This slow cooker cashew chicken is a healthy spin of a classic Chinese-American dish. Ditch the sugar! My crockpot version paleo and Whole30 compatible but not lacking in flavor. Instructions to make this easy chicken recipe in the Instant Pot are also included.
Ingredients For Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken
- Chicken Thighs
- Bell Pepper
- Green Onion
- Coconut Aminos or Soy Sauce
- Rice Vinegar
- Sesame Oil
- Ground or Fresh Ginger
How To Make Cashew Chicken In The Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker
- Add all ingredients except the cashews to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
- Cook HIGH 2-3 hours, LOW 4-6.
- Stir in cashews. Let sit on WARM for 5-10 minutes or until cashews are soft to your liking.
- Add all ingredients except the cashews to the Instant Pot.
- Close and seal vent. Select manual setting and set time for 6 minutes. When cooking time is complete, quick-release the pressure.
- Open the lid and stir in the cashews. Let sit on WARM for 5-10 minutes or until cashews are soft to your liking.
Healthy Cashew Chicken
Cashew chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish where chicken is stir-fried with ingredients like bell peppers, onions, and of course cashew nuts. The sauce is traditionally a savory brown sauce made from soy sauce & other seasonings. While cashew chicken is already considered a healthier Chinese-American dishes because it uses less oil and has more vegetables and lean protein, it was important to me that this recipe be paleo and Whole30 compatible. In order for that to happen, I had to clean up the sauce a bit. Unfortunately it’s not low-carb because of the cashews. And since the recipe is called cashew chicken, it doesn’t make sense to omit them. If cashews aren’t your thing, this probably isn’t the recipe for you.
What Kind Of Chicken To Use
The is best made with chicken thighs. You can use chicken breasts but please note that chicken can quickly overcook in the slow cooker. The result will be very dry chicken.
FAQs & Tips
- Cashew chicken is usually served with rice or noodles. Personally, I like to serve this cashew chicken over cauliflower rice or white rice.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- I used half of a green bell pepper and half of a red bell pepper. You can use 1 whole green or red.
- I used a 6-quart slow cooker for this recipe.
Take-Out Inspired Recipes
PrintSlow Cooker Cashew Chicken
This slow cooker cashew chicken is a healthy spin of a classic Chinese-American dish. Ditch the sugar! My crockpot version paleo and Whole30 compatible but not lacking in flavor. Instructions to make this easy chicken recipe in the Instant Pot are also included.
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (fat trimmed & cut into pieces)
- 1 cup whole roasted, unsalted cashews
-
1 bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green onion, chopped finely
- 1 tablespoon oil (for Instant Pot only)
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce)
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- Add all ingredients except the cashews to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
- Cook HIGH 2-3 hours, LOW 4-6.
- Stir in cashews. Let sit on WARM for 5-10 minutes or until cashews are soft to your liking.
- Add all ingredients except the cashews to the Instant Pot.
- Close and seal vent. Select manual setting and set time for 6 minutes. When cooking time is complete, quick-release the pressure.
- Open the lid and stir in the cashews. Let sit on WARM for 5-10 minutes or until cashews are soft to your liking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 636
- Sugar: 3.9 g
- Sodium: 887.5 mg
- Fat: 34.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 25.8 g
- Fiber: 1.9 g
- Protein: 55.3 g
- Cholesterol: 213.1 mg
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Sheryl R Cooper
Sunday 21st of May 2023
So, I guess you just add the cashews at the end??? You don't mention them
Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Beef Stir-Fry (Paleo/Whole30) - Fit Slow Cooker Queen
Monday 7th of January 2019
[…] love a good homemade Chinese recipe. Like my cashew chicken, this recipe is super easy to cook on your own, and you can make it in either your slow cooker or […]
Maria Anne M
Tuesday 6th of November 2018
I LOVE cashews, but I don't order this dish much due to the unhealthy sauces used in take away places. I cant wait to try this healthy version!