Cashew Chicken On Keto: What You Need To Know

Cashew chicken is a popular takeout dish, but is it keto? The answer is yes, with some modifications. The traditional Chinese recipe includes ingredients that are high in sugar and carbs, such as oyster sauce, cornstarch, and soy. However, by swapping in low-carb alternatives like coconut aminos, fish sauce, and chicken broth, you can create a delicious keto-friendly version that's better than takeout! This dish typically includes chicken, cashews, and vegetables like bell peppers and onions, stir-fried in a savoury sauce. It's a quick and easy weeknight meal that can be made in just one pan and is perfect for those following a keto diet.

Keto Cashew Chicken recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 raw chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)
• 2 tbsp coconut oil (for cooking)
• 1/4 cup raw cashews
• 1/2 medium green bell pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 tbsp liquid aminos (or coconut aminos/soy sauce)
• 1/2 tbsp chili garlic sauce
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp green onions
• 1/4 medium white onion
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional:

• 1/2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1/2-1 tbsp sweetener (e.g. Swerve Golden Sweetener)
• 1/4-3/4 tsp xanthan gum (to thicken sauce)
• 1/4-1/2 cup chicken broth/stock
• 1/2-1 cup broccoli

Method:

• Heat a pan over low heat and toast the cashews for around 8 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
• Dice the chicken thighs, onion, and pepper into equally large, one-inch chunks.
• Increase the heat to high and add the coconut oil to the pan.
• Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and cook for about 5 minutes, until fully cooked.
• Add the pepper, onions, garlic, chili garlic sauce, ginger, salt, and pepper. Cook on high for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the liquid aminos, rice wine vinegar, and cashews. Cook on high until the liquid reduces to a sticky consistency.
• Serve in bowls, topped with sesame seeds and drizzled with sesame oil.

Tips:

• This recipe works best with chicken thighs, as chicken breasts may turn out dry.
• If you're not a fan of broccoli or bell peppers, you can substitute them with zucchini, bok choy, green beans, or mushrooms.
• For a thicker sauce, create a slurry by mixing arrowroot or konjac powder with water, then add it to the pan.
• For a paleo version, replace the xanthan gum with tapioca or arrowroot flour and use coconut palm sugar as the sweetener.

Keto Cashew Chicken ingredients

Keto Cashew Chicken is a low-carb version of a classic Chinese takeout dish. It is a simple, one-skillet meal that can be made in under 30 minutes. Here are the ingredients you will need to make this delicious and healthy dish:

Chicken and Seasonings:

• Chicken thighs or breasts: You can use boneless and skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces or one-inch chunks.
• Salt and pepper: Add salt and pepper to taste.

Oils and Sauces:

• Avocado oil or coconut oil: Avocado oil is used for cooking the chicken, while coconut oil adds a wonderful coconut flavor to the dish.
• Liquid Aminos or soy sauce: Liquid Aminos, also known as coconut aminos, are a gluten-free substitute for soy sauce.
• Rice wine vinegar: Adds a tangy flavor to the dish.
• Sesame oil: Used as a dressing rather than for cooking.
• Chili garlic sauce: Adjust the amount to control the spiciness of the dish.
• Fish sauce: Adds a savory and salty flavor to the dish.

Vegetables:

• Onion: White or yellow onion, diced or chopped into chunks.
• Bell peppers: Green, red, or color of your choice, diced or cut into chunks.
• Garlic: Minced or finely chopped.
• Ginger: Freshly grated or ground.
• Green onions: Chopped, for garnish.

Nuts:

Cashews: Raw or roasted cashews, chopped or crushed. Remember that cashews are higher in carbs than other nuts, so adjust the amount to fit your macros.

Optional Ingredients:

• Broccoli: You can add broccoli florets to the dish for some extra vegetables.
• Chicken broth: You can use chicken broth instead of Chinese wine (Shaoxing) for a little extra flavor.
• Sweetener: You can add a low-carb sweetener like golden erythritol, allulose, or xylitol to balance the flavors.
• Thickener: Arrowroot or konjac powder can be used to thicken the sauce, but it is optional.

With these ingredients, you can create a delicious and flavorful Keto Cashew Chicken dish that is perfect for a busy weeknight meal. Enjoy!

Keto Cashew Chicken cooking instructions

Ingredients:

• Chicken (breast or thighs)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Avocado oil (or coconut oil)
• Green, red, or white onion
• Green or red bell pepper
• Roasted cashews
• Sesame seeds
• Green onions
• Rice wine vinegar
• Liquid Aminos (or coconut aminos)
• Sesame oil
• Ground ginger
• Minced garlic
• Chili garlic sauce
• Broccoli (optional)
• Fish sauce (optional)
• Chicken broth (optional)
• Xanthan gum (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

First, prepare your sauce by mixing together the liquid aminos, sesame oil, minced garlic, ground ginger, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Set aside.

