If you are looking for a vibrant, flavorful dish that fits perfectly into a low-carb lifestyle, the Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe is your new go-to. This recipe brilliantly combines tender chicken pieces with crunchy toasted cashews, all coated in a savory, slightly sweet sauce that bursts with ginger and garlic goodness. It’s a quick, satisfying meal that feels indulgent yet keeps you on track with your keto goals, making it a staple for busy weeknights or whenever you crave a healthy comfort food fix.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients strike a wonderful balance of freshness, crunch, and bold flavors, all easy to find but essential for creating the perfect taste and texture in this Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe.
- Sesame oil: Adds an irresistible nutty aroma that forms the base of the dish.
- Chicken breast: Lean and tender, it cooks quickly and soaks up the sauce beautifully.
- Cashews: Toasted to golden perfection for a delightful crunchy contrast.
- Minced ginger: Brings sharp, fresh warmth that’s key to authentic flavor.
- Minced garlic: Infuses the dish with savory depth and aroma.
- Dried chili: Provides a gentle spicy kick without overpowering the other flavors.
- Green onion: Fresh and crisp garnish that brightens each bite.
- Sesame seeds: Adds texture and a subtle nutty finish.
- Bell pepper (optional): Offers vibrant color and a sweet crunch if you want to mix things up.
- Tamari soy sauce: Keto-friendly and gluten-free, it’s the salty backbone of the sauce.
- Keto-friendly chili sauce: Adds heat and complexity while keeping carbs low.
- Keto-friendly honey: Just a touch for sweetness without breaking your carb count.
- Vinegar: Balances the flavors with a tangy brightness.
- Arrowroot: Used sparingly as a thickener to achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
- Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings to enhance all the other components.
How to Make Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Toast the Cashews
Start by heating a dry pan on low to medium heat and gently toasting the cashews, stirring them frequently. This process unlocks their natural oils and intensifies their nutty flavor, giving you that satisfying crunch that’s essential in this recipe. When they turn a lovely light golden color, remove them immediately to prevent burning and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the tamari soy sauce, keto-friendly chili sauce, honey, vinegar, arrowroot, and a pinch of salt and pepper. The arrowroot is key for thickening the sauce just enough to coat the chicken beautifully. Stir until everything is fully combined and the arrowroot dissolves, then set the sauce aside for later use.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Heat the sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces along with the minced ginger, garlic, dried chili, and seasoning with salt and pepper. Let the chicken cook until it’s golden and crispy, about 5 to 10 minutes. If you’re using bell pepper, toss it in halfway through to soften it slightly while retaining some crunch.
Step 4: Add the Sauce
Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the chicken. Stir well and allow the sauce to bubble gently and thicken, which should take about 4 to 5 minutes. This step is where the flavors meld together and the chicken takes on that irresistibly glossy finish.
Step 5: Finish the Dish
Once the sauce has thickened, stir the toasted cashews back into the pan, mixing them evenly throughout the dish. This final addition adds texture and a rich flavor contrast that makes every bite exciting. Finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions for the perfect garnish and a pop of freshness.
Step 6: Serve
Serve the Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe hot and fresh, ideally over fluffy cauliflower rice or wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves for a low-carb meal that satisfies big cravings without compromising your keto lifestyle.
How to Serve Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing is your chance to add those finishing touches that brighten the dish. Freshly sliced green onions deliver a mild pungency and lovely green color, while a scattering of toasted sesame seeds contributes a nutty crunch and visual appeal. Together, they lift the dish from delicious to truly special.
Side Dishes
This Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe shines when paired with cauliflower rice, which soaks up the saucy flavors without adding carbs. Alternatively, serve it alongside steamed broccoli or zucchini noodles for extra veggies and vibrant textures. Simple roasted asparagus drizzled with lemon juice also complements this dish beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual meal, offer lettuce wraps for finger-friendly eating that’s fun and interactive. Another idea is to pile the chicken onto a bed of spiralized veggies for an eye-catching, colorful plate. If you’re feeling fancy, serve it plated with a sprinkle of additional chopped cashews and a wedge of lime for a tangy pop.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The chicken retains its flavor and texture well for up to 3 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or dinners later in the week.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe if you want to prep in bulk. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 2 months. Just make sure to leave out the green onion garnish before freezing.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy again, reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. This ensures the chicken stays tender and the sauce clings beautifully, bringing the dish back to life without drying out.
FAQs
Is this Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe suitable for beginners?
Absolutely! The steps are straightforward, and the ingredients are commonly found, so even those new to keto cooking can easily master this dish in about 20 minutes.
Can I use another type of nut instead of cashews?
While cashews provide a perfect balance of crunch and flavor, you could try macadamia nuts or pecans if you prefer, but the taste profile will shift slightly.
Is the keto-friendly honey truly keto?
Keto-friendly honey is typically a low-carb sweetener designed to mimic honey’s flavor without the sugar content, so it works well in this recipe to add just a hint of sweetness.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
To keep it keto and vegetarian, you could substitute chicken with firm tofu or tempeh and adjust cooking times accordingly, though the taste will differ from the traditional version.
What can I do if I don’t have arrowroot?
If you don’t have arrowroot, you can use a small amount of xanthan gum or omit thickener altogether, just let the sauce simmer a bit longer to reduce to your desired consistency.
Final Thoughts
The Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe is a shining example of how keto meals don’t have to be boring or complicated. With its perfect blend of textures and satisfying layers of flavor, this dish feels like a treat every time you make it. Give it a try the next time you want something quick, nourishing, and truly delicious—you might just find it becoming a household favorite like it is in mine!
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Keto Cashew Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
This Keto Cashew Chicken recipe is a delightful low-carb, keto-friendly dish featuring tender chicken breast cooked with toasted cashews, fresh ginger, garlic, and a flavorful sauce made from tamari, keto chili sauce, and a touch of keto-friendly honey. Quick to prepare and packed with bold Asian-inspired flavors, this recipe is perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or a special meal served over cauliflower rice or in lettuce wraps.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ¼ cup cashews
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 dried chili
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 sliced green onion for garnish
- 1 tsp sesame seeds for garnish
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (optional)
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tbsp tamari soy sauce
- 2 tbsp keto-friendly chili sauce
- 2 tbsp keto-friendly honey
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tsp arrowroot powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Toast the Cashews: Heat a dry skillet over low to medium heat and add the cashews. Stir frequently until they become lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from the pan and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine tamari soy sauce, keto-friendly chili sauce, keto-friendly honey, vinegar, arrowroot powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well until the arrowroot is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces along with minced ginger, minced garlic, dried chili, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. If using, add chopped bell pepper halfway through cooking.
- Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Allow the sauce to bubble and thicken by cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat the chicken evenly.
- Finish the Dish: Return the toasted cashews to the pan and stir to combine them well with the chicken and sauce. Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve: Serve the keto cashew chicken hot, ideally over cauliflower rice or wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves for a low-carbohydrate meal option.
Notes
- Use keto-friendly honey alternatives like monk fruit syrup or erythritol syrup if you want to strictly minimize carbs.
- Arrowroot powder acts as a thickener; if unavailable, you can substitute with xanthan gum in very small amounts.
- Adjust the dried chili quantity based on your preferred spice level.
- Bell pepper is optional, but it adds a nice crunch and sweetness to balance the flavors.
- Serve with cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps to keep the meal low-carb and keto-compliant.
