If I’m being perfectly honest here, then I think it’s safe to say that eating chicken daily can get boring. That’s why you need to mix things up when it comes to the way you prepare it!
Cashew chicken is a delicious dish which you can find in many Thai restaurants and Chinese takeaways. The regular cashew chicken dish you order at restaurants isn’t keto-approved. It has many carbs, usually come from cornstarch, hoisin sauce and sugar.
So if you’re eating low carb, my Keto Cashew Chicken recipe is here to serve you.
There are lots of reasons to eat chicken. It’s low in carbs, high in protein, and tastes great. Plus, it cooks well with just about anything you pair it with.
This recipe calls for cashews, which are high in healthy fats. Research shows that monounsaturated fatty acids in cashews and other nuts help reduce cholesterol. They’re also an excellent source of fiber and magnesium.
This low carb recipe also incorporates low-carbohydrate veggies into your meal, which can sometimes be hard to get when you’re on keto. Eating veggies is a great way to get more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber into your diet to help increase energy and leave your skin looking great.
The coconut oil is a great addition to this recipe because it contributes to the nutty flavor. It also has many health benefits.
Research shows that coconut oil has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and heart healthy properties. It helps control blood sugar levels and contains lots of healthy fats that help you absorb nutrients from the rest of the meal.
To make, you’ll need bell peppers, garlic, chili flakes, coconut aminos, ginger and green onions. Toast the cashews until they are light brown for a nice crunch and beautiful fragrance.
After cooking the diced chicken add the coconut aminos, cashews and chopped green onions. Stir well, transfer to a bowl, and serve sprinkled with sesame seeds. Enjoy while hot or prepare for tomorrow’s lunch!
How to Make Low Carb Cashew Chicken
Because the chicken breast in this recipe is diced, it won’t take as long to cook. This comes in handy if you’re in a hurry! You can buy roasted cashews or you can buy the raw ones and roast them in a pan.
Start by cooking the chicken in the coconut oil (or sesame oil) and slowly add the remaining ingredients. Cook until the vegetables are soft. You don’t want to overcook them or they will lose their antioxidant properties. If you don’t like or don’t have chicken breasts, feel free to swap it with chicken thighs.
Add the rest of the ingredients in and finally add the cashews. Omit the chilli flakes if you don’t like a spicy dish! You can add some rice wine vinegar and gluten free soy sauce if you prefer.
Transfer to a plate and sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on before serving.
See more keto chicken recipes:
- Keto Chicken and Vegetables Stir Fry
- Keto General Tso’s Chicken with Cauliflower Rice
- Keto Orange Chicken
Keto Cashew Chicken
Ingredients
- 10 oz chicken meat diced
- ¼ onion cut into chunks
- ½ bell pepper cut into chunks
- ¼ cup cashew
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1 ½ tbsp coconut aminos
- ½ tsp fresh ginger grated
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp green onions chopped
- 1 tsp black sesame seeds
Instructions
- Heat a pan over low and toast the cashews until they start to brown. Set aside.
- Add coconut oil to the pan and heat to medium hot, add diced chicken and cook for 5 minutes or until done.
- When chicken is cooked, add onion, bell pepper, minced garlic, ginger and hot sauce to the pan, stir well, add chilli flakes and cook on high for 3 minutes.
- Add coconut aminos, cashews and cook for 2 minutes more to evaporate the liquid. Turn the heat off, add chopped green onions and stir well.
- Transfer to a bowl and serve sprinkled with sesame seeds.
Video
Nutrition/Macros
FAQ
Can you eat cashew nuts on keto?
Yes, you can eat cashew nuts on keto, but in moderation. Cashews are higher in carbs compared to other nuts for keto diet. 1 oz of cashew nuts contains 7.5 grams of net carbs. (*)
What to serve with cashew chicken on keto?
On a keto diet, serve cashew chicken with cauliflower rice or steamed broccoli for a low-carb side. I find that zucchini noodles or sautéed green beans also make excellent accompaniments.
How to reheat cashew chicken
You can reheat cashew chicken in the microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Alternatively, you can reheat it in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s warmed through.