Heat a skillet or frying pan on low-medium heat and toast the cashews until lightly browned. Set aside.

Add avocado oil to the pan and increase the heat to high. Add the chicken and cook until done.

Add the pepper, onion, and sauce mixture to the pan and cook on high for about 5 minutes.

Next, add the liquid aminos, rice wine vinegar, and cashews to the pan. Cook until the sauce has thickened.

For an extra thick sauce, add xanthan gum to the sauce and stir until combined.

Top with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve over cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps.

Tips:

This recipe is perfect for meal prepping and can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Feel free to substitute chicken breasts for thighs, but be aware that chicken breasts may turn out dry.

For a thicker sauce, you can also add arrowroot or konjac powder.

Keto Cashew Chicken meal prep and storage

Keto Cashew Chicken is a delicious, low-carb, and healthy meal that can be easily meal-prepped and stored. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you with the meal prep and storage process.

Meal Prepping Keto Cashew Chicken

Meal prepping Keto Cashew Chicken is a convenient way to ensure you have a tasty and nutritious meal ready for busy weeknights. Here are the steps to follow:

• Section=Start by gathering all the ingredients, including chicken (thighs or breasts), avocado oil or coconut oil, cashews, vegetables of your choice (such as bell peppers, onions, broccoli, or green beans), and spices/seasonings like section= ginger, garlic, and chili flakes.
• Section=Prepare the sauce by mixing liquid aminos or soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and other optional ingredients like fish sauce, sweetener, or xanthan gum (for thickening).section=
• Section=Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces or chunks. You can also season the chicken with salt and pepper and toss it with baking soda to enhance the flavour.section=
• Section=Heat a pan or wok over medium-high heat and add the cooking oil of your choice. You can use avocado oil, coconut oil, or even olive oil.section=
• Section=Once the oil is hot, add the chicken to the pan and cook until it is browned and crispy. This may take around 5-20 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness.section=
• Section=While the chicken is cooking, you can chop your chosen vegetables into equally large chunks or bite-sized pieces.section=
• Section=Once the chicken is browned, remove it from the pan and set it aside on a plate. If needed, add a little more oil to the pan.section=
• Section=Add the chopped vegetables to the pan and cook for a couple of minutes until they are tender-crisp. You can also add garlic and ginger at this stage for extra flavour.section=
• Section=Stir in the sauce and return the cooked chicken to the pan. If using xanthan gum, sprinkle it in for a thicker sauce.section=
• Section=Continue cooking on high heat until the sauce reduces and thickens, coating the chicken and vegetables.section=
• Section=Finally, stir in the cashews and serve the Keto Cashew Chicken over cauliflower rice, lettuce wraps, zucchini noodles, or your chosen side dish.section=

Storing Keto Cashew Chicken

Keto Cashew Chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Here are some tips for storing it:

• Section=Allow the cooked Keto Cashew Chicken to cool down to room temperature.section=
• Section=Divide the dish into airtight containers or storage bags.section=
• Section=Label the containers with the date and store them in the refrigerator.section=
• Section=To reheat, simply take out the desired portion and warm it up in a pan or microwave until heated through.section=
• Section=You can also freeze this dish by portioning it into individual servings and storing them in freezer-safe containers. Thaw and reheat when needed.section=

By following these steps, you can enjoy delicious Keto Cashew Chicken throughout the week, making it a convenient and tasty addition to your keto meal plan!

Keto Cashew Chicken side dishes

Keto Cashew Chicken is a low-carb version of a classic Chinese takeout dish. It is a stir-fry, so it pairs well with Asian-inspired side dishes. Here are some suggestions:

Cauliflower Rice

Cauliflower rice is a great low-carb substitute for rice. It can be fried or steamed and served as a bed for the Keto Cashew Chicken. Some recipes even suggest making coconut cauliflower rice to add a little extra flavour to the dish.

Shirataki or "Miracle" Noodles

If you're in the mood for noodles, these are a great low-carb option. You could also make zucchini noodles for an extra serving of vegetables.

Keto Asian Chopped Salad

A crunchy salad with an Asian twist would be a great side dish for Keto Cashew Chicken.

Keto Green Beans

Green beans are a healthy and tasty side dish. You can even add some crispy bacon to the beans for some extra flavour and crunch. Just be sure to omit the bacon if you're serving it with the Keto Cashew Chicken, as it already contains cashews.

Frequently asked questions