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365 Days of Slow Cooking and Pressure Cooking

Easy slow cooker and Instant Pot recipes for each day of the year

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August 10, 2017

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

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Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken–This crockpot cashew chicken is just as good as your favorite Chinese restaurant.  It’s super easy and flavorful and it’s all made in the comfort of your own kitchen

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Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken--This crockpot cashew chicken is just as good as your favorite Chinese restaurant.  It’s super easy and flavorful and it’s all made in the comfort of your own kitchen

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

This slow cooker cashew chicken recipe comes from year one of my blogging (2009!). It is one of my favorites (and your favorites too) so I decided it needed to get a second wind with better pictures. Also I really just wanted to make it for dinner last night! My husband had one bite and gave me the signal that it was a 10! The only complaint my family made was that there wasn’t enough.

Pin this recipe for later!

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken--This crockpot cashew chicken is just as good as your favorite Chinese restaurant.  It’s super easy and flavorful and it’s all made in the comfort of your own kitchen

This recipe takes a few minutes of extra prep work but I think you’ll find that it is totally worth it!
First, you’ll cut the chicken thighs into about 6 pieces each. I love using kitchen shears for this step. I trim off excess fat and then just cut the chicken into bite-size pieces.

Next you’ll use some thick paper towels to blot the chicken. Try to get as much moisture off of the chicken as you can. It’s important that the chicken is dry so that it can get a good browning on it.

Give the chicken a shake! Shake the chicken in a zipper plastic bag with some flour and pepper to coat the chicken evenly.

Heat a bit of oil in a pan and then when the oil is hot, brown the chicken 2 minutes on each side. Spread the chicken out so that each piece gets it’s own little spot of heat.

Finally you’ll add the chicken to the slow cooker and pour an easy, homemade sauce over the top. Cook on low for just 4 hours and you’ll have the most amazing, tender and flavorful chicken ever!

Oh, and one more thing! Don’t forget the cashews. It is “cashew chicken” after all. You’ll add in the cashews after the chicken is cooked and let them warm up for about 10 minutes. I like to top my chicken with slices of green onions but you could throw some cilantro on the top instead.

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken--This crockpot cashew chicken is just as good as your favorite Chinese restaurant.  It’s super easy and flavorful and it’s all made in the comfort of your own kitchen

What Slow Cooker Did You Use?

For this slow cooker cashew chicken  I used my small 3 quart slow cooker. I love this little slow cooker because it’s super cute and it’s just the perfect size for side dishes, drinks or small meals. It fits into my sink so I can easily handwash it and it fits in the bottom or top of my dishwasher so I can easily stick it in there to get clean. I try to use this 3 quart slow cooker any time I can!

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Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken


  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours on low
  • Total Time: 47 minute
  • Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
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Description

This crockpot cashew chicken is just as good as your favorite Chinese restaurant.  It’s super easy and flavorful and it’s all made in the comfort of your own kitchen.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut each thigh into about 6 pieces (don’t use chicken breasts)
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp canola oil
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp ketchup
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup cashews
  • Green onions, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Blot the pieces of chicken with a thick paper towel. You’ll want to get as much moisture off of the chicken as possible.
  2. Combine flour and pepper in resealable food storage bag. Add chicken. Shake to thoroughly coat with flour mixture.
  3. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, brown the chicken about 2 minutes on each side. Make sure you have a large enough pan that each piece of chicken can sit on the bottom of the skillet. After the chicken is browned transfer it to the bottom of the slow cooker.
  4. Combine soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes in small bowl; pour over chicken.
  5. Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. Gently stir in the cashews and let cook on low for about 10 more minutes. Serve chicken over hot cooked rice of noodles and garnish with sliced green onions.
  • Method: Slow Cooker

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64 Comments Filed Under: All Recipes, Chicken, Slow Cooker Tagged With: 5 stars, All Posts, 2-4 hours

