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–+ servings
Benjamin

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken is a must-try recipe!

Tender chicken coated in a savory-sweet sauce with crunchy cashews—this Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken is better than takeout! It's a fuss-free meal that brings your favorite Chinese restaurant flavors to your own kitchen with minimal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 -6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for browning
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 3/4 cup unsalted cashews
  • 2 green onions chopped (for garnish)
  • Cooked white rice or steamed broccoli for serving

Method
 

  1. Prep Chicken: Toss chicken pieces in cornstarch until well coated.
  2. Brown (Optional but Recommended): Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken on all sides (about 2-3 minutes). This step enhances flavor but can be skipped if in a rush.
  3. Load the Crockpot: Place chicken into the slow cooker. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
  4. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 1.5–2.5 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  5. Add Cashews: Stir in cashews during the last 15–20 minutes of cooking to keep them crunchy.
  6. Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve over rice or steamed veggies.

Notes

  • For extra veggies, toss in bell peppers or snap peas during the last hour of cooking.
  • You can use roasted or raw cashews, but roasted gives a nice crunch and flavor.
  • Great for meal prep—this dish keeps well for up to 4 days in the fridge

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Let us know how it was!