Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

Description

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken is a delicious takeout-inspired meal made easy at home. Tender chicken is slow-cooked in a savory-sweet garlic ginger sauce, then finished with crunchy roasted cashews for the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Serve it over rice or noodles for a satisfying family dinner.

Prep Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4–5 hours on Low
• Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes

Servings

• 6 servings

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 lbs (900 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup roasted unsalted cashews
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water

For the Sauce

• ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup chicken broth
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Place the chicken pieces in the slow cooker.
2. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, chicken broth, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and black pepper.
3. Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir to coat.
4. Cover and cook on Low for 4–5 hours or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
5. Mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
6. Stir the slurry into the slow cooker, cover, and cook for an additional 15–20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
7. Stir in the roasted cashews just before serving to keep them crunchy.
8. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve over steamed rice or noodles.

Mediterranean-Inspired Variation

For a Mediterranean twist, replace the soy sauce with a mixture of chicken broth and a splash of lemon juice, add oregano and parsley, and serve over herbed rice with a side salad.

Tips

• Chicken thighs stay extra juicy during slow cooking.
• Add broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Use unsalted cashews to better control the salt level.
• For a spicy version, add red pepper flakes or sriracha.

Q&A

Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: For food safety, thaw chicken completely before placing it in the slow cooker.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes. Store cooked cashew chicken in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Q: Can I freeze it?
A: Yes. Freeze without the cashews for up to 3 months. Add fresh cashews when reheating.

Q: What should I serve with it?
A: Steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables pair perfectly.