PF
A vibrant and delicious cashew chicken stir fry, perfect for a healthy meal.
StovetopComplexity

Cashew Chicken

This Cashew Chicken delivers 49g protein and 606 calories per serving — a balanced option for lifters maintaining or moderately bulking. Quick-preps 4 servings on the stovetop, letting you stir-fry and batch in under 30 minutes. Pair with rice or noodles to hit both protein and carb targets without separate meal prep components.

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Ingredients

4 servings
  • Chicken Breast, Boneless Skinless(680g)

    Boneless skinless. Buy in bulk and freeze — Costco rotisserie packs work too.

  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • Cornstarch(15g)
  • Soy Sauce, Low Sodium(15g)
  • Cashews(180g)
  • Vegetable oil(15g)
  • Bell Pepper
  • Ginger, Fresh Root(10g)
  • Garlic(10g)
  • Water Chestnuts, Canned, Drained
  • Green Onion (Scallion)
  • Cornstarch(10g)
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • Hoisin sauce(60g)
  • Sesame Oil, Toasted(10g)
  • Soy Sauce, Low Sodium(30g)
  • Vinegar, Rice, Seasoned(15g)
  • Brown sugar(15g)

Instructions

  1. 1Marinate the chicken. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, salt, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Toss to coat and set aside.
  2. 2Heat a large dry skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the cashews, and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. 3Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the 2 teaspoons cornstarch and water until fully combined. Add the hoisin sauce, sesame oil, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, the rice vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir until fully combined.
  4. 4In the same skillet over medium-high heat, heat the vegetable oil until shimmering. Add the marinated chicken and spread into a single layer. Cook, undisturbed, until browned on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook until browned on the other side,  1 to 2 more minutes.
  5. 5Add the bell pepper and cook, scraping up andy browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the chicken is cooked through and the bell pepper is beginning to soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the water chestnuts (if using), garlic, and ginger and cook for 2 more minutes.
  6. 6Add the green onions and sauce. Once the sauce comes to a simmer, add the toasted cashews and toss to combine. Cook, stirring often, until the sauce has reached your desired thickness, 2 to 3 minutes longer.
  7. 7Serve over rice, if desired.

Nutrition — Per Serving

606

calories

49g

protein

31g

fat

Carbohydrates
34g
Saturated fat
5.5g
Sodium
741 mg
Dietary fiber
2.3g

4 servings per batch · ~266g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Cashew Chicken have per serving?

Each serving provides 49g of protein and 606 calories with 31g fat and 34g carbs. This is a balanced, protein-rich option with enough carbohydrate to support workout performance.

How long does Cashew Chicken take to make?

Cashew Chicken qualifies as quick prep and makes 4 servings in one stovetop session. Batch-prepping all four portions at once gives you multiple ready-to-eat meals for the week.

Is Cashew Chicken good for muscle gain?

At 49g protein and 606 calories per serving with 34g carbs, this recipe is well-suited for muscle gain phases where you need both protein and carbohydrate for energy and recovery. The calorie and carb content makes it a complete meal option without requiring additional sides.

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