I have a dirty little secret.
Sometimes…SOMETIMES…I really just throw all the random ingredients I have in the kitchen together and call it a meal. Most of the time it works out, but sometimes it fails miserably. I just roll with the punches though because if I can avoid one extra trip to the grocery store a week, it really is a small victory.
You feel me?
That was the case with this chicken! A few days ago I took a quick kitchen inventory and saw I had chicken breasts I had to use up, along with a random bag of cashew halves sitting open in my freezer (lucky there was no freezer burn…yet). So, I channeled my inner Martha Stewart and threw together a tasty and healthy dinner.
I love the bit of sweetness that the honey gives the chicken breasts…along with the spice of the ginger and the buttery cashew pieces. I served this meal over fluffy jasmine rice because it just seemed like the right thing to do.
And then I ate a piece of chocolate cake and called it a night. Well, actually Adam and I split a piece of chocolate cake. He said he wanted to eat healthy all week and I was merely there for moral support.
What are girlfriends for anyway?
Ginger Honey Cashew Chicken
serves 2-3
Ingredients:
2 large chicken breasts, cut into strips
2 tsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1 T canola oil
2 tsp fresh minced ginger
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 T honey
2 green onions, chopped
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (just a sprinkle)
1/3 cup roughly chopped roasted cashews
Directions:
Lay the chicken breast strips in a pie pan or large plate. Sprinkle with cornstarch, salt and ginger. Toss so all the strips are coated well and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.
While the chicken is in the fridge, whisk together the chicken broth, honey, green onions and cayenne pepper. Set aside.
Heat the oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Drop the chicken in and cook for about eight minutes. When chicken is done, remove and place on a plate to keep warm.
Deglaze the pan with the sauce and whisk well to get up any little bits of chicken stuck to the bottom of the pan. Simmer for a couple minutes and then add the chicken, as well as the cashews, back to the pan. Cook for another five minutes so that the sauce can thicken and the chicken can warm back up if cool.
Serve over jasmine rice.
Time:
40 minutes
Christie {Nourishing Circle}
April 14, 2011 at 5:04 amYum, I am always looks for simple and easy chicken recipes. And I LOVE ginger. Thank you!!
Evan Thomas
April 14, 2011 at 5:04 amFor something that was just thrown together, this sounds really good; I love every word in the title. Cashews in spicy dishes are so refreshing to bite into.
Baking 'n' Books
April 14, 2011 at 10:30 amDitto to the Cashews – I love the crunch of them added. So good.
I always throw random things together! But your come out far better clearly…and mine typically involves a lot of cheese and sauce…;)
Molly
April 14, 2011 at 5:06 amI believe the thought that crossed my mind when I read the post title was: OOOoooOOOooooo. Chicken recipes are appreciated-it can get so boring after awhile.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
April 14, 2011 at 5:14 amOooh I love cashews, especially when they’re paired with chicken!! This sounds so great and I’ve been looking for new things to do with my chicken lately so thanks for the inspiration!
Elena
April 14, 2011 at 5:15 amI love using-whatever-is-in-the-pantry dishes! I do this all the time when I’m trying to figure out dinner after I’ve planned everything out and forgotten a couple of days. This chicken dish looks great!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
April 14, 2011 at 5:15 amOoh, looks great!!! I love when you throw things together and it magically works!
Cait @ Beyond Bananas
April 14, 2011 at 5:24 amI love STIR FRYS.. i am all for throwing random ingredients together as well. I’ve just started making honey stir frys and luurrrve them!
amy walters, aDESIGNdock
April 14, 2011 at 5:26 amThis looks really tasty Jenna. I love honey and chicken. Always a good combo – such comfort food! Way to be strong for Adam and help with with that chocolate cake. I’d like to think I would have done the same 😉
amy*
Amanda
April 14, 2011 at 5:28 amStupid question but…How do you cook your rice? There must be a secret that I’m not in on because my rice is always like glue!
megan @ whatmegansmaking
April 14, 2011 at 5:40 amAmanda – I don’t know about Jenna, but I use a rice cooker. Those things are wonderful – perfect rice every time and you just let it sit and do it’s thing. I got one from bed bath and beyond as a wedding gift and I use it weekly. Not too expensive either, I don’t think.
