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    Home » Recipes » All Recipes » Chicken, Pork, and Beef

    Thai Cashew Chicken Recipe

    Published: May 20, 2022 · Modified: Jun 4, 2025 by Pailin Chongchitnant · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    If you want to learn how to make the best possible cashew chicken stir fry at home, get ready. This is my "ultimate guide" to this popular takeout dish. I'm giving you all the tips and tricks that I know, (even some surprising ones), to maximize the flavour. It's also very quick to make; a perfect weeknight dinner. This is my husband's all-time-fave Thai dish, and he wanted to let you know that this version is awesome 😉.

    a plate of cashew chicken

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    What is Cashew Chicken? Is it Chinese or Thai?

    Cashew chicken is simply a stir fry of chicken and cashews with a sauce that's got a salty-sweet flavour profile. Many people might think of cashew chicken as a Chinese dish, and indeed China is where this dish originated. You can tell by the presence of sesame oil, which we don't use very much of in Thai cooking.

    But Thai cuisine is heavily influenced by Chinese food, and this is one dish that has become a mainstay in Thailand, and in Thai it's called gai pad med mamuang himmapan ไก่ผัดเม็ดมะม่วงหิมพานต์ . (I swear that whole thing just says "cashew chicken stir fry"!)

    But as usual, no matter where dishes come from, once they arrive in Thailand, Thai people put our own spin on it. So the flavours are a little different in predictable ways; a little lighter, a little spicier, and with a little more fish sauce 😉.

    Ingredients and Notes

    Here are all the ingredients for Thai cashew chicken with important notes. It looks like a lot, but many of these you probably already have on hand. And if anything looks unfamiliar, not to worry - I'll explain everything you need to know!

    • Spicy dried chilies (optional). You can use any kind you want, I uses the generic dried chilies you find at Chinese markets. These are totally optional, but they are a classic part of cashew chicken in Thailand. They serve mostly as garnishes but people can also break them up for extra heat.
    • Extra-roasted cashews. The extra roasting makes them a little darker, crunchier, and nuttier! (See more under Pro Tip)
    • Garlic, chopped
    • Green onions, halved lengthwise and cut into 1-2 inch pieces.
    • Chicken thigh or breast, cut into bite-sized pieces. If using breasts don't cut them thinner than ½-inch to prevent them from drying out too quickly.
    • A mix of green, red and/or yellow bell peppers, 1-inch diced
    • Onion, 1-inch diced
    • Soy sauce
    • Golden Mountain Sauce, this is another type of Thai soy sauce. You can use Maggi Seasoning instead which is very similar, or sub more fish sauce.
    • Fish sauce
    • Sugar
    • Thai chili paste, store bought or homemade. For store bought I like Mae Pranom brand, but Pantai brand is also good. (See more on this in the FAQ)
    • Oyster sauce
    • Toasted sesame oil

    How to Make Cashew Chicken

    Here's a bird's eye view of the steps. But to ensure success I highly recommend watching the video tutorial before you start, as I often include extra tips; and for a very fast-cooking dish like this it's always good to see the whole process ahead of time, as you won't have time to read the recipe once the stove is on!

    process shots for making cashew chicken steps 1-4
    1. Marinade chicken in soy sauce. If using breast, add a little water.
    2. Combine all sauce ingredients together.
    3. Heat oil in a wok until very hot and spread the chicken in one layer and allow to sear.
    4. Once browned, toss the chicken until fully cooked. Remove from the pan.
    process shots for making cashew chicken steps 5-8
    1. In the same wok, add the garlic and cook till golden.
    2. Add the onions and cook briefly.
    3. Add bell peppers, chicken, and the sauce mixture.
    4. Toss on high heat for about a minute until everything is well combined and heated through.
    process shots for making cashew chicken steps 9-10
    1. Turn off the heat, then toss in the cashews and green onions.
    2. Enjoy with some jasmine rice!

    Pro Tips: Why This Recipe Is Special

    • Double-roasting cashews make them crunchier and nuttier, and that makes then pop. Some brands of commercially roasted cashews are quite light in colour, and aren't that crunchy. Stick them on a baking sheet and roast them again at 350°F for another 8-10 minutes, and you'll get crunchier and nuttier-tasting cashews that will be well worth the extra time.
    • Marinating the chicken while you prep makes it flavourful inside and out. The sauce is super flavourful, but it's only sitting on the outside. For the best result your chicken should also be flavourful inside.
    • Browning chicken adds flavour without the need to fry. Restaurants often dredge the chicken in flour and then deep fry them before tossing them into the stir fry. But if you just let the chicken brown in the wok, you'll develop that deeper "fried chicken" flavour, no frying required!
    • Adding onions after the garlic keeps them crisper. You might be tempted to cook onions first along with the garlic to get them soft and sweet, but here, the sauce is already sweet, and the chicken is tender, so minimally-cooked onion can better provide balance.

    lightly roasted cashews vs dark roasted cashews on a baking sheet
    Roasting store-bought roasted cashews again get them darker, nuttier and crunchier.

