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Chef John's Quick Cashew Chicken

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PREP TIME
20 min
COOKING TIME
10 min
TOTAL TIME
30 min
SERVINGS
2 servings
Dinner
Chef John's Quick Cashew Chicken
Ingredients
  • 2 grilled skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce, or more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Asian chile pepper sauce (such as sambal oelek)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 fresh hot red chile pepper, sliced
  • 6 thin slices fresh ginger root
  • 1/2 cup dry-roasted cashews
  • 2 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
1
Prepare the chicken by sprinkling it with salt and black pepper to enhance its flavor.
2
Combine water and cornstarch in a bowl, stirring until they form a uniform mixture; then add lemon juice, rice vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, and chile pepper sauce to the bowl, stirring until the brown sugar has fully dissolved and the cornstarch is free of lumps.
3
Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, pouring in vegetable oil to create a suitable base for cooking; add slices of red chile and ginger to the hot oil, stirring frequently until the oil is flavored, approximately 2 minutes. Stir in cashews and garlic; cook until the cashews are lightly golden brown, about 2 minutes more.
4
Combine the seasoned chicken cubes with the cashew mixture in the skillet, stirring gently until they are well-coated, roughly 30 seconds. Reduce heat to medium-low and pour the cornstarch mixture into the skillet, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, approximately 30 seconds. If necessary, add a small amount of water to achieve the desired consistency. Simmer the chicken for an additional 2 minutes to heat it through.
5
Adjust the seasoning of salt, black pepper, soy sauce, and chile pepper sauce to your liking; then stir in cilantro just until it has wilted, about 15 seconds.