14 Apr 2025
Cook time 10 min
Prep time 25 min
Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp vinegar
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp sesame oil
2 red hot chili peppers
2 garlic cloves
16 oz broccoli
1 cup chinese peas
1/2 cup scallions
2 cups lettuce
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup cashew
Chicken stir-fry with cashews, chili, and broccoli is a flavorful and nutritious dish that combines tender chicken breast with crunchy vegetables, cashews, and a savory sauce. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying lunch. It's an excellent way to incorporate a variety of vegetables and lean protein into your diet.
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Marinade:
- In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil. Mix well until the sugar dissolves.
2. Marinate the Chicken:
- Place the thinly sliced chicken breasts in a shallow dish or a zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and let it sit for at least 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
3. Prep the Vegetables:
- While the chicken is marinating, prepare your vegetables. Thinly slice the chili peppers, mince the garlic, chop the broccoli into florets, trim the ends of the Chinese peas, chop the scallions, and roughly chop the lettuce.
4. Cook the Chicken:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the marinated chicken slices to the wok, reserving the marinade. Stir-fry the chicken for 4-6 minutes, or until it is fully cooked and browned.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
5. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
- Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil to the wok if needed. Toss in the garlic and chili peppers, and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the broccoli florets and Chinese peas to the wok. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Toss in the scallions and cook for an additional minute.
6. Combine Ingredients:
- Return the cooked chicken to the wok along with any reserved marinade. Stir everything together, cooking for another 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
7. Add Cashews and Lettuce:
- Finally, add the cashew nuts and chopped lettuce to the wok. Stir gently to combine and heat through, about 1-2 minutes. The lettuce should be slightly wilted, and the cashews should be warm but still crunchy.
8. Serve:
- Transfer the chicken stir-fry to a serving dish. Serve hot as is, or over a bed of steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal. Enjoy your delicious and healthy chicken stir-fry with cashews, chili, and broccoli!
Tips:
- Prep all your ingredients before you start cooking to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Cut the chicken and vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Stir-fry over high heat to quickly cook the ingredients and lock in their flavors and textures.
- Toast the cashews in a dry pan beforehand for added flavor and crunch.
- Adjust the amount of chili peppers based on your spice tolerance.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix a small amount of cornstarch with water and add it during the cooking process.
In conclusion, chicken stir-fry with cashews, chili, and broccoli is a delicious and healthy meal that is quick and easy to prepare. By following these tips, you can create a perfectly balanced dish that is full of flavor and nutrition. Whether you're cooking for yourself or your family, this stir-fry is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.