The harmonious union of sweet and spicy flavors is achieved when slow cooker cashew chicken meets snap peas. This Chinese-inspired recipe deviates from the traditional stir-frying approach, instead opting for a crockpot or slow cooker that allows the flavors to intensify and meld together beautifully. The result is juicy and mouthwatering chicken, perfectly coated in a sweet and spicy sauce that complements the crunch of cashews and sugar snaps alike.
If you’ve never attempted a slow cooker cashew chicken recipe before, rest assured that it’s a game-changer. The combination of tender chicken, succulent snap peas, and crunchy cashews is pure culinary heaven. And if you’re looking for more flavor-packed recipes to try, consider pairing this dish with some Hawaiian-style chicken or a side of homemade onion rings.
How to Make Chinese Chicken
As the aroma of savory Asian cuisine wafts through your kitchen, you’ll be delighted by the simplicity and flavor of this cashew chicken recipe. While it’s primarily a crockpot-based dish, a brief searing step adds a satisfying crunch to the tender chicken. To begin, coat the chicken in cornstarch and then sauté it until golden brown. This initial step sets the stage for the slow cooker magic that follows.
Next, cook the chicken in the slow cooker, adding sugar snaps and about half of the nuts to create a rich and creamy base. The sauce is remarkably straightforward to prepare – simply whisk together the ingredients and add them to the crockpot. As the flavors meld together, let the dish simmer for approximately 6 hours before finishing with the remaining nuts and garnishing with green onions. With its bold yet balanced flavor profile, this slow cooker cashew chicken will quickly become a repeat favorite in your kitchen.
Why Chinese Chicken is Coated in Cornstarch First
When cooking with cashews in this recipe, you might be curious about the purpose of the cornstarch used to coat the chicken before cooking. This technique, commonly employed in stir-fry recipes, serves to seal the chicken’s surface, allowing it to retain its juiciness and achieve a satisfying crispiness on the outside. The resulting golden brown color is a significant improvement over an uncoated chicken, making cornstarch an essential component of this slow cooker chicken recipe.
How to Store and Reheat It
This leftover crockpot cashew chicken will remain fresh and flavorful for approximately 4 days when stored in an airtight container within the refrigerator. Prior to storage, ensure it has cooled completely to prevent the cashews from becoming soggy. While refrigeration will naturally result in a slight softening of the nuts, you can easily add some crunch by incorporating additional cashews before reheating. For convenient reheating, simply microwave or cook on the stovetop as preferred.Alternatively, this dish can be successfully frozen for up to 3 months if stored in a freezer-safe, airtight container.
Serving Suggestions
This mouthwatering Crockpot Chinese chicken with cashews is an excellent match for a plate of rice. You can opt for plain boiled rice or get creative with fried rice by adding scrambled eggs, peas, soy sauce, and your favorite veggies. Both brown and white rice work equally well as bases for this dish. Alternatively, you could try cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option that’s just as tasty. When serving to the whole family, you can’t go wrong with cashew chicken paired with rice – it’s a winning combination! To round out your meal, consider adding a side of veggies, either served alongside the rice or in place of it. Sugar snaps are the only veggie in this slow cooker recipe, so feel free to get creative and add some other options like broccoli, mushrooms, green beans, or even a colorful medley featuring a mix of vegetables such as broccoli, red bell pepper, onion, mushrooms, and yellow bell pepper.
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe FAQs
You can experiment with different nuts to give this cashew chicken recipe a unique twist. For instance, you could substitute peanuts or other types of nuts that pair well with Asian flavors. Peanuts, despite being technically legumes, are often used in various Asian dishes and can add a nice texture to the dish.
Gochujang is a crucial component that brings depth and complexity to this easy slow cooker chicken recipe. This Korean chili paste combines sweet, savory, and spicy elements, making it a staple in many Korean recipes. If you’re looking for a milder flavor, you can substitute sriracha or simply omit the gochujang altogether.
If you need to make this cashew chicken gluten-free, the hoisin sauce and gochujang present obstacles. To overcome these hurdles, replace the hoisin with tamari sauce and swap out the gochujang for sriracha.
Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken Recipe
Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken
Unite the flavors of sweet and spicy in a unique twist on traditional Chinese chicken recipes with this slow cooker cashew chicken with snap peas. Ditching the stir-frying method, this Crockpot recipe is a game-changer. With only 10 minutes of prep time required, you’ll be enjoying a delicious meal in just under 8 hours, serving 6 people.
Equipment
Instructions
To begin, heat a skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat on your stove. In a bowl, mix together diced chicken with cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Toss the mixture to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Next, add olive oil to the hot pan and swirl it around to coat the bottom. Then, add the chicken to the pan and cook for 4 minutes, stirring frequently as it cooks. Once the chicken is browned, remove it from heat and transfer it to your slow cooker. The chicken should not be fully cooked at this point. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 1 hour before adding sugar snap peas and half of the cashews. At the one-hour mark, prepare the sauce by whisking together ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Once the sauce is well combined, pour it into the slow cooker over the chicken, sugar snap peas, and cashews. Gently toss the mixture to combine everything evenly. Finally, cover the slow cooker and cook on low for an additional 6 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, add the remaining cashews to the slow cooker and let them heat through.
Notes
When it comes to seasoning your dish, opt for lite or low sodium tamari or soy sauce instead of the regular variety. If you’re looking to drastically cut back on salt intake, consider reducing the amount of tamari or soy sauce to just 1/2 cup and supplementing with an additional 1/4 cup of chicken broth. This simple adjustment can make a significant difference in the overall sodium content of your meal.