Move over Panda Express, this Paleo Cashew Chicken is about to rock your world! The chicken is coated with lots of sauce (no sauce shortage here) and then it all gets tossed with lots of crunchy broccoli, for the perfect quick and easy, family-friendly dinner in under 30 minutes!
This meal is basically an upgraded cashew chicken stir fry. The chicken breast pieces are first coasted with tapioca/arrowroot flour, so that the chicken doesn’t stick to the pan and the sauce reallyyyy sticks to the chicken well. Then, we add some broccoli florets, which stay crisp-tender – exactly the way I like it. No soggy broccoli here.
And of course, you can add other veggies besides broccoli, such as red and green bell peppers and even some yummy edamame! Like all my recipes, just have fun, use up what you have in your refrigerator and make it your own!
The Cashew Chicken Sauce
Of course, the sauce is the star of this recipe, and it’s very easy to make. I recommend using a blender to mix it all up, if you have one, because I feel like the flavors really come together well. If you don’t have one, or don’t feel like using it, you can simply whisk together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and call it a day!
To make the sauce, you need the following ingredients:
- Coconut aminos: I love using coconut aminos in this recipe because it’s gluten-free, and contains less sodium than soy sauce. However, soy sauce/tamari will give the sauce more flavor, since it has a stronger flavor than coconut aminos. If using soy sauce, I recommend looking for low sodium soy sauce.
- Chicken broth: You can use any broth you like, I use chicken since we are already using chicken in this recipe.
- Maple syrup: The maple syrup will offset some of the saltiness and add just the right about of sweetness.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is always best, so if you have it, I recommend using it! Otherwise, you can substitute for 1 1/2 teaspoons of granulated garlic powder.
- Ginger: I also really love using fresh ginger in this recipe, because it does make a difference with the flavor panel. That said, if you don’t have it, feel free to use ground ginger. Just don’t skip the ginger, it really tastes so delicious in this recipe!
- Red pepper flakes: I like my cashew chicken a touch spicy, so I add just a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. You can omit it all together, or even add more, depending on your spice level preference.
- Salt & pepper: Salt and pepper to taste!
How to make this Paleo Cashew Chicken
To make this dinner in under 30 minutes, it’s pretty simple!
- The first think you need to do is chop the chicken into small cubes, then toss them in either tapioca flour, arrowroot flour, or corn starch. This is really helpful so that the chicken does not stick to the pan when cooking it, and also helps the sauce adhere to the chicken and not just slide off.
- Next, cook the chicken in the skillet for about 5-8 minutes total, then transfer the chicken to a plate. Note, the chicken won’t be completely cooked at this point, but that’s ok. It will eventually get cooked once you return the chicken to the skillet later.
- The next step is to saute the broccoli and onion in the same pan, and while that is cooking, prepare the sauce!
- To prepare the sauce, simply whisk together/blend the sauce ingredients and set it aside.
- Then it’s time to return the chicken to the skillet, add the sauce, and coat everything well.
- Add cashews on top, along with sesame seeds and cilantro, and plate your meal!
I love serving this meal on a bed of white rice, but you can definitely enjoy it alone or with some extra veggies!
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and rating below! And since I practically live on Instagram, be sure to tag me in your creations so I can see them and repost on my IG stories! Enjoy! xx
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- ½ cup tapioca flour or arrowroot flour or corn starch
- 4 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil, divided
- 1 head broccoli, cut into small, even size florets (about 1 1/2 -2 cups)
- 1 small onion, diced
- ¾ cup raw cashews
- 3 tablespoons black sesame seeds
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
Sauce:
- ½ cup coconut aminos, or low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic, mashed
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated (or ground ginger)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Chop the chicken breasts into small pieces and place them in a medium bowl.
- Next, toss the chicken pieces in the tapioca/arrowroot flour, to coat well. Set aside.
- Next, in a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of the oil.
- Once the pan gets hot, add the chicken pieces, and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, until just cooked through. They don’t need to be fully cooked, just browned on all sides.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet.
- Once hot, add the broccoli florets and the diced onion. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes.
- While that is cooking, prepare the sauce, either by whisk together the sauce ingredients in a bowl, or by blending in a blender (preferred)!
- Add chicken back to the skillet.
- Pour sauce on top and coat everything well. Cook for another 5 minutes or so, until the broccoli is tender and chicken is cooked through!
- Add cashews, sesame seeds and cilantro on top.
- Serve alone or over white rice, and enjoy!
Rate & review
SELECT A RATING and tell me what you think!
What others are saying
Really great simple recipe for a 30 minute family meal. I substituted tofu for the chicken and served it all over udon noodles. It was great!
That sounds delicious, Erin! My husband loves it with tofu, too!!! Going to try with udon noodles – yum!
Loved it. Made it for dinner this evening.
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! It’s a family favorite here!
INCREDIBLE! I ran out of broccoli so I substituted mix bell peppers! Quick and easy recipe, the whole crew enjoyed!!
I am so so so happy to hear that you enjoyed this dish! It’s a family favorite! And love the addition of bell peppers!
Loved the sauce! The whole meal was easy to make and didn’t take too long. Will definitely be making again soon:)
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed it! It’s definitely my healthy version of Panda Express!
Hi!
I’m doing the whole 30! Will it be a deal breaker if I leave out the maple syrup?
Hi! You can leave it out! It just adds a touch of sweetness which I like, but it’s not essential. Enjoy!
This was the first recipe I tried and let me say WOW!!! This is a perfect home cooked meal. My mom and I have already made it two times since, So delicious can’t wait to try more recipes!!!!!
I am so honored and happy to hear that! Thank you for trying out this recipe!
Definitely one for the whole fam! So delicious. Served with rice noodles bc my son loves all noodles and omitted the red pepper flakes for my daughter.
Yum! That sounds so delicious, Loni! Thank you so much for your review!
Delicious! I just made it for the second time in 6 days!!😂😍😋. It came together quickly after work👍🏼
Yay! I am so thrilled to hear that! Thank you so much for making this recipe, and for leaving such a kind review!
I just had to come on here and add a 5 star review because this was so delicious. We did sugar snap peas instead of broccoli and added a half a red bell pepper. Served over sweet potato (glass) noodles. Amazing!
I am so happy that you enjoyed it, Tiffany! The glass noodles sound delicious ☻ Thank you so much for your review!
My family loved this!