jenna
April 14, 2011 at 6:08 amI just use a regular small pot with a lid. Honestly, I am AWFUL at cooking rice. It never comes out right! I recommend getting a rice cooker! I need one but my tiny kitchen cannot hold one more appliance! 😉
Baking 'n' Books
April 14, 2011 at 10:31 amHow long does it take in a rice cooker? Do you have to cook large amounts at once though?
jenna k
April 14, 2011 at 3:53 pmthis is how my mother taught me, and it’s never failed me yet:
bring your rice and water to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and cover. cook for exactly 17 minutes. don’t open the lid or stir- just leave it be!
megan @ whatmegansmaking
April 14, 2011 at 5:40 amI love that you can just throw stuff together like this! This sounds like a great dinner 🙂
Ruth
April 14, 2011 at 5:41 amLooks great! My freestylin’ in the kitchen also occasionally ends in tears – but this looks like the best outcome!!
Amanda @ Martinis At Six
April 14, 2011 at 5:49 amThat looks delicious! I’m assuming that you had raw chicken breast in the fridge when you say you needed to use it up? How long do you usually keep it in the fridge before using it or freezing it?
jenna
April 14, 2011 at 6:09 amIt was frozen previously and then I stuck it in the fridge overnight to defrost. I’ll go two days max with a raw chicken breast in my fridge.
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
April 14, 2011 at 5:52 amThis looks so much better than takeout!
flip flops and pearls
April 14, 2011 at 5:56 amOh WoW! This looks/sounds delish!
VeggieGirl
April 14, 2011 at 5:56 amI love your dirty little secret, since it creates amaaaazing recipes! 🙂
kristina@beancakes
April 14, 2011 at 6:07 amthis looks GENIUS. yum.
Lucy @ The Sweet Touch
April 14, 2011 at 6:08 amMmmm, this reminds me of the C36 at my old favorite Chinese restaurant (is it bad that I still remember the number of my favorite combo?).
And I loooove jasmine rice!
Jenny (Fit Girl Foodie)
April 14, 2011 at 6:16 amI love jasmine rice, such a great flavor to it and I love how you’ve added cashews to your dish. I need to start doing that with other nuts I have at home 😀
Errign
April 14, 2011 at 6:17 amThis looks simple & delicious! Yum. I’m always so intimidated by “make your own” ethnic food dishes, but I think I can do this!
Holly @ The Runny Egg
April 14, 2011 at 6:31 amThis looks delicious!
Whenever I throw random things together in the kitchen it rarely RARELY turns out well. You have a gift!
Cait's Plate
April 14, 2011 at 6:43 amHoly YUM. That looks so delicious I feel like I could eat it right off the screen!
Chelsa
April 14, 2011 at 6:57 amI’m going to try this soon. Last week I made your tortilla soup recipe and it was so good. My boyfriend raved about it too. I love your recipes.
d.liff @ yelleBELLYboo
April 14, 2011 at 6:58 amI just bought chicken breasts AND raw cashews last weekend. This looks like the perfect way to use them! And even with rice it’s perfect for Passover!
R @ Learning As I Chop
April 14, 2011 at 6:59 amCashew chicken is my favorite Chinese order.
Kelly
April 14, 2011 at 7:02 amHealthier chinese food…perfect!
Maria
April 14, 2011 at 7:51 amI bet the cashews give a nice crunch! Great dinner dish!
notyet100
April 14, 2011 at 7:59 amthis is wht i do most of the time when i have to eat alone
kate
April 14, 2011 at 8:06 amMy mom used to call this a “Space Dinner” because you’re making space in the fridge.
And “Space Dinner” sounds really cool to kids!
Hannah (Culture Connoisseur)
April 14, 2011 at 8:10 amThis looks great! And I totally feel ya, although I am not so creative as to come up with meals like cashew chicken from scratch. 🙂
I usually throw pastas together when I need to get rid of stuff.
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food
April 14, 2011 at 8:17 ammmm looks fresh light and delish! 🙂
Curly J
April 14, 2011 at 8:18 amYum!! This looks like a really easy and tasty dinner, totally going to have to try this one =)
Moni'sMeals
April 14, 2011 at 8:56 amwhat a great spring meal!