Recommendations

Comments

  1. Monique says

    September 3, 2021 at 1:26 pm

    This recipe is very good. if I double it, shall I double the sauce exactly or not increase the brown sugar?
    Monique

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 4, 2021 at 8:52 pm

      I’d double everything

      Reply
  2. Marleina says

    February 6, 2020 at 5:39 pm

    Just saw your explanation about chicken breasts! So sorry! Thank you

    Reply
  3. Marleina says

    February 6, 2020 at 5:32 pm

    Hi Karen: I am anxious to try the Cashew Chicken recipe! I am wondering why you don’t want us to use chicken breasts. I believe the recipe calls for cutting the thigh into 6 pieces. As long as I have 6 pieces of chicken, does it matter if it’s thigh or breast?
    Thank you

    Reply
  4. lanie says

    April 14, 2018 at 5:23 pm

    Wonderful, you are an excellent cook. Thanks for all the recipes. I am new with the pressure cooker and only burned my noodles one time. Haven’t tried them again.

    Reply
  5. Mike Noone says

    December 19, 2017 at 11:54 am

    I am going to try the cashew chicken recipe tonight, 12/19. If I want to add Broccoli, when should I add it to the slow cooker?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 19, 2017 at 2:10 pm

      Are using frozen or fresh broccoli? If you’re using frozen I suggest placing it in a colander and running hot water over it. Then add it to the pot with the cashews. If you’re using fresh broccoli I would suggest steaming it or blanching it before adding it to the slow cooker. Otherwise it gets weird and doesn’t taste great.

      Reply
  6. Kathy says

    August 11, 2017 at 2:29 am

    problem is we don’t get boneless chicken thighs and akinless doesn’t exist either in Germany. I’d have to use chicken breasts. What is the problem with using them?

    Reply
    • Tammy says

      April 16, 2019 at 2:45 pm

      The original Springfield cashew chicken uses boneless chicken breast. Very good. I have eaten at the original joint for years.

      Reply
  7. Ray Snowden says

    September 22, 2016 at 5:18 am

    I made this last night and it was very good! I used the recipe exactly as stated and it came out great. I put it over rice.. (“Rice O Roni” Fried rice with seasoning)… This is the third time I have made one of your slow cooker meals and all have been 5 star recipes and easy to make… The other two were Pecan Chicken and Chicken Tarragon (“so easy a husband could make it” …. its true!) Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Dana Wyatt says

    August 23, 2016 at 8:02 am

    This is really delicious. I’ve made it twice recently, and my only mistake is that I didn’t go ahead and double it. haha. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 27, 2016 at 12:13 pm

      I love this one too Dana!

      Reply
  9. Alison says

    August 21, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    Are pepper flakes chilli?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 22, 2016 at 12:20 pm

      yes 🙂

      Reply
  10. Hamamass says

    April 11, 2016 at 10:41 am

    The second recipe made in our slowcooker
    (the first was chickensoup, as wel all had flu!)
    and it was done exactly as described, and it
    was delicious! Very tasty indeed!
    Recommended recipe!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      April 11, 2016 at 7:49 pm

      sooo happy to hear this!

      Reply
  11. Unknown says

    November 5, 2015 at 4:21 pm

    Do you think it will still taste good with all ingredients except I want to replace Soy sauce with Worcestshire sauce??? and would it be the same amount…I have to eat gluten free and my soy sauce had gluten and I don't have time to go to store. Please advise

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      November 6, 2015 at 5:08 pm

      No I wouldn't do that 🙂
      I would make it on a day when you have gluten free soy sauce.

