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If there was ever a chicken dinner of my dreams, this would be it. 20 Minute Basil Cashew Chicken. I don’t 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:
I’ve told the story of my chicken and rice days many, many times, so I won’t bore you once again, but the short version is, when you combine chicken and rice, I’m all about it. Especially when that said chicken is full of Thai flavors, basil and cashews…aka Tieghan food. 🙂
So you guys, I’ve probably mentioned that my days are twice as long and twice as hard as they have ever been. I’m cramming to meet my book deadline and basically my life is cooking non-stop from morning till night… and then from night till morning I write. OKAY. That’s 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 it’s 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 I’m super weird too. I guess I just really love what I do….oh but the dishes. I really HATTTTEEEEEE the dishes. I am on my own this week, like completely. No help from the best Dad ever. It’s kind of miserable. All the dishes. UGH. Think about making six-eight recipes a day and then doing the dishes…and then needing to go feed the chickens.
It’s like NOOOOO.
The good news is that the goats are actually not here right now. So at least I’m not taking care of them too. I can’t believe I haven’t 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 well ?) 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. 🙂
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 most…chicken and rice. When life is a little on the stressful side, or just GO GO GO, that’s when I GO to 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 from Dads. Alright, it’s 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 it’s kind of like, let’s add a little flavor, you know?
Enter this 20 Minute Basil Cashew Chicken.
Flavor is one thing it is definitely full of, but yet it’s still really simple. The chicken gets a quick marinade in some soy and oyster sauces, then stir-fried with ginger, garlic and a few 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 that’s it, dinner is DONE.
I served my chicken over a giant bowl of coconut rice. I highly recommend making either this coconut rice or this lemongrass rice. Both are kind of the best rice recipes ever. 🙂
Lastly, I added some fresh slices of mango for a tropical little kick. I know I’ve mentioned before that I’m currently obsessed with any and all tropical fruits. They’re kind of my way of escaping from the “winter is my spring” I’ve got going on here. If you too are looking for a delicious and colorful pick-me-up, mango slices are where it’s at!
So that’s it – 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 Chicken… Wednesday done right! 🙂
The dishes are definitely the WORST part about blogging… I don’t know how you do it with how frequently you post!
I have no doubt that this (gorgeous) recipe is packed with flavor, it looks incredible and I love love LOVE that it only takes 20 minutes to make!
I Have some pretty awesome help!! Thank you!! I hope you enjoyed!! ??
Awe! Thanks so much and yes, the dishes are the worst part!
I love that we are in different time zones, because when I get up in the morning, there is always a new recipe to look at while I have my morning tea! This looks so delicious. 😀 I am going to have to start having one night a week when my boyfriend and I make our own meals, because I adore cashews whereas they will put him in the hospital.
I am envious of all of the baby goat action you are going to have. Have you ever had the occasion to eat goat? I have not, and I am not sure I could.
I am totally with you on the dishes. I absolutely love to cook and bake, and can keep it up all day even when I am having a fatigue day and can’t bring myself to do anything else. But the dishes are always a bear, especially in my tiny kitchen/double sink. I can only imagine how many you have some days. Do you ever see the dishes pile up and the dish cupboards/shelves become barer? That’s never a good feeling, haha
I am finally through with college/exams next week and I am soooooo looking forward to making a ton of your recipes. Winner, winner, chicken dinner! 🙂
Hey, hi!!! Nope I have never eaten goat, but I am not sure I am that into it. It would be really weird I think!! And yes, dishes pilling up is a daily thing for me…spent 2 long hours at the sink today. Not fun?
How exciting that you are almost done with school!!! Congrats!! Let me now if you ever have any questions and thank you for all the kind words!!
Looks delicious Tieg!
Thanks cuz!!
Love the flavors, but especially love that this takes no time at all!
Thanks Matt! Fast meals are the best!
Heaven in a bowl.
??????
Thank you for the nice recipe.
Your welcome!! Thanks for the nice words Liz!!
chicken with basil-fried rice is my THE go-to Thai order for my hubby, he is obsessed with the stuff!!!!! I have a strong feeling he would adore this recipe – Pinned doll!
Thanks Christine!! Hope he loves it!! (:
I want a goat!!! Been following the goats on Farm Sanctuary’s site – so stinkin cute and it makes me want to move so I can have one! Can’t wait to see your photos when they arrive. And this basil chicken looks amazing!!
They’re really fun!! And thank you!! (:
This sounds incredible!
Thank you!!! (:
YUM! I just tried coconut rice for the first time this past weekend and I’m hooked! Can’t wait to see the little goats!
ITS SO GOOD!!! glad you got to try!!
I think we have all the ingredients in our pantry, PERFECT! I love oyster sauce, it just adds so much flavor – you literally cannot go wrong with it. Thai basil is so good too!
YAY!! I hope you love it!! Thank you
This sounds wonderful. Too bad the wife can’t eat cashews :-(. I on the other hand love them and I love me some Thai food. Great photos and styling btw.
Thats such a bummer!! i hope you get the chance to try!! Thank you so much!!
Although I could do without the rice – contrary to you, chicken and rice are not my thing together – I love chicken with cashews. And Thai flavours. And basil. SO I’m gonna love eating this!! Real soon.
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Let me know what you think Miranda!!
This officially makes you my hero!!!!! 20 short minutes for a meal is a dream come true, but this is chicken with cashew involved TOO????? You definitely nailed it if you were trying to save the day with food!
Ah Thank you Tori!! ??
i love the flavor of thai basil (it’s so fresh!). and i definitely need to start eating healthier after a couple days of gluttony, so this sounds perfect, especially because i have a ripe mango (:
Yay! I hope you love it!