Sticky Cashew Chicken Bowl with Rice, Broccoli & Peppers
This Asian-inspired bowl combines tender chicken pieces coated in a sticky, sweet-savory sauce with crunchy cashews, stir-fried broccoli, and peppers, all served over fluffy rice. It’s healthier than takeout but just as satisfying.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings:4
Ingredients
For the Chicken
1 lb (450 g) boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp olive oil or sesame oil
For the Sauce
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
3 tbsp hoisin sauce
2 tbsp honey (or brown sugar)
1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
½ tsp chili flakes
½ cup water + 1 tsp cornstarch
For the Veggies & Bowl
2 cups cooked white or brown rice
2 cups broccoli florets
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
½ cup roasted unsalted cashews
2 green onions, sliced
Sesame seeds, for topping
Instructions
Prepare Chicken:
Toss chicken pieces with cornstarch and 2 tbsp soy sauce.
Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Cook chicken until golden and cooked through (5–6 minutes). Remove and set aside.
Cook Veggies:
In the same pan, add broccoli and peppers.
Stir-fry 3–4 minutes until tender-crisp.
Make Sticky Sauce:
In a bowl, whisk soy sauce, hoisin, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes.
Pour into pan with veggies, bring to a simmer.
Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until sauce thickens (2 minutes).
Combine:
Return chicken to pan. Toss with sauce and veggies.
Stir in cashews just before serving.
Assemble Bowls:
Place rice in each bowl.
Top with sticky cashew chicken and veggies.
Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes & Tips
For extra crunch, lightly toast cashews before adding.
Swap rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lighter version.
Make it spicier with fresh chili or sriracha in the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes—replace chicken with tofu or tempeh, cook the same way.
Q: Can I meal prep this?
Yes—store rice, chicken, and veggies separately in containers. Add cashews fresh before eating.
Nutritional information
Calories: 590
Protein: 38g
Carbs: 52g
Fat: 23g
Fiber: 6g