      Reply
    • Imuzi Thompson says

      December 16, 2015 at 7:28 pm

      love it!! i need to go fix a dish right now

      Reply
  12. مؤسسة سحر اللمسات للمقاولات والديكور says

    September 28, 2015 at 1:20 pm

    شركة دهانات فلل بالرياض
    دهان بالرياض
    شركة دهان قصور بالرياض
    شركة دهان شقق بالرياض
    شركة أعمال دهانات بالرياض
    معلم دهانات بالرياض
    شركة دهان أبواب وشبابيك بالرياض

    شركة أعمال حجر بالرياض
    شركة واجهات حجر بالرياض
    شركة تركيب حجر صناعي بالرياض
    معلم تركيب حجر بالرياض
    شركة دهان بروفايل بالرياض

    Reply
  13. مؤسسة سحر اللمسات للمقاولات والديكور says

    September 28, 2015 at 1:20 pm

    شركة أعمال جبس بالرياض
    جبس بورد وأعمال جبسية بالرياض
    شركة جبس بورد بالرياض
    شركة تركيب حوائط جبس بورد بالرياض
    شركة تركيب قواطع جبس بورد بالرياض
    شركة تركيب أسقف مستعاره جبس بورد بالرياض
    فني تركيب جبس بالرياض
    شركة أعمال جبسيه بالرياض

    Reply
  14. مؤسسة سحر اللمسات للمقاولات والديكور says

    September 28, 2015 at 1:20 pm

    ورق حائط وورق جدران بالرياض
    صيانة جميع أعمال الفلل والمشاريع بالرياض
    جبس بورد وأعمال جبسية بالرياض
    تنسيق حدائق ومهندس حدائق بالرياض
    ترميم جميع المباني بالرياض
    أعمال حجر طبيعي بالرياض
    شركه مقاولات ومقاول بالرياض
    شركة كسر رخام بالرياض
    شركة أعمال كهرباء واعمال سباكة وفني كهرباء وتركيب بلاط ورخام بالرياض
    تركيب باركيه بالرياض
    شركة دهان بالرياض
    شركة ديكور بالرياض

    Reply
  15. Blair Lonergan says

    September 2, 2015 at 12:20 am

    I love this idea, Karen! And it looks SO much healthier than take-out! 🙂

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      September 8, 2015 at 5:59 pm

      oh totally, Blair.

      Reply
  16. eng sara says

    June 23, 2014 at 12:42 am

    شركة نقل اثاث بالرياض
    شركة تنظيف مجالس بالرياض
    شركة تنظيف موكيت بالرياض
    شركة كشف تسربات بالرياض
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    شركة غسيل خزانات بالرياض
    شركة تخزين اثاث بالرياض
    شركة تنظيف منازل بالرياض

    Reply
  17. eng sara says

    June 23, 2014 at 12:41 am

    شركة نقل اثاث بالرياض
    شركة عزل خزانات بالرياض
    شركة تنظيف كنب بالرياض
    شركة مكافحة حشرات بالرياض
    شركة تنظيف اثاث بالرياض
    شركة رش مبيدات بالرياض
    شركة عزل خزانات بالرياض
    شركة عزل حراري
    شركة عزل مائي
    شركة تنظيف مجالس بالرياض
    شركة تنظيف شقق بالرياض

    Reply
  18. eng sara says

    June 23, 2014 at 12:41 am

    شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالرياض
    شركة تنظيف فلل بالدمام
    شركة تنظيف بالدمام
    مكافحة الحشرات ورش المبيدات
    شركة كشف تسربات بجده
    شركة كشف تسربات بالخرج
    شركة تنظيف فلل بالدمام
    شركات نقل عفش بالدمام
    شركة مكافحة حشرات بالخبر
    شركة عزل اسطح بالخرج
    شركة تنظيف بيارات بالرياض
    اثاث مستعمل
    here
    here
    here
    here
    here

    Reply
  19. Andrea Sieger says

    January 30, 2014 at 1:56 pm

    Can I use chicken on the bone? should I cook first as well?

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      February 4, 2014 at 2:46 am

      Yes, you can use chicken on the bone. I'd remove the skin first though. Add raw to the crock with the sauce and cook for 6 hours on low.

