Cashew Chicken

I absolutely love Chinese food and having spent four months living in Beijing I have definitely had my fair share of delicious dumplings and fried rice. This was my first attempt at cashew chicken and it was heavenly. Just enough asian flavor coupled with the perfect amount of cashews, ginger and scallions makes for quite a tasty meal. Serve the chicken over brown rice or mai fun noodles (pictured above) for the perfect chinese dinner at home. Honestly, this dish will be ready in the same amount of time it would take for your Chinese delivery to arrive!

Source: The Bitten Word (Originally adapted from Everyday Food September 2009)

You Will Need:

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry (or cooking wine, or leave out)
• 2 tsp. minced, peeled, fresh ginger
• 3 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
• coarse salt
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2/3 cup unsalted cashews, toasted
• 2 green onions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced

Here We Go:

• In a medium bowl, toss chicken with sherry, ginger, and 1 1/2 tsps cornstarch; season with salt
• Refrigerate 30 minutes
• In another bowl, combine broth, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch and set sauce aside
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 Tbsp oil over medium-high heat
• Add half the chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5 minutes
• Transfer chicken to a covered plate
• Add 1 tsp oil to skillet and cook remaining chicken (reduce heat if chicken is over-browning) and transfer to plate
• To same skillet, add 1 teaspoon oil, garlic, cashews, and green onion whites
• Cook, stirring constantly, until garlic begins to soften, about 30 seconds
• Whisk sauce and add to skillet along with chicken
• Cook until sauce thickens, about 30 seconds
• Top with green onion greens and serve with rice or noodles.

Serves 4
Happy Feasting!