certified.
• Vegetarian Tofu Version: Substitute chicken with firm tofu cubes, using same marinade and cooking method for plant-based protein alternative.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Base: Replace rice with cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrates while maintaining the dish's original flavor profile.

Serving Cashew Chicken Over Rice

• Cozy Family Dinner Companion: Pair with steamed white or brown rice for a complete, satisfying meal that soaks up the delicious sauce.
• Veggie Boost Sidekick: Complement the dish with stir-fried broccoli, snap peas, or roasted bell peppers to add color, nutrition, and extra crunch.
• Garnish Glow-Up: Sprinkle fresh chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or additional whole cashews on top for a restaurant-style presentation that adds texture and visual appeal.
• Weekend Meal Prep Magic: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days, making this dish perfect for quick lunches or next-day dinners with minimal reheating effort.

Storage For Cashew Chicken Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the chicken remains fresh and safe to eat.
• Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Seal tightly, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, sprinkle few drops of water to prevent drying. Cover and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly.
• Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add small splash of chicken broth or water to maintain moisture. Stir gently until heated thoroughly, about 3-5 minutes.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute chicken with boneless pork or turkey thighs. Adjust cooking time accordingly and ensure meat is fully cooked.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild heat from red pepper flakes. You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to increase or decrease spiciness according to your preference.

• Do I need to use rice wine vinegar specifically?

No, you can substitute rice wine vinegar with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. Each will provide a slightly different flavor profile but work well in the recipe.

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor delightful slow cooker cashew chicken, a comforting Chinese-inspired dish packed with tender chicken and crunchy nuts. Hearty flavors meld together, offering you a simple yet satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 pieces, cut into 1-inch pieces)

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) low sodium soy sauce
• 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) rice wine vinegar
• 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) ketchup
• 3 tablespoons (45 grams) cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) sweet chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons (25 grams) brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) canola oil
• 1 cup (150 grams) cashews

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Instructions

1. Prepare a seasoning blend by combining cornstarch and pepper in a sealable plastic bag. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces by shaking them in the mixture.
2. Warm canola oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Quickly sear chicken for approximately 2 minutes per side to develop a golden exterior, then transfer to slow cooker.
3. Create a vibrant sauce by whisking together soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ketchup, sweet chili sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl.
4. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker. For texture variation, decide whether to add cashews during cooking for a softer result or reserve them to sprinkle just before serving for extra crunch.
5. Set slow cooker to LOW temperature and allow chicken to simmer for 3-4 hours, ensuring meat becomes tender and flavors meld harmoniously.
6. Once cooking is complete, gently stir the chicken to coat with sauce. Serve over steamed rice, garnishing with reserved cashews for a delightful textural contrast.

Notes

• Prep Ahead: Marinate chicken in sauce mixture overnight for deeper, more intense flavor profile.
• Texture Control: Add cashews in the last 30 minutes of cooking for maximum crunch or sprinkle fresh cashews just before serving for a crisp contrast.
• Low-Sodium Option: Use reduced-sodium soy sauce and replace some sauce with low-sodium chicken broth to cut down on salt content without sacrificing taste.
• Dietary Modifications: Swap chicken with tofu for a vegetarian version or use cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice for a low-carb alternative.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 90mg