Instant Pot Cashew Chicken Recipe

Now you can easily enjoy this Instant Pot Cashew Chicken Recipe in the convenience of your own home.

Cashew chicken at home doesn’t have to be a huge pain. You can easily make the sweet and savory dish with lots of flavorful vegetables and skip the take outline. Instant pot Thai chicken is one of my ultimate favorite meals, and I know when you try it, it will be yours too. 

What Is The Best Chicken To Use

I have found that the easiest chicken to use when making this cashew chicken instant pot recipe is to use boneless skinless chicken breast. You could also use a boneless skinless chicken thigh if you prefer that cut of meat. It’s completely up to you to play around with the recipe until it is precisely how you want it to be.

I prefer the flavor and texture that chicken breast brings to the dish.

Variations To Recipe 

As with most of my recipes are there are some things you can do to make this boneless chicken instant pot recipe a little bit different. You can add some fun variety and change it up. Depending on my mood, sometimes I will use orange or yellow bell peppers instead of red. And every once in awhile, I will toss in some carrots.

Feel free to add any vegetables that you want to this cashew chicken recipe. You could even add in some peanuts instead of cashews if you wanted to go extra crazy! 

Can I Use Bone-in Chicken 

While you can use bone-in chicken when you make this instant pot cashew chicken, I don’t really recommend it. The only reason why I’m not a huge fan of bone-in chicken for this kind of dish is you cook all of the vegetables and chicken at the same time. This could present a problem when you’re trying to serve it.

If you do use bone-in chicken, just be mindful of that and be sure not to serve it to someone who has trouble eating chicken with bones. 

What to Serve With This 

When you make this cashew chicken recipe, you can serve it with any of your favorite side dishes. Sometimes we like to serve it with some fried rice, egg rolls, or even a simple side salad. Additionally, white rice would also be a fantastic option, as well. 

Storing Leftovers

Naturally, after the chicken has cooled down, you can store the leftovers to have for another meal. You can keep the leftover cashew chicken in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to serve the chicken, simply microwave it or heat it up in a skillet with a little bit of oil. 

Additionally, you can also freeze this cashew chicken if you wish to. You would need to let it cool just the same as if you were refrigerating it. After it’s cool, you can place it in a food storage container and keep it in the freezer for up to three months. You’ll need to thaw it out before you heat it up and serve it. It’s nice to have as a make-ahead meal for easy prepping.

Ingredients

All of the ingredients of this instant pot cashew chicken or really easy to work with. You probably have most of them in your pantry. The sauce is a little bit spicy and a little bit sweet; it’s almost so good you can eat it with a spoon.

• 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 tbsp grapeseed oil
• 3 medium red bell peppers, sliced into small slices
• 2 cups broccoli — cut into small florets
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 bunch green onions — sliced
• 2/3 cup dry roasted cashews

FOR THE SAUCE:

• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup chicken broth.
• 3 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp agave
• 1 lime, fresh juiced
• 1 tbsp. Sriracha
• 1 tsp chili paste
• 1 tbsp fresh minced ginger
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

How To Make Cashew Chicken

Now it’s time to get to the good part and get you introduced to the easy to follow directions on how to make this instant pot cashew chicken. 

First Step: You first need to begin by turning your instant pot on to the saute setting. Add in the oil and let it heat up. 

Second Step: After the oil is hot, add the diced chicken to the instant pot. Sautee it for 4 minutes until it’s mostly cooked through. 

Third Step: Then add in the cashews in stir well. Then mix in the bell pepper, onion, and broccoli. 

Fourth Step: Next, you’ll need to prepare this sauce. Add the soy sauce, chicken broth, rice vinegar, agave, fresh lime juice, Sriracha, chili paste, minced ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes to a small bowl. 

Fifth Step: Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Then turn the saute button off. Add the lid to your instant pot. Turn the instant pot on to the manual setting and cook for 4 minutes. Do a quick release once it’s done cooking. Allow the cashew chicken to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Now, remember to save this recipe on Pinterest for later 🙂

Instant Pot Thai Cashew Chicken

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes

Total Time: 18 minutes minutes

Servings: 5

Instant Pot Cashew Chicken is better than takeout! Loaded with tender cuts of chicken, vegetables, sweet and savory sauce, and a crunch from cashews. This Cashew chicken might be your favorite recipe.

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Ingredients 

1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced

• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 tbsp grapeseed oil
• 3 medium red bell peppers, sliced into small slices
• 2 cups broccoli — cut into small florets
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 bunch green onions — sliced
• 2/3 cup dry roasted cashews

FOR THE SAUCE:

• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup chicken broth.
• 3 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp agave
• 1 lime, fresh juiced
• 1 tbsp. Siricha
• 1 tsp chili paste
• 1 tbsp fresh minced ginger
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

• Heat the oil in the Instant pot on saute setting. 
• Once the oil is hot, add the diced chicken. Sauté for 4 minutes.
• Add the cashews and toss to combine.
• Add the bell pepper, onion, and broccoli.Toss to combine.
• Prepare your sauce in a small bowl. Add all sauce ingredients and mix to combine.
• Pour your sauce over the chicken, toss to combine.
• Turn your Instant Pot off saute. Place the lid on a seal the vent.
• Set your Instant Pot to Manual for 4 minutes. Once done do a quick release. 
•  Allow to sit for 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 712mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g

Author: Laura

Here are a few more fantastic instant pot recipes that your whole family will adore. Take a look, and you’ll be inspired for your next meal. 

Instant Pot honey garlic chicken – This chicken is so juicy and tender you won’t believe how great it is. It’s sweet and full of flavor.

Instant pot pork loin – If you’re looking for some comfort food, this is exactly what you need in your life. Once you try it, you’ll be amazed by how simple the recipe was, and you want to make it all the time.

Instant pot chicken with garlic sauce and herbs – If you want something that is going to surprise your family with its bold and brilliant flavors, this instant pot chicken is calling your name.

Instant pot garlic parmesan chicken wings – Yes! You can even make chicken wings in your instant pot. Not only is the recipe super simple to work with, but they also taste even better than you can get at your local restaurants.