    How to Make Cashew Chicken Faster

    If you love cashew chicken and, like my husband, want to eat it again and again but don't want to do all the prep every time, I got you. Here are a couple of ways you can prep ahead and save time when the urge for cashew chicken strikes:

    Make a big batch of cashew chicken sauce

    1. Make 3, 4 or even 10 times the amount of sauce in this recipe. Be sure to scale all ingredients proportionally. Because sugar doesn't dissolve well in the thick sauce, I would first dissolve it in just a little bit of hot water before adding it to the rest of the sauce ingredients. Stir to mix well.
    2. Measure the final volume of the sauce before you put it away, and divide it by the number of batches to get the volume that you need per batch. Write this amount on a piece of tape and tape it to the jar so you don't forget. Keep it in the fridge, it'll last indefinitely. Stir the sauce well before using.

    OR..Start with my Universal Stir Fry Sauce

    1. If you don't want cashew chicken THAT often, make a jar of my universal stir fry sauce, which is super useful for all sorts of things, including this recipe.
    2. For the recipe given below, use 3 tablespoon of the universal sauce instead of the oyster sauce, soy sauce, Golden Mountain Sauce, and fish sauce. When you cook, you'll just need to add the chili paste, sugar and sesame oil.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    It is better to use chicken breast or thighs?

    I prefer chicken thighs in most dishes, cashew chicken included, because it's fattier, more flavourful, and much less likely to be overcooked and dry. If you prefer chicken breast though, not a problem, it works quite well here in this flavourful sauce. But if using breasts, add a little extra water to the marinade to give it a little extra juiciness - especially if you overcook them, which is easy to do with chicken breast.

    What is Thai chili paste? Is there a substitute?

    Thai chili paste is a sweet-savoury thick paste that is loaded with umami. It's made mainly from dried chilies, shallots, garlic and dried shrimp.

    Some people do not add Thai chili paste to cashew chicken, but my strong preference is for versions with. It adds a rich, sweet-savoury flavour that makes it truly stand out. If you don't add it, it'll taste like a generic chicken stir fry - just with cashews. Nothing wrong with that, but to me a Thai cashew chicken really needs it.

    If you can't find it in stores or online, you can make it at home using this recipe here. It's also really useful to have on hand for our famous tom yum goong soup as well!

    You can also try adding Korean gochujang plus a teaspoon of extra sugar, but know that the flavours between Thai and Korean chili pastes are very different, so it won't taste the same. I think the Korean version will still be tasty regardless, so if you do try it let me know how it goes!

    What kind of dried chilies do I need? Do I even need them?

    The dried chilies are completely optional for this, as they serve more as a garnish than an integral part of the dish, and not everyone eats them. But they're an iconic "look" for Thai cashew chicken, so I have to include them here. You can also add dried chili flakes instead for some heat without having to deal with whole chilies.

    If using whole chilies, they need to be fried so they become crispy and can be easily broken and incorporated into the stir fry for those who want to eat them. (See video for how I eat the chilis).

    You can use any kind of dried chilies that are about medium spicy. So chile de arbol are great, or I've used generic ones you can find at Chinese stores. Avoid ones that are large though, as I find it harder to get them crispy without burning them.

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    Before you start, be sure to watch the video tutorial to ensure success! I always include little tips and tricks not mentioned in the blog post. The video is in the recipe card below, but you can also watch it on YouTube!

    a plate of cashew chicken

    Cashew Chicken Recipe

    By: Pailin Chongchitnant
    A popular takeout dish that's easy to make at home and is super weeknight-friendly. This authentic Thai recipe also includes many tricks to maximize deliciousness. Guaranteed to be better than takeout!
    4.92 from 35 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 8 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Thai
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 391 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 14 oz boneless skinless chicken thighs, bite-sized pieces (see note 1)
    • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoons neutral oil
    • 7-10 dried chilies, small to medium size, (optional)
    • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
    • ½ onion, 1-inch diced
    • ¾ cup green bell pepper, 1-inch diced
    • 1 ¼ cups red, orange and/or yellow bell pepper, 1-inch diced
    • ¾ cup unsalted roasted or raw cashews, plus extra for sprinkles (see note 2)
    • 2 green onions, halved lengthwise and cut in 1.5-inch

    Sauce

    • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon Golden Mountain sauce, (see note 3)
    • 1 teaspoon fish sauce
    • 1 ½ teaspoon sugar
    • 1 ½ Tablespoons Thai chili paste,
    • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

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    Notes

    1. I prefer chicken thighs for this, but if using breasts, cut them into pieces no thinner than ½ inch thick, to prevent them from drying out too quickly. Also add 1 ½ tablespoon water to the marinade to give them some extra juiciness. 
    2. You can also start with raw cashews and roast them as per the instructions below.
    3. Instead of Golden Mountain Sauce you can sub Maggi Seasoning or more fish sauce in equal amounts.