Alex
April 14, 2011 at 9:57 amHa, I am doing that all the time too… Just throwing everything that is open and has to be used in a pan and fry it up, then serve it over some pasta or rice. Works (almost) every time.
I think you can never go wrong with chicken and nuts. I think you could even add another kind of veggie to the whole concoction… like bell peppers or broccoli.
Natalia - a side of simple
April 14, 2011 at 10:16 amI commend you for sharing that chocolate cake. I would have probably hidden it or eaten it out of sight so as not to share it. And THAT would have been my dirty little secret 😉
Justeeen @ Blissful Baking
April 14, 2011 at 10:26 amYum! I’ve been OBSESSED with cashews lately. This recipe looks like perfect way to enjoy them!
Michelle | GOLD-HEARTED GIRL
April 14, 2011 at 10:45 amDefinitely going to try this with tofu!
http://goldhearted.etsy.com
Anna (Munching Mamacita)
April 14, 2011 at 11:29 amGreat idea! I think I’ll do the same!
Cassie
April 14, 2011 at 11:20 amSometimes the best meals are ones that you’ve just thrown together!
Katrina
April 14, 2011 at 11:31 amI love cashews in a stir fry! Yum!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
April 14, 2011 at 12:55 pmspice of the ginger and the buttery cashew pieces, and the sweetness of the honey = YUM! Sounds wonderful and I actually make tofu using similar spices.
Sometimes you really win some in the kitchen when you just throw random ingredients together and this looks like that case with this recipe 🙂
Lauren@LittleYellowKitchen
April 14, 2011 at 1:51 pmFor throwin’ a meal together, this looks pretty darn gourmet. I would hate for you to see what my everything left in my fridge meals look like!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
April 14, 2011 at 1:53 pmMy kind of cooking! I love simple & similar stir-fry’s. It’s just so easy, fulfilling and tasty 🙂
Dee
April 14, 2011 at 2:45 pmginger honey cashew chicken?! yes, please. 😀
Kelsey Taylor
April 14, 2011 at 3:18 pmI don’t normally like chicken because it’s too bland for me, but this looks sooo amazing I may just have to try it!!
Kelsey Taylor
April 14, 2011 at 3:19 pmI don’t normally eat chicken because its too bland for me, but this looks so amazing I think i’ll have to try it!
The Food Hound
April 14, 2011 at 5:30 pmI wish the things I “threw together” were like the things YOU “throw together,” hah! Stir-fries are so easy, you’re right, and cashews make them all the better!
Jasmine
April 14, 2011 at 11:02 pmLooks delicious! I also sometimes throw random ingredients into my cooking. Sometimes they turn out really well though :p
Allie
April 14, 2011 at 11:05 pmYou always make such great food I can’t imagine something turning out to be a fail!
Liz
April 15, 2011 at 6:29 amI made this last night for my husband (I’m a vegetarian so when I cook meat for him I always worry it’s going to be terrible) and he LOVED it!!! Thanks so much! It was so easy and, from what he said, delicious!
Heather B
April 17, 2011 at 4:16 pmI made this tonight after stumbling across your blog from one of my other blogs. (I can’t remember which one though, sorry!) It may be the very best thing to ever come out of my kitchen. I’m not much for cooking, I generally do the baking, but this was quick and easy. I served it with quinoa and it was fantastic. In fact, I’ll be making this again tomorrow night when my husband’s home, since I won’t be sharing this batch. (Lunch for me tomorrow!) Thanks!
Alison
November 4, 2011 at 9:19 amWe made this last night, and LOVED IT! I’m actually a little mad at my boyfriend right now, because he took all the leftovers to work, and then ended up going out to eat.. I might have to make it again tonight.
Natalie
February 5, 2012 at 4:16 pmWe actually made this tonight and my husband LOVED it! Thank you so much for sharing! I may add some red bell pepper next time 🙂
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April 15, 2012 at 9:00 pmAbsolutely tasty! I enhanced it a bit with 2-3 cloves of garlic, 1/2 yellow onion, tablespoon soy sauce, celery, and srichacha sauce. Also I added peas and broccoli and served with coconut basmati rice. This recipe will definitely be added to the “quick dinner” rotation.
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