      Reply
  20. [email protected] says

    May 9, 2013 at 2:55 am

    I'm not familiar with a ketchup substitute! Sorry 🙁

    Reply
  21. mleighk says

    May 8, 2013 at 6:53 am

    I'm allergic to tomatoes…. any ketchup substitutes?

    Reply
    • Madam Backslash says

      September 6, 2015 at 11:21 pm

      Try a little worcestershire sauce?

      Reply
    • Dark Beauty says

      March 11, 2022 at 12:05 am

      Ketchup is a fruit well tomato’s are a fruit which has sugar and ketchup has sugar. Anyways I heard someone say use puréed carrots as a straight substitute for tomato paste or in this case ketchup. Carrots are pretty high in sugar for a vegetable. You can just buy the baby food carrots. For something as small as a few tablespoons, just leave out the tomatoes.

      Reply
  22. Anonymous says

    November 1, 2012 at 1:20 am

    Just made it today and it was delicious! I used some sriracha sauce instead of the red pepper flakes. I may add the cashews closer to the end next time so they still have some crunch. I added cut up brocolli for the last 30 minutes and I served over brown rice (the frozen kind from Trader Joe's that you cook in the microwave – so quick and easy!).

    Reply
  23. Karen says

    September 17, 2012 at 4:56 pm

    sorry that you didn't like it.

    Reply
  24. Anonymous says

    September 14, 2012 at 10:45 pm

    I am a huge cashew chicken lover, so I was excited when I found this recipe. I have a family of four, and none of us liked this meal. I will not be making this again.

    Reply
  25. Kyra @ RACKS and Mooby says

    September 11, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    This sounds SOOO good! Can wait to try it. Have you ever tried baking it? (I'm sure I shouldn't say this on your site, but crock potting is difficult for me with my work schedule)

    Reply
  26. Karen says

    September 4, 2012 at 10:09 pm

    Miranda, I bet you could totally do it as a freezer meal! Let me know how it turns out.

    Reply
  27. Miranda says

    August 29, 2012 at 10:56 am

    Do you think it would work as a freezer meal? I am stocking up for after my baby is born… If so, would you just put the raw chicken in the sauce in the freezer bag with the sauce to marinade then cook it all in the crock pot? I know that cooked chicken doesn't freeze as well and doesn't keep as many nutrients as when it's frozen raw. — Let me know if anyone has tried it. Thanks! It looks delicious!

    -Miranda
    http://lifes-greatest-blessings.blogspot.com/

    Reply
    • jen says

      September 21, 2012 at 12:15 am

      was thinking of doing the same thing Miranda? did you try it?

      Reply
    • Madam Backslash says

      September 6, 2015 at 11:22 pm

      I did. It makes a fantastic freezer meal.

      Reply
  28. Karen says

    August 20, 2012 at 7:54 pm

    I don't find it too salty. Maybe next time use a low-sodium soy sauce.

    Reply
  29. Anonymous says

    August 17, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    No one found it a lil salty I'm wondering if I did something wrong?

    Reply
  30. Jenette says

    July 22, 2012 at 9:39 pm

    Tried this recipe today—perfect meal for after Church! This is now going into our rotation!

    Reply
  31. Denise says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    Do you ever substitute powdered ginger for fresh? If so, how much powdered form ginger do you put in?

    Reply
  32. Anonymous says

    May 21, 2012 at 5:16 pm

    Thank You for this quick, easy and tasty recipe. Everyone loved it!!

    Reply
  33. Karen says

    May 1, 2012 at 8:56 pm

    Erin, chicken breasts get really tough in the slow cooker because there isn't enough fat or collagen. Check here for a post about it:

    http://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/2010/08/411-on-chicken-breasts-and-slow-cooking.html

    and

    http://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/2012/01/kitchen-tip-tuesday-keeping-chicken.html

    Reply
  34. erin renee says

    May 1, 2012 at 4:56 pm

    Why do you discourage chicken breast for this recipe?

