Honey Cashew Chicken

4.83 from 17 votes

Honey Cashew Chicken is a quick 20-minute stir fry that’s perfect for an easy dinner. With tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and a sweet-savory sauce, this homemade version is better than takeout and packed with fresh, bold flavors!

Prep Time15

Cook Time5

Total Time20

Course: Chicken

Cuisine: Asian Recipes

Keyword: Honey Cashew Chicken

Servings: people

Author: Bee Yinn Low

Ingredients

8 oz (230g) chicken breast cut into cubes
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons oil
2 cloves garlic minced
1 cup broccoli florets
1/2 small red bell pepper cut into cubes
1/2 cup roasted cashew nuts

Sauce:

1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 1/2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or Chinese rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch

Instructions

Marinate the chicken with the cornstarch for 5 minutes. This will help make the chicken tender.
Mix all the Sauce ingredients together and stir to combine well. Set aside.
Heat a skillet with the oil. Once it's heated, add the garlic and stir-fry for a few seconds before adding the chicken. Stir-fry the chicken until the surface turns white, then add the broccoli, bell pepper, and cashew nuts.
Stir to combine well before adding the Sauce. Continue to stir-fry until the chicken is cooked and the sauce thickens. Dish out and serve immediately with steamed rice.

Notes

Don’t skip the cornstarch! It’s used to velvet the chicken, making it incredibly soft and tender. This Chinese secret locks in moisture, keeping every bite juicy and melt-in-your-mouth—just like takeout.
I usually go for whole roasted cashews, but if you only have cashew halves or pieces, they work just fine.
Cooking on high heat is another must. If the pan isn’t sizzling hot, the chicken steams instead of frying, and you won’t get that amazing restaurant-style char.

Nutrition