These easy cashew chicken lettuce wraps are made in one pot in just 20 minutes! A better-than-takeout recipe that the whole family will love.
A Family Favorite
Whenever I’m craving Chinese food, this cashew chicken always comes to mind. It’s a healthier alternative to takeout and has such amazing flavor. We love to serve it in lettuce wraps, but you can also serve over rice or make a stir fry with steamed vegetables.
This cashew chicken recipe is perfect for summer and one you need to put on your “must try” list. It’s a meal that my whole family loves and my husband and I always end up going back for seconds. The chicken is so tender and the sweet and tangy sauce on top is truly divine.
The cashews hidden throughout this dish are definitely what takes it over the top! Cashews are one my favorite snacks, so any chance I can sneak them into dinner, it’s a win. They have so much flavor and are always satisfying. I just love this chicken with cashew nuts!
How to make cashew chicken
- CHICKEN. In large skillet, heat butter and oil over medium-heat. Once butter melts, add a single layer of chicken. Season with salt and pepper, then cook for 3 minutes. Once brown, flip and cook other side for additional 3 minutes. Turn heat to low and stir in garlic and cook.
- SAUCE. While the chicken cooks, whisk together the chicken stock, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, vinegar and corn starch in a small bowl.
- TOSS. Stir the sauce into the skillet and cook over low heat with the chicken until it thickens. Then stir in the cashews. Serve warm with some sliced green onions on top for an extra boost of flavor.
Favorite ways to serve
- Lettuce wraps: This is my favorite! It tastes light and fresh and is great for when you’re looking for a lower carb option.
- Over rice: It tastes delicious over white or brown rice. You could even use cauliflower rice or cooked quinoa too.
- With noodles: You could easily mix this cashew chicken together with rice noodles or spaghetti noodles.
- Vegetable stir fry: Mix in some steamed vegetables to easily turn this recipe into a stir fry.
Cooking tips + variations
- Salt. Soy sauce and hoison sauce are on the saltier side, so I like to use unsalted cashews to cut back on sodium. I also use low sodium soy sauce and chicken stock.
- Spice. For a little heat, mix in a few dashes of sriracha or red pepper flakes.
- Sauce. This dish would also taste delicious with a homemade teriyaki sauce.
- Veggies. Feel free to add in a few extra veggies, like mushrooms, peppers or broccoli.
- Crunch. You can add some crispy chow mein noodles on top for an added crunch.
- Reheating. When reheating any leftovers from the fridge, add a dash of chicken stock to thin out the sauce a little.
More takeout inspired dishes:
- PF Chang’s lettuce wraps
- Chicken and vegetable stir fry
- Egg roll in a bowl
- Baked teriyaki chicken bowls
- Instant pot orange chicken
Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon salted butter
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 pounds chicken breast , cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 3/4 cup chicken stock
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 3 Tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons corn starch
- 3/4 cup unsalted cashews
- salt and pepper , to taste
For serving: lettuce cups or butter lettuce, sliced green onions
Instructions
- Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add in a single layer of chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Allow to cook for 3 minutes, or until brown and then flip onto the other side. Let cook an additional 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Turn the the heat to low and then stir in the garlic and cook.
- While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the chicken stock, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, vinegar, and corn starch in a small bowl. Stir into the skillet and cook with chicken over low heat, until the sauce has thickened. Stir in cashews.
- Serve in lettuce cups or over rice if preferred. Top with chopped green onions if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Just like my favorite takeout cashew chicken but SO much more flavor! Cant wait to make again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This came together a little quicker than other versions I’ve tried, but they are still tasty! Can’t wait to make them again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Taste great and easy to make!!
This was super easy to make!! It tasted absolutely so good
we love hoisin sauce and cashews, will give this recipe a try but will put over rice to fill up my husband. For those saying to salty you could use unsalted cashews, that is always what I buy for snacking.
Hope you enjoy! Great tip!
Can you serve these cold?
You could! I prefer the filling warm though. :)
Just made these tonight for my housewarming party. It was really great being able to let it simmer for most of the cooking time and stay with my guests instead of slaving away alone in the kitchen all night!
Super simple to make and super tasty, my guests loved them! Will definitely be adding this to my regular recipes rotation, thanks so much for sharing! C:
I’m so glad you enjoyed these wraps! :)
Why is it posted on Facebook as being low carb? 13 carbs per serving is not low carb to anyone on a low carb diet. Why isn’t it posted here as being low carb? I don’t understand how you could post low carb on Facebook. I really hope you respond to this question. I love the recipe but not that you use salted cashews. I would use unsalted and smash them up a bit too. There are a few ways to make this lower in carbs and you should share the low carb recipe if your Facebook post advertisement is low carb.
I’m sorry this was misleading for you, we will take out the low carb wording in future postings. Putting these in lettuce wraps helps decrease the amount of carbs in the recipe. You can also substitute a different nut or decrease the amount of cashews to lower the carbs.
I actually do consider these low carb, especially compared to most Asian dishes that are served over rice or have sugar in the sace. I don’t feel that calling them low carb is misleading. Everyone’s diet is different, but these work for me!
Your food looks delicious. To bad all these pop up ads are in the way .
My husband LOVED this so much we had no leftovers and I was asked to make it again asap!!!!
I’m so glad it was a hit! Thanks for your comment and review Andrea!