Air Fryer Cashew Chicken

Air fryer cashew chicken is a delicious dish that combines tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and flavorful sauce, all cooked quickly and efficiently in an air fryer. Here’s a simple recipe to make it

Ingredients:

• For the Chicken:
  • 1 lb (450g) chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray or oil for the air fryer basket
• For the Sauce:
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• Additional Ingredients:
  • 1 cup roasted cashews
  • Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your Air Fryer:
   • Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
2. Prepare the Chicken:
   • In a bowl, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
   • Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten egg, then coat evenly with cornstarch.
3. Air Fry the Chicken:
   • Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil.
   • Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, making sure they are not overcrowded.
   • Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking, until the chicken is crispy and cooked through.
4. Make the Sauce:
   • While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce.
   • In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and chicken broth (or water).
   • Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
   • In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to make a slurry.
   • Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce mixture and continue to simmer until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Combine Chicken, Sauce, and Cashews:
   • Once the chicken is done cooking in the air fryer, transfer it to a large bowl.
   • Pour the sauce over the chicken and gently toss to coat evenly.
   • Add the roasted cashews and toss again.
6. Serve:
   • Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
   • Serve the air fryer cashew chicken immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

Enjoy your delicious air fryer cashew chicken! It’s crispy, flavorful, and healthier than traditional deep-fried versions.