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Air Fryer Cashew Chicken

Air Fryer Cashew Chicken

5 from 1 vote
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Crispy air fryer cashew chicken tossed with bell peppers, toasted cashews, and a garlicky honey-soy sauce. A lighter, 25-minute take on the takeout classic.

Ingredients 

Chicken

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil, or olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, or tamari
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • ⅓ cup water, or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch, plus 1 tablespoon cold water

Stir-fry

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • ¾ cup cashews, roasted unsalted
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Pat the chicken dry. Toss it with 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Spray the basket and add the chicken in a single layer. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking halfway, until it reaches 165°F.
  • Whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and water or broth. In a separate bowl, mix the 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the peppers for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Add the sauce and bring it to a simmer. Stir in the slurry and cook for 1 minute, until thickened.
  • Toss in the chicken and cashews. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds and serve over rice.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Notes

Cook times vary by air fryer model, so check the chicken's internal temperature. Toast raw cashews at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes before adding them.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 481kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 29gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 789mgPotassium: 809mgFiber: 3gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 1497IUVitamin C: 87mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 5mg