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This amazing slow cooker cashew chicken is way better than takeout! The chicken is breaded to perfection, the sauce is full of flavor and the cashews hidden throughout are the best part!
Make this a restaurant-worthy meal with these sides. My tried and true favorites will make it yummy, Wontons, Egg Rolls, and of course, Rice.
Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken Recipe
My love for cashews runs deep. One time I bought a big thing of cashews from Costco and ate the entire thing by myself. Cashews are amazing. And when added to this amazing Chinese slow cooker meal. Mind blown. If you haven’t ever tried coating and browning the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker. It is a must, it makes a HUGE difference in taste and texture. It will take your Cashew Chicken to the next level. Instead of the sauce being thin, it thickens it up while it cooks and soaks the delicious marinade into the breading. As soon as it was done, I couldn’t believe that something that delicious was just made in the crockpot.
Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken has to be seriously one of the best slow cooker meals that I have ever had! The cashews add so much amazingness to this meal and it was uh-mazing! Like I couldn’t stop eating it amazing. This is one meal that you aren’t going to want to pass up! I know that your family is going to love it as much as we did!
Ingredients For Cashew Chicken
Super simple ingredients that come together to make a divine dish.
- Chicken breasts boneless skinless: About 4 pieces, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Cornstarch: Coats the chicken to create the crust when pan-cooked.
- Black pepper: Flavor booster.
- Canola oil: This is a great choice to cook the chicken in.
- Soy sauce low sodium: You can use regular if you want to.
- Rice wine vinegar: Mild flavor that still has the tang.
- Ketchup: Sweet and savory, perfect for the sauce.
- Sweet chili sauce: Adds a touch of heat.
- Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and caramelization.
- Garlic cloves: Mince your garlic
- Grated fresh ginger: Packs a punch of flavor and heat you will love.
- Red pepper flakes: More heat.
- Cashews: The nut of choice.
How to Make Cashew Chicken in the Slow Cooker
The slow cooker makes this so easy and so delicious. The extra step of browning the chicken is divine.
- Prep the Chicken:Combine cornstarch and pepper in resealable food storage bag. Add chicken. Shake to coat with cornstarch mixture.
- Brown: Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken about 2 minutes on each side. Place chicken in slow cooker.
- Sauce: Combine soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, sweet chili sauce sugar, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes, and cashews in small bowl; pour over chicken. (I like my cashews to be softer so I add them during the cooking process, if you want more of a crunch, add them right before serving)
- Slow Cook: Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours.
- Enjoy: Serve over rice. Makes 4-6 servings.
Other Ways to Cook Cashew Chicken
No Slow Cooker, No Problem: This can easily be made in a large skillet on the stovetop. After you saute the chicken add the sauce to your large skillet, let it simmer for 20-30 minutes covered. If you need to thicken the sauce more, make a cornstarch slurry of 1Tablespoon cornstarch and 2 Tablespoons cold water, mix and then stir into the sauce and bring to a gentle boil. Serve as desired.
Instant Pot: Sauté the chicken in the instant pot, once cooked remove and add the sauce. If you are getting a burn notice add half a cup of chicken broth. Pour on the sauce and manually cook for 20 minutes.
Tips and Variations for The Best Cashew Chicken
The fact that you can make this luscious of a meal in the slow cooker is insane. It seriously tastes like take out, only better!
- Chicken: You can use chicken breasts or chicken thighs. If you do not like chicken, pork or beef are also good choices. Shrimp is not recommended as it does not do well in the slow cooker.
- Breading and Frying: It takes an extra step and a few extra minutes, but it is totally worth it. Please try to work this step into your plans. You can thank me later!
- Vegetables: Add some vegetables to round out the dish. Broccoli, zucchini, bok choy, snap peas, celery, mushrooms, edamame, and green pepper all make great choices. Add to the crockpot the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Cashews: I do not recommend using salted cashews as they will cause the dish to be too salty. If that is all you have, you can rinse them off and sauté them dry before adding them to the crockpot.
- Serve: We love this dish on rice, but you can use brown rice, cauliflower rice, zoodles, ramen noodles, or quinoa.
Storing Your Cashew Chicken
This dish tastes even better the second day.
- Fridge: Keep in tightly sealed in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Place the cooled cashew chicken in a freezer-safe bag or container that is air-tight and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use thaw in the fridge overnight. Heat in the crockpot for 1-2 hours or on the stovetop till warm and bubbly.
- Make-Ahead Freezer Meal: Make a double batch of this insanely delicious meal and freeze one batch for later use. For the freezer meal, skip dredging the chicken as it will make it a bit messy. Add everything to a freezer-safe bag except the cashews. Press all the air out of the bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, add to the crockpot, and cook as directed by the recipe. Add the cashews and enjoy!
