This Instant Pot Cashew Chicken Recipe is packed with flavor and is a quick and easy meal when made in the pressure cooker. This perfectly cooked chicken and cashew sauce recipe is a real winner winner chicken dinner the whole family will love.
Contents
Why You’ll Love Cashew Chicken
- If you’re looking for an easy, flavorful meal that can be made quickly in your Instant Pot or other pressure cooker, then this cashew chicken recipe is perfect for you.
- This chicken and cashew sauce recipe features tender bites of chicken with a savory sauce that is loaded with flavor. And thanks to the pressure cooker, it only takes a few minutes to cook!
Recipe Ingredients
Here are the ingredients for your cashew chicken and the delicious cashew chicken sauce.
Ingredients: Cashew Chicken Sauce:
- Hoisin Sauce: This sweet and tangy sauce adds a rich, umami depth to the dish.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce: Adds a savory, umami flavor and allows for control over the saltiness.
- Minced Garlic: Provides a pungent, aromatic note that complements the other flavors.
- White Rice Wine Vinegar: Adds a touch of acidity to balance out the sweetness of the hoisin sauce.
- Olive Oil or Sesame Oil: Used for sautéing, they enhance the flavors and create a nice sear on the chicken. Sesame oil also adds a nutty undertone.
- Chicken Stock or Chicken Broth: Forms the base of the sauce, adding a savory depth of flavor.
Main Cashew Chicken Ingredients:
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: Lean and tender, absorb flavors well and are the protein base of the dish.
- Salt & Pepper: Enhance the natural flavors of the chicken.
- Chili Powder: Adds a hint of heat to the dish, which can be adjusted to taste.
- Whole Roasted Cashews: Add a rich, buttery flavor and a satisfying crunch to the dish.
- Large Broccoli: Offers a fresh, slightly bitter contrast to the rich sauce and chicken, and adds a pop of color.
- Mini Sweet Peppers: Add a sweet, slightly spicy flavor and vibrant colors, making the dish visually appealing.
How To Make Instant Pot Cashew Chicken
Here are the step-by-step instructions for Instant Pot Cashew Chicken:
Step One: In a bowl, combine hoisin, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, chicken broth and 2 teaspoons of olive oil or vegetable oil. Set aside. Set the Instant Pot to sauté and add the rest of the oil. Once the olive oil or vegetable oil is hot, add the chicken and spices.
Step Two: Stir to coat the chicken with the spices. Cook the chicken for 3 minutes to brown the outside. Add the sauce and 1/3 cup of water to the seasoned Chicken pieces. Close the Instant Pot lid and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
Step Three: While the cashew chicken cooks, chop the broccoli and peppers into bite-size pieces. Remove the seeds from the peppers. Release the pressure via quick release and remove the Instant Pot lid.
Step Four: Remove the chicken from the sauce to let it rest and prevent the chicken from breaking apart. Add the cashews, broccoli, and peppers to the sauce in the Instant Pot.
Step Five: Let the vegetables cook on Saute mode for 4 minutes. Stir the chicken into the sauce.
Step Six: Serve your cashew chicken on rice in a bowl.
What To Serve With Cashew Chicken?
- Hibachi Fried Rice: Fragrant rice sautéed with garlic, a perfect companion to the flavorful cashew chicken.
- Stir-Fried Vegetables: Colorful medley of crisp veggies tossed in a savory soy-ginger glaze.
- Egg Drop Soup: Silky egg ribbons in a savory broth, a comforting contrast to the bold chicken dish.
- Ramen Noodles: Chewy noodles coated in a sesame-soy sauce, enhancing the overall Asian-inspired feast.
FAQ’S
What Is Cashew Chicken?
Cashew chicken is a popular Chinese dish that is made with chicken, cashews, and a savory sauce. This Asian dinner cuisine can be served over rice or noodles, and it is typically prepared using an Instant Pot or wok for fast cooking.
Can I Use Raw Cashews for Cashew Chicken?
There is some debate about whether you should use raw cashews or roasted cashews in a Springfield cashew chicken recipe.
Some people argue that the flavor and texture of raw cashews work best in this dish, while others say that roasted cashews have a more intense flavor that enhances the taste of the sauce. This cashew chicken recipe uses roasted cashews and they give the dish a great burst of flavor.
What is the Best Rice to Serve With Cashew Chicken?
While plain rice is a great base for this dish, you can also serve it with brown rice, basmati rice or even cauliflower rice for a healthier option. Experimenting with different types of grain and starch will give your cashew chicken recipe some variety.
Instant Pot Cashew Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons Of Hoisin Sauce
- 1/3 Cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Minced Garlic
- ½ Tablespoon White Rice Wine Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Cup Chicken Stock
- 2 Chicken Breast Boneless and Skinless
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Pepper
- 1/2 Tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1 Cup Whole Roasted Cashews
- 1 Large Broccoli
- 8 Mini Sweet Peppers
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine hoisin, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, chicken broth and 2 teaspoons of olive oil or vegetable oil. Set aside.
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté and add the rest of the oil.
- Once the olive oil or vegetable oil is hot, add the chicken and spices. Stir to coat the chicken with the spices. Cook the chicken for 3 minutes to brown the outside.
- Add the sauce and 1/3 cup of water to the seasoned Chicken pieces.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and turn the pressure valve to sealing. Set to pressure cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- While the cashew chicken cooks, chop the broccoli and peppers into bite-size pieces. Remove the seeds from the peppers.
- Release the pressure via quick release and remove the Instant Pot lid. Remove the chicken from the sauce to let it rest and prevent the chicken from breaking apart.
- Add the cashews, broccoli, and peppers to the sauce in the Instant Pot and let the vegetables cook on Saute mode for 4 minutes.
- Stir the chicken into the sauce and serve on rice.
Nutrition
Notes
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