Stir-Fried Chicken with Bell Peppers and Cashews
A quick and colorful stir-fry combining tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and sweet bell peppers in a savory soy sauce glaze. This chinese-inspired stir fry ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breast, medium red bell pepper, medium 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 boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper
- 1 medium green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 2, sliced green onions
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: Slice 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast into thin strips about 1/2 inch wide. Set aside.
- Step 2: Core and seed 1 medium each of red, yellow, and green bell peppers, then cut into 1-inch strips.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water until smooth. Set the sauce aside.
- Step 4: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1/2 cup raw cashews and toast for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove cashews and set aside.
- Step 5: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp sesame oil and 3 minced garlic cloves plus 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger. Sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic, being careful not to burn.
- Step 6: Add the sliced chicken strips to the skillet and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the edges turn opaque and the chicken is nearly cooked through.
- Step 7: Toss in the sliced bell peppers and continue stir-frying for 3 minutes until the peppers are tender-crisp.
- Step 8: Pour the prepared soy-hoisin sauce over the chicken and vegetables, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and coats everything evenly, about 1-2 minutes.
- Step 9: Return the toasted cashews to the skillet and mix thoroughly.
- Step 10: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving.
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 Cashews 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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Bell Peppers and Cashews?
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 medium red bell pepper from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Chicken with Bell Peppers and Cashews?
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 Cashews 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 Cashews?
Chinese 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.
