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If there was ever a chicken dinner of my dreams, this would be it.ย 20 Minute Basil Cashew Chicken. I donโt know what I like more. The fact that it only took 20 minutes to make or the yummy flavors!
Watch the How To Video Here:
Iโve told the story of my chicken and rice days many, many times, so I wonโt bore you once again, but the short version is, when you combine chicken and rice, Iโm all about it. Especially when that said chicken is full of Thai flavors, basil and cashewsโฆaka Tieghan food. ๐
So you guys, Iโve probably mentioned that my days are twice as long and twice as hard as they have ever been. Iโm cramming to meet my book deadline and basically my life is cooking non-stop from morning till nightโฆ and then from night till morning I write. OKAY. Thatโs a lie, I do find some time to sleep at night because I am one of those people who needs sleep to survive. Like you four hours of sleep peeps? Yeah, you guys are just plain weird. Sorry to be harsh, but sleep is where itโs at.
Just sayin.
The weird thing is, you would think I would be SOO over everything. Over cooking, over writing, over answering emails and comments, just over work in general. But you know what I have found really odd? I kind like it. I kind of like having every second of every day filled to the max. It keeps me focused and on task, which can sometimes be hard for me.
So I dunno, I guess Iโm super weird too. I guess I just really love what I doโฆ.oh but the dishes. I reallyย HATTTTEEEEEE the dishes. I am on my own this week, like completely. No help from the best Dad ever. Itโs kind of miserable. All the dishes. UGH. Think about making six-eight recipes a day and then doing the dishesโฆand then needing to go feed the chickens.
Itโs like NOOOOO.
The good news is that the goats are actually not here right now. So at least Iโm not taking care of them too. I canโt believe I havenโt told you guys this yet, but baby goats are coming!!! Yes, BABY goats!! I know, I know. Too cute. I am SO excited. If all goes as planned this month (meaning that Billy Goat does his thing and does it wellย ?) than we should have baby goats come mid to late September!! The girls will be back in a few weeks, hopefully with full bellies. Prepare for way too many snaps of all the little goats. ๐
OKAY. But back to the point.
With the non-stop days, I am all about these 20 minute, quick and simple recipes. Not only are they easy but they tend to be the foods I crave mostโฆchicken and rice. When life is a little on the stressful side, or just GO GO GO, thatโs when I GO toย my fall back food of chicken and rice. Dad made it all the time when I was growing up, it just has a major comfort factor for me.
This chicken and rice dinner is a little different fromย Dads. Alright, itโs a lot different, but in a very good way. I mean no offense to Mom or Dad, but their chicken and rice dinners where kind of bland. I loved them back as a kid, but now itโs kind of like, letโs add a little flavor, you know?
Enter this 20 Minute Basil Cashew Chicken.
Flavor is one thing it is definitely full of, but yet itโs still really simple. The chicken gets a quick marinade in some soy and oyster sauces, then stir-fried with ginger, garlic and a fewย chile peppers. Finish it all off with a whole bunch of Thai basil (or regular basil if you cannot find Thai basil) and a handful of cashews. And thatโs it, dinner is DONE.
I served my chicken over a giant bowl of coconut rice. I highly recommend making either this coconut riceย or this lemongrass rice. Both are kind of the best rice recipes ever. ๐
Lastly, I added some fresh slices of mango for a tropical little kick. I know Iโve mentioned before that Iโm currently obsessed with any and all tropical fruits. Theyโre kind of my way of escaping from the โwinter is my springโ Iโve got going on here. If you too are looking for a delicious and colorful pick-me-up, mango slices are where itโs at!
Soย thatโs it โ simple, simple!!
20 Minute Basil Cashew Chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled + grated
- 1 serrano chile or jalapeno, seeded + chopped
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 2 cups fresh Thai basil, or regular basil
- steamed [coconut rice |https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/hawaiian-hula-pork-fajitas-pineapple-slaw-coconut-rice/], for serving
- 1 mango, peeled + sliced
Instructions
- Add the chicken to a bowl and toss with the oyster sauce and soy sauce. Let the chicken marinate 10 minutes.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium. Add 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Add the garlic, ginger and serrano chile, cook 30 seconds or until fragrant. Watch close, you don't want to burn the garlic. Increase the heat to medium high. Add another drizzle sesame oil and the chicken. Stir-fry over medium high heat until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cashews and cook another minute. Remove from the heat and stir in Thai basil.
- Serve the chicken over steamed rice with fresh mango slices and extra basil. EAT!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Easy 20 Minute Basil Cashew Chickenโฆ Wednesday done right! ๐
i love this dish! perfect for a summer evening. it came together so easily, and i really enjoyed the preparation. so flavorful and fresh!
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Have a great week! xT
This was delicious!! I cut down the heat since my husband can’t tolerate hot foods but loved it just the same. I used coconut cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. I will be making this again and again!!
Hey Janine,
Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
Hi! Can I substitute the oyster sauce to fish sauce?
Thanks for all wonderful cooking inspo!!
Hi Victoria! Yes, that should work fine! I hope you love this recipe! xTieghan
Very yummy! Made iit with normal basil as it was what I had on hand and left out the chilies as little kids ate it too. My only issue was that it came out quite salty. Unless you’re eating it with a lot of rice, I’d recommend perhaps draining some of the marinade or watering it down a little if you’re a little sensitive to salt. Otherwise, a great recipe.
Thank you so much Sophia! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
The recipe sounds great except for the chili peppers. I can’t eat hot food. I can only take mild taste. I hate when my whole mouth burns. Can I make the recipe without the hot or maybe make it mild?
Hey Joan! Yes, you can omit the peppers. That is no problem! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe and happy 4th of July! Thank you! xTieghan
Ridiculously easy and sooooo good. This will be a regular menu item for us.
Thank you so much David! xTieghan