Cashew Chicken in a Slow Cook

A easy slow cooker dish combines tender chicken with crunchy cashews for a flavorful, comforting meal. Perfect for busy days, it lets the ingredients meld together while you relax and wait for dinner to be ready.

★★★★★5(1 reviews)Updated: Mar 31, 2026

Prep Time 10 min

Cook Time 2 hr 8 min

Total Time 2 hr 18 min

Difficulty Hard

Ingredients 0/13

¼ cup cornstarch 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 cup roasted unsalted cashews ¾ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 5 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil 4 green onions, sliced diagonally

Why This Recipe Is So Easy To Love

A perfect blend of tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and a savory sauce that cooks slowly to develop deep flavors. It's easy to prepare and requires minimal hands-on time, making it great for busy days. The slow cooking process ensures juicy meat and a rich, comforting meal.

Expert Cooking Tips

- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for more flavor and tenderness.
- Toast the cashews lightly before adding them to enhance their crunch and aroma.
- Avoid lifting the lid too often to keep the heat steady and cook the chicken evenly.

Directions

Toss the cornstarch and pepper together in a zip-top bag, then add the chicken pieces and give the bag a good shake to coat them evenly. Heat some oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken for about 2 minutes on each side until golden. Transfer the browned chicken to your slow cooker or multi-functional pressure cooker. In a separate bowl, mix together the cashews, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, sweet chili sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and sesame oil. Pour this sauce over the chicken, then cover and set your cooker to the Slow Cook function on Low. Let it cook for around 2 hours until the chicken is tender and the flavors have melded nicely. Before serving, sprinkle with chopped green onions for a fresh touch.

Serving Variations

Serve over steamed jasmine rice or fluffy quinoa to soak up the sauce. Add a side of steamed broccoli or snap peas for a fresh, crunchy contrast. Garnish with chopped green onions or fresh cilantro to brighten the dish.

How To Preserve This Dish

Let the leftovers cool completely before storing in an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave to avoid drying out the chicken. You can also freeze portions for up to 2 months.

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By Daniel Carter

Recipe Developer

Daniel focuses on practical, easy-to-follow recipes designed for everyday home cooking.