    FULL VIDEO TUTORIAL

    All my recipes come with step-by-step video tutorials with extra tips not mentioned in the blog post, so make sure you watch the video to ensure success. If you enjoy them, consider subscribing to the YouTube Channel to not miss an episode. Thank you!

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    Instructions
     

    • For the cashews: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and roast the cashews (yes even if you bought them roasted, roast them again) on a baking sheet for 8-10 minutes, and until they darken in color. If starting with raw cashews, roast them for 10-12 minutes, stirring them half way through for more even roasting, until they are slightly darker than golden.
      ¾ cup unsalted roasted or raw cashews
    • Combine the chicken thigh with soy sauce and mix well. If using chicken breast, add 1 ½ tablespoon of water in addition to the soy sauce. In either case let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
      14 oz boneless skinless chicken thighs, 2 teaspoons soy sauce
    • Combine all sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
      1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon Golden Mountain sauce, 1 teaspoon fish sauce, 1 ½ teaspoon sugar, 1 ½ Tablespoons Thai chili paste, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
    • If using dried chilies, add the oil to a wok and add the dried chilies; turn the heat on to low. Keep stirring the chilies until they puff and darken into a maroon colour, about 1 minute. Quickly remove them with a mesh skimmer, leaving the oil behind, and place them onto a paper towel lined plate to drain.
      7-10 dried chilies, small to medium size, 2 tablespoons neutral oil
    • In the same wok, turn the heat up to high. Once the oil is very hot, add the chicken and spread the pieces out into one layer as much as you can.
      Allow the chicken to sear, undisturbed, for about 2 minutes or until the underside is nicely browned. Once browned, toss the chicken, and keep cooking, stirring frequently, until the chicken is completely cooked. Turn off the heat and remove the chicken from the pan, leaving all the oil behind.
    • With the heat still off, add the chopped garlic, then turn the heat on to medium. Stir the garlic until the smallest pieces turn golden, then add the onions and stir for about one minute.
      4 cloves garlic, ½ onion
    • Turn the heat up to high then add the bell peppers, the chicken, and the sauce mixture and toss until heated through and well mixed, about 1 minute.
      ¾ cup green bell pepper, 1 ¼ cups red, orange and/or yellow bell pepper
    • Turn off the heat, then add the green onions and cashews and toss just until mixed. Plate and top with fried chilies, and serve immediately with jasmine rice.
      Note: Cashews should only be added right before serving to maintain crunch. Trust me, soggy cashews are NOT good! So if you’re making more of this recipe than you can finish today, set aside what you won’t eat before adding the cashews.
      2 green onions
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    Nutrition

    Calories: 391kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 26gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 853mgPotassium: 639mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1680IUVitamin C: 87mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 3mg
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      Recipe Rating





    1. Garry says

      February 24, 2025 at 2:07 pm

      5 stars
      I love Thai Chicken and Cashew and often order it. I’ve tried a number of time to cook it with varying results until I found this website. The instructions were so comprehensive that I easily made it and for the first time it was as good as or even better than most restaurants.

      Reply
      • leanne says

        June 28, 2025 at 7:02 am

        5 stars
        thank you, for the fabulous recipe as you saved me. had a friend come for dinner and this recipe was fabulous ,he now believes l can cook. but he can't have garlic or onions so l just add finger instead and even my husband didn't miss the onions as he would normally. 10 out of 10, chik , your the best thank you again.

        Reply
        • leanne says

          June 28, 2025 at 7:04 am

          5 stars
          thank you, for the fabulous recipe as you saved me. had a friend come for dinner and this recipe was fabulous ,he now believes l can cook. but he can't have garlic or onions so l just add ginger instead and even my husband didn't miss the onions as he would normally. 10 out of 10, chik , your the best thank you again.