    Reply
  35. Karen says

    January 8, 2012 at 4:36 am

    Joan, I love this one too! So easy too.

    Reply
  36. Joan says

    January 8, 2012 at 3:39 am

    I almost NEVER comment on recipes, but I have to tell you, this one ROCKED!!!! It was seriously, SO, SO good! My whole family loved it (including my picky eaters) and asked for it on leftover night as well. I served it with steamed broccoli and brown rice. GREAT meal to come home to – thank you!

    Reply
  37. Anonymous says

    October 16, 2011 at 9:52 pm

    This was a great recipe, I substituted soy sauce for oyster sauce and skipped the ginger… Fantastic!

    Reply
  38. Anonymous says

    September 29, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    Brand-Eye

    I made this using carbalose flour to keep it low carb, and it was delicious!

    Reply
  39. Karen says

    March 17, 2011 at 9:03 pm

    Brand-Eye,
    you could try it. What the flour does is add a nice thickness to the sauce. If you leave the flour out, still go ahead and brown the chicken (seasoned with pepper). Then add 1 tbsp of quick cooking tapioca to the other sauce ingredients that are poured on top of the chicken. The tapioca will help thicken things up a bit. Good luck and let me know what you think!

    Reply
  40. Lara says

    March 17, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    My family loved this. Thank you!

    Reply
  41. Brand-Eye says

    March 17, 2011 at 8:08 pm

    Do you think it would be as good if I didn't coat the chicken in flour first in order to cut back the carbs/calories? Sounds pretty awesome.

    Reply
    • Lynn says

      August 10, 2017 at 7:23 pm

      Try coating with arrowroot or almond flour for low carb option. Use liquid aminos or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce , tomato paste instead of ketchup & coconut sugar instead of regular cane sugar. I substituted all of this for low carbs & it came out great!

      Reply
  42. Ira says

    March 1, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    Loved the recipe. My wife thought it was too spicy though. I doubled all the liquid ingredients except for the red pepper flakes. I also forgot to buy cashews, so….. I substituted water chestnuts. Definitely a 5 to me!

    Reply
  43. Heidi says

    December 16, 2010 at 6:56 pm

    I've only ever purchased chicken breast tenders frozen at Costco… Where do you get thigh tenders? Raw at the meat department of a normal grocery store?

    And do you get water chestnuts and rice wine vinegar in the Asian section of a store?

    Thanks for your help!!

    Reply
  44. Karen says

    April 27, 2010 at 8:33 pm

    Stephanie, if you buy the thigh tenders you don't have to cut them up but if you buy the whole thighs then you should cut them up into bite-sized pieces.

    Reply
  45. Stephanie Lowe says

    April 27, 2010 at 4:02 pm

    Are you supposed to cut the chicken up into small bites or cook the chicken thighs whole?

    Reply
  46. Heidi says

    March 15, 2010 at 3:15 am

    Just tried it and my kids – that swear they hate nuts – loved it!

    Reply
  47. Liz says

    January 26, 2010 at 2:44 am

    OH SO GOOD!! I have never cooked with thighs before and was a little apprehensive about trying them, but it was FABULOUS! I forgot to put the red pepper in, but it was still super yummy! I agree…5 stars all the way! Oh, by the way…I know your sister Alisha from church in Spokane! Small world!

    Reply
  48. The Kings says

    December 31, 2009 at 2:21 am

    I agree with the 5 star rating! This was so good and so easy to make. Everybody had seconds!
    My 5 year old sons comment, "You made this sooo great Mommy!" Of course said with his mouth full of chicken!

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Karen. I know that dinner time can be less than relaxing. Busy schedules and cranky kids and a hundred other things can lead to weariness when it comes to putting dinner on the table. I can help! I make homemade, family-friendly slow cooker and Instant Pot dinners and share the recipes with you.

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