Chicken Stir-Fry with Ginger and Cashew Nuts

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken strips stir-fried with crisp vegetables, toasted cashews, and a savory ginger soy sauce. This asian-inspired chicken (high protein, gluten free option) ready in about 30 minutes pairs thinly sliced chicken breast, unsalted cashew nuts, medium, sliced red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 420 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 1/4 cup water until smooth and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add 1/2 cup unsalted cashew nuts and toast for 2 minutes until golden, then remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb thinly sliced chicken breast to the hot wok, stir-frying for 4-5 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
  4. Step 4: In the same wok, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Add 1 sliced medium red bell pepper, 2 cups broccoli florets, and 1 julienned medium carrot. Stir-fry for 4 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
  6. Step 6: Return the chicken and toasted cashews to the wok. Pour the prepared sauce over and stir-fry for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything evenly.
  7. Step 7: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil, sprinkle 1/4 tsp black pepper, and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chicken Stir-Fry with Ginger and Cashew Nuts take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chicken Stir-Fry with Ginger and Cashew Nuts?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep thinly sliced chicken breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chicken Stir-Fry with Ginger and Cashew Nuts?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chicken Stir-Fry with Ginger and Cashew Nuts for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Chicken Stir-Fry with Ginger and Cashew Nuts high protein?

Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein, gluten free option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.