Stir-Fried Chicken with Bell Peppers and Cashew Nuts
A vibrant and flavorful stir-fry featuring tender chicken, crisp bell peppers, and crunchy cashew nuts in a savory sauce. This asian-inspired stir fry ready in about 27 minutes pairs thinly sliced chicken breast, medium, julienned red bell pepper, medium, julienned yellow bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, thinly sliced chicken breast
- 1 medium, julienned red bell pepper
- 1 medium, julienned yellow bell pepper
- 1/3 cup, roasted cashew nuts
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 2, chopped green onions
- 1 tsp, grated fresh ginger
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water until smooth; set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb thinly sliced chicken breast, stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the edges turn opaque and the chicken is nearly cooked through.
- Step 4: Toss in 1 medium julienned red bell pepper and 1 medium julienned yellow bell pepper, stir-fry for another 2 minutes until vegetables are slightly tender but still crisp.
- Step 5: Pour in the prepared sauce mixture and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and vegetables.
- Step 6: Stir in 1/3 cup roasted cashew nuts and 2 chopped green onions, drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the top, and toss everything together briefly before removing from heat.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Chicken with Bell Peppers and Cashew Nuts take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Bell Peppers 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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Bell Peppers 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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Bell Peppers 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.
What goes well with Stir-Fried Chicken with Bell Peppers and Cashew Nuts?
Asian stir fry like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.