          Reply
    2. Pamela says

      January 26, 2025 at 5:51 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you Chef! I love this recipe so much! Never thought I could make such delicious Cashew Chicken, but I can! I keep making it, and for my son, I have to use broccoli because he won't eat bell peppers of any kind. Sorry to admit this, but I get really lazy and have used rotisserie chicken meat in place of fresh. I still marinate it and briefly stir fry it, but it saves me having to buy and handle raw chicken. And its still REALLY GOOD! BTW, the first recipe I tried called for corn starch slurry and it was not pleasant! There is no need to thicken your delicious sauce. I make bigger batches so I can make this dish quickly - any time I like.

      Reply
    3. David says

      January 25, 2025 at 6:36 pm

      Thank you for this recipe, I really love Thai food over all others. I made it with all the brands you suggested including Lee Kum Kee premium Oyster Sauce. The one variation was the fish sauce, I used Squid premium fish sauce.
      It came out lovely but I found it too salty- can you recommend a way to reduce the saltiness?
      Much appreciated.

      Reply
      • Pailin Chongchitnant says

        February 03, 2025 at 11:05 am

        You can reduce the amount of all the salty sauces slightly. Or to keep it simple you can just omit the fish sauce.

        Reply
    4. Cerissa says

      January 23, 2025 at 12:45 pm

      Loved it. It was pretty spicy the next day. How can I keep the same flavor while reducing the spiciness? It was also too spicy for my kids when fresh. Omit the chilis from the oil? Would using half as many reduce the spice level also?

      Reply
    5. Justin says

      December 30, 2024 at 5:07 am

      5 stars
      I just made a liter of this sauce. I use so many of your recipes here in Thailand and all my neighbors act like I'm some sort of food wizard or something. I'm going to cook some of this for my coffee girl tomorrow. I plate using a small bowl upside down in a larger bowl and flip it onto plate to create a nice mound with a well to put the chicken into the center of.

      Reply
    6. Julie Johnson says

      November 11, 2024 at 8:15 am

      5 stars
      I absolutely love every recipe of yours that ive tried and that's several. And I tell anyone who will listen about your website. There aren't any authentic Thai brands out there that steer away from MSG, are there? I like to cook super "clean" and the MSG in so many of the sauces is the only ingredient that makes me hesitate to make things. Any guidance appreciated. Thank you for being an amazing source of recipes and general knowledge of Thai cuisine and Asian Market shopping and ingredients. 10/10. Highly recommend!

      Reply
    7. Cindi says

      September 09, 2024 at 4:58 pm

      5 stars
      Just got back from Thailand and this was one of our favorite dishes. The recipe taste is right on to what we had there. The only difference was the sauce didn’t thicken. Perhaps a corn starch slurry is needed. Either way it was delicious and will be made again for sure. 👍🏻

      Reply
      • Pailin Chongchitnant says

        September 12, 2024 at 1:51 pm

        Thanks Cindi! The sauce is not supposed to be thickened because unlike the Chinese, in Thailand we don't thicken our stir fry sauces with starch. If the one you had in Thailand had a thickened sauce, it's probably made by a Chinese chef as this is a dish is of Chinese origins that was adopted into Thailand so there are lots of variations. Feel free to thicken yours though if that's what you prefer 🙂

        Reply
    8. Rose says

      May 18, 2024 at 6:15 pm

      5 stars
      I wish I could post a picture of how beautiful this recipe turns out. I doubled the recipe because I like saucy and used mild Gochujan instead of chili paste.
      The only change I would make next time is to use low sodium soy sauce and cut the gochujan in half. It's delicious as is but I think I'll enjoy it more less spicy.
      I also made the corn cucumber salad to go with it. It was a tad too shrimpy, next time I'll use half the amount.
      Thank you so much for the recipe, looking forward to making more of them.

      Reply
    9. Al says

      May 10, 2024 at 12:02 pm

      5 stars
      I have made this many times, and it has a 5-star rating in my collection of things to make often. It is easy, fast, and extremely tasty, especially if you stick with thighs as recommended (one time we ran out and tried breasts, no flavor from them at all). The only downside of this recipe is that it has totally destroyed any desire for the take-out dish from our local Chinese place, which is really quit good, but I can make this which is so much better!

      Reply
    10. Laura says

      May 01, 2024 at 8:32 am

      5 stars
      I added a lot of extra veggies and doubled the sauce. Subbed 1.5 tsp worsteschire sauce and .5 tsp soy sauce for the 2tsp golden mountain in a doubled sauce recipe. It added nice complexity compared to when I've subbed with more soy. This recipe is easy and a hit with the hubby. I used chili garlic sauce for the sauce and served more with it.

      Reply
    11. Keith says

      April 17, 2024 at 4:38 am

      5 stars
      Made as specified. Only exception was to dredge the chicken in corn starch prior. My Thai wife loved it!

      Reply
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