Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken Recipe
This Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken is an easy and delicious option for a weeknight dinner. Featuring tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and colorful vegetables, this one pan chicken dinner is not only convenient but also packed with flavor. It’s a healthy cashew chicken stir fry baked to perfection, making it a great choice for busy families.
With its approachable recipe, this dish offers a quick solution for meal prep and planning, ensuring you have a nutritious, high protein chicken dinner ready in no time. This Asian inspired cashew chicken is gluten-free and perfect for those looking for budget-friendly dinner ideas.
Vibrant Ingredients for a Delicious Meal
The heart of this dish lies in its colorful ingredients. Bright red bell peppers, green broccoli, and orange carrots not only add visual appeal but also provide a range of flavors and textures. These vegetables complement the tender, marinated chicken thighs, creating a balanced meal that is both nutritious and satisfying.
Cashews bring a delightful crunch to the mix, enhancing the overall experience with their toasted flavor. This combination makes for an inviting presentation that is sure to please everyone at the table.
Simple Preparation Steps
Preparing this dish is straightforward, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights. Start by marinating the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. This step infuses the chicken with rich flavors while ensuring it remains juicy during baking.
Once marinated, arrange the chicken and vegetables on a lined sheet pan, sprinkle with cashews, and let the oven do the work. In just 25 minutes, you’ll have a meal that’s ready to serve, allowing you to spend more time enjoying dinner with your family.
Health Benefits of Cashew Chicken
This dish stands out as a healthy option among quick weeknight chicken recipes. With a good balance of protein from the chicken and healthy fats from the cashews, it supports a nutritious diet. The inclusion of vibrant vegetables adds essential vitamins and minerals, making it a wholesome choice for any meal.
Moreover, this Asian inspired cashew chicken is gluten-free, catering to various dietary needs without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.
Meal Prep and Planning
For those looking to streamline their weeknight dinners, this recipe is a fantastic addition to meal prep routines. Preparing a batch of this sheet pan cashew chicken allows for easy reheating throughout the week, ensuring that you have high protein chicken dinners ready to go.
It’s an excellent option for family-friendly sheet pan meals, as it serves four and can easily be adjusted for larger gatherings or leftovers.
Serving Suggestions
To enhance the dining experience, consider garnishing the baked cashew chicken with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. These simple additions elevate the dish, providing a pop of color and an extra layer of flavor.
Pair this meal with steamed rice or quinoa for a complete dining experience that is both satisfying and nutritious. This crispy baked chicken recipe is versatile enough to adapt to your favorite sides, making it a staple in your weekly meal rotation.
Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas
One of the appealing aspects of this recipe is its affordability. Using simple, accessible ingredients, it offers a delicious meal option without breaking the bank. This makes it a smart choice for families looking to enjoy a hearty dinner without overspending.
Incorporating this easy cashew chicken recipe into your meal planning can help you save time and money while still enjoying a variety of flavors and textures at the dinner table.
Easy Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken Recipe
This recipe combines marinated chicken thighs with cashews and a mix of vibrant vegetables, all roasted on a single sheet pan. It takes about 30 minutes from start to finish and serves 4 people, making it a perfect option for family-friendly sheet pan meals.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup cashews, unsalted
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, carrots)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken thighs and let them marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Prepare the Sheet Pan: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the marinated chicken on one side of the sheet pan and the mixed vegetables on the other.
- Add Cashews: Sprinkle the cashews over the chicken and vegetables.
- Bