Description
Crockpot Cashew Chicken is a cozy, flavorful slow-cooked dish featuring tender chicken thighs or breasts simmered in a savory-sweet sauce, topped with crunchy roasted cashews for delightful texture. Minimal prep and set-it-and-forget-it cooking make it an easy weeknight favorite that pairs well with rice, noodles, or vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 to 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Sauce
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
Thickener
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water (for cornstarch slurry)
Toppings & Garnish
- 1/2 cup roasted cashews, toasted
- 2 green onions, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and water or chicken broth. This flavorful sauce will infuse the chicken as it cooks, balancing sweet and savory notes.
- Arrange the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs or breasts evenly into the crockpot. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, coating each piece thoroughly for optimal flavor absorption.
- Cook Low and Slow: Set the crockpot to low and cook for 4 to 6 hours. The gentle heat tenderizes the chicken and allows the sauce to thicken and deepen in flavor.
- Thicken the Sauce: About 30 minutes before serving, mix cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry. Stir this mixture into the crockpot carefully to thicken the sauce without lumps.
- Add Crunchy Cashews: Right before serving, sprinkle the toasted cashews on top of the chicken. Stir gently to combine or use them as a garnish to retain their crunchiness and texture contrast.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful results; breasts work well for a leaner dish.
- Toasting cashews enhances their natural oils and intensifies flavor.
- Fresh garlic and ginger are preferable to powdered versions for best flavor.
- Marinate chicken in some sauce beforehand for deeper flavor if time allows.
- Adjust water or broth amount as needed depending on your crockpot to prevent drying out.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: crockpot, slow cooker, cashew chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Asian-inspired, gluten-free option, comfort food, healthy chicken recipe