Name: Honey Cashew Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1/4 cup honey; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons water; 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional); 1 tablespoon corn starch; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1/2-inch cubes; 2 green onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts separated); 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated; 1 red bell pepper, cored and cubed; 2 cups broccoli florets; 3/4 cup cashews; 1 1/2 cups white rice, uncooked; Sesame seeds (optional)

Filled with tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and veggies covered in a sweet and spicy sauce, this honey cashew chicken is full of flavor. Plus, it’s made in one pan and ready in 30 minutes, making it perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner.

White bowl of honey cashew chicken stir fry with chopsticks and small bowls of sliced green onion, sesame seeds, and cashews on the side.

If you’re trying to save money, but still want to enjoy the flavors of takeout, this honey cashew chicken recipe is for you. The stir fry is loaded with protein and healthy fats, and the homemade sauce creates a glossy, sweet-and-spicy glaze that brings everything together.

And the best part is, everything cooks in one pan, which makes cleanup a breeze and leaves you more time to enjoy your evening. Serve it over a bed of fluffy white rice for a healthy dinner the whole family can enjoy.

Two bowls honey cashew chicken on top of white rice with sliced green onion and roasted cashews on top with a beige and white checkered tea towel on the side on a white background.

Why You’ll Love It

Quick and Easy – This skillet meal is ready in 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
High in Protein – The combination of chicken and cashews gives this recipe 35 grams of protein per serving.
Full of Flavor – The homemade sauce of soy sauce and honey ensures every bite is full of flavor.

Plate of raw chicken thighs with bowls of cornstarch, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, white rice, roasted cashews, and broccoli florets with garlic cloves, green onions, and a red bell pepper on a white background.

Ingredients + Substitutions

Chicken Thighs – To add some protein. The recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts if preferred. See the notes section of the recipe card for details.
Cashews – To add some more protein and healthy fats. You can use raw or roasted cashews.
Honey – To make the sauce sticky and add some sweetness.
Soy Sauce – To make the sauce and add some saltiness. You can use regular or low-sodium soy sauce.
Chili Flakes – To add a bit of spice, although optional. You can also use sriracha or another hot sauce you like.
Sesame Oil – To cook the chicken and add some flavors. I used sesame oil, but peanut oil or vegetable oil would also work.
Rice Vinegar – To balance the acidity in the sauce.
Corn Starch – To thicken the sauce.
Vegetables – To add some fiber and micronutrients. I opted for a red bell pepper and broccoli, but you can use any vegetables you like. A frozen stir-fry vegetable mix would also work well. See the notes section of the recipe card for details.
Rice – To add some complex carbohydrates. I used white rice, specifically jasmine rice, but brown rice would also work well.

Dietary Adaptions

To Make it Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos.

To Make it Dairy-Free: No adaptations are needed; this recipe is dairy-free.

Grid of 4 images with a pan of cooked cubed chicken thighs; a pan of cooked chicken with diced red onion and broccoli florets; a pan of cooked chicken, veggies, and stir fry sauce; and a pan of honey chicken with roasted cashews on top.

Red’s Nutrition Tip

Cashews are a high-protein nut that is rich in healthy fats and magnesium. That said, their high fat content makes them one of the most calorie-dense foods, so it’s important to practice portion control when consuming them.

Serving Suggestions

When served with rice, this honey cashew chicken is a balanced meal with protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and fat. That said, it can be adapted to suit your personal calorie or macro needs. For example:

To make it higher in protein, add an additional 1/2 pound of chicken thighs to the recipe and/or use chicken breasts.
To make it higher in fiber, swap the white rice for brown rice and/or add some additional high-fiber vegetables to the stir fry, such as snow peas or green beans.
To make it lower in carbohydrates, swap the white rice for cauliflower rice.

Large pan of honey cashew chicken with a bowl of cooked white rice, roasted cashews, and sliced green onions on the side with an empty bowl with wood chopsticks on a white background.

Storage + Reheating

To Refrigerate: Once cooled, the honey cashew chicken can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

To Freeze: Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: Once thawed, the honey cashew chicken can be reheated in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. For the best results, add a splash of water to loosen the sauce before reheating.

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