Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken 

If you're craving takeout but want something healthier and made at home, this Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken is the perfect solution. It features tender, lightly breaded chicken in a rich, savory-sweet sauce with the perfect amount of crunch from cashews. This dish tastes just like it came from your favorite restaurant but is made easily in your crockpot!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This homemade cashew chicken is incredibly flavorful thanks to a perfect combination of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sweet chili sauce. The chicken is lightly coated and browned first, giving it that classic texture you'd expect from a restaurant. Then it’s slow-cooked in a delicious sauce until tender and juicy. Serve it over rice or noodles for a meal your whole family will love.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces

Cornstarch and black pepper for coating the chicken
Canola oil for browning
Low-sodium soy sauce for a salty, umami base
Rice wine vinegar for acidity
Ketchup and brown sugar to balance sweetness
Sweet chili sauce for a little heat and extra flavor
Minced garlic and fresh ginger for that classic Asian flavor
Red pepper flakes for a kick
Raw, unsalted cashews for that irresistible crunch

How to Make Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

Start by tossing the chicken with cornstarch and black pepper in a large plastic bag until evenly coated. This coating helps develop that signature crust after browning. Heat oil in a skillet and brown the chicken pieces for a couple of minutes per side. You’re not cooking them through—just building flavor and texture.

Next, whisk together the sauce ingredients: soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Pour this over the browned chicken in the slow cooker.

You can add the cashews now for a softer bite, or wait until right before serving if you prefer them crunchy.

Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours. Once done, the chicken will be tender, juicy, and coated in that flavorful sauce.

How to Serve Cashew Chicken

This dish pairs beautifully with steamed white or brown rice. For a lighter option, serve it over cauliflower rice or even zucchini noodles. It’s also delicious with quinoa or ramen noodles. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds for a finishing touch.

Stovetop and Instant Pot Variations

For the stovetop version, brown the chicken in a skillet and add the sauce directly to the pan. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes until cooked through. Thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry if needed.

To make it in an Instant Pot, use the sauté setting to brown the chicken. Remove it, then add the sauce ingredients and a bit of broth to prevent sticking. Return the chicken and pressure cook on high for 20 minutes. Stir in the cashews at the end.

Helpful Tips and Variations

You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier result. Pork or beef also work great, but avoid shrimp—it cooks too fast in the slow cooker.

Always use raw, unsalted cashews to control the salt level. If using salted ones, rinse and dry them first.

Feel free to add vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, zucchini, or snap peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a complete meal.

Don’t skip browning the chicken! It adds incredible texture and locks in flavor.

Storing and Freezing Cashew Chicken

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To freeze, let the chicken cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating on the stovetop or in the slow cooker.

For a freezer meal prep version, add raw chicken and sauce ingredients to a freezer bag—skip the breading and browning. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw and cook in the crockpot as directed, adding cashews at the end.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken is one of those easy, comforting meals that never disappoints. Whether you're making dinner for the family or prepping freezer meals for the week, this dish will become a regular part of your meal rotation. It’s simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor in every bite.