More Asian Inspired Recipes to Try
Being able to make take-out at home and have it taste even better than the real thing is epic. It saves you money and gives you control over the ingredients, which is a huge plus. Making your meals at home from scratch is often healthier and always tastes better. It is so fun to be able to eat your favorites but know you cooked them. If you have not tried it, you must. It is way easier than you think and your family and friends will think you are amazing. Try these tried and true recipes that will have you thinking you may never go out again!
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Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts boneless skinless, About 4 pieces, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon canola oil
- 1/2 cup soy sauce low sodium
- 4 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 4 Tablespoons ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup cashews
Instructions
- Combine cornstarch and pepper in resealable food storage bag. Add chicken. Shake to coat with cornstarch mixture.
- Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken about 2 minutes on each side. Place chicken in slow cooker.
- Combine soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, sweet chili sauce sugar, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes, and cashews in small bowl; pour over chicken. (I like my cashews to be softer so I add them during the cooking process, if you want more of a crunch, add them right before serving)
- Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours.
- Serve over rice. Makes 4-6 servings.
Video
Notes
-If it is too salty you can simply use low sodium soy sauce.
-If there isn’t enough sauce, you can double the sauce or make it 1 and 1/2 times. Updated on May 20, 2021 Originally Posted on July 13, 2012
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Delicious! This has now been added to my favorite slow cooker recipe collection.
It’s got a bit of a kick which I love.
I added green beans.
I’m making it for a second time today as my partner is coming to stay and I am excited to share it with him.
Thank you Alyssa!
The sauce is too salty (I used low sodium soy sauce) and way too heavy with soy sauce, it is overpowering. I’d reduce the soy sauce to 1/4 cup. It definitely needs vegetables. This should be part of the recipe and not a side note. It’s very boring and dark colored with no vegetables. Only after I made it did I read the suggestions as they do not print with the recipe. It needs some sliced celery, green onions, maybe mushrooms or zucchini or edamame. Also, this is not really a crock pot recipe. Once you sauté the chicken it is mostly cooked. You can pour the sauce over and finish cooking in the same pan. Don’t understand why you need to put this in a crock pot.
Disappointed, will not make again.
I (LIKE U) always tinker with recipes and make it your own. Thats fine, and you’re right about the chicken being cooked. However, I cant imagine it being the same ON THE STOVE as you suggested. Dont destroy HER great recipe.
I’ve made it numerous times, it’s a great recipe! Did you ever try using pork?
I haven’t with this recipe but that sounds delicious!
I loved this recipe with the sauce as is. Once it’s fully cooked, I added chopped bell peppers, edamame, zucchini and then the cashews. Super easy and delicious meal!
This recipe of yours is one of our favorites!! So delicious!! Can’t wait to make this again for company this weekend
Mine was way too salty and I love salt 😂 I did use half the amount of chicken but the full recipe for sauce. Next time I will decrease soy sauce to 1/4 cup and add 1/4 water
Firstly, never use chicken breast for slow cooking, way too tough and dry. Thigh fillets are best. Disappointed with this recipe won’t be cooking it again 😔.
Oh no, I am so sorry to hear that! Cooking chicken in the slow cooker is a must for my family, we love all of the easy recipes. Can I ask you why you didn’t like this particular recipe? I’d love any feedback for the future!
Why is it so TANGY! I followed the recipe exactly and it too tangy to even eat it? Bunmer
My family love this and it’s one of our favourites. I prefer dump and go recipes in my slow cooker. Do you think it would work without frying the chicken first?
I always like to brown the chicken first to seal in the flavor. I haven’t tried it without. I think it would cook just fine. It might just lack some flavor.
My family didn’t care for the flavor, felt it needed to be sweeter. It was also quite dry and I cooked it on low for three hours. Won’t be making this again. Do
I liked the recipe. My husband wasn’t a fan. I added the cashews at the beginning. Next time I’ll add closer to the end so that they will have a crunch to them. Thxs!
My husband made this recipe, because I’m recovering from back surgery, so that has to be taken into consideration.
He did a good job, and I couldn’t survive with out him. He followed the recipe, but I would eliminate the vinegar and make sure you like spicy, so if you are feeding kiddos, I might eliminate it. I’m not a fan of ginger, so I would not add that next time. He did double the sauce, which I think is important, so you have enough for the rice. He also served it with broccoli. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Made this tonight and it was excellent. Will make more sauce next time, however. Thank you.
When would I add mushrooms? I have made this before and it was delightful. Thought I would add some mushrooms.
Add them to the crockpot when there are only about 30 minutes left!
It was just okay. I’ll eat it but won’t make it again.
My daughter made this for me and I loved it. The next time she came home from university, I had her make it again! I noticed she uses honey roasted cashews instead of regular, leaves out sugar. She adds slightly more garlic. Thank you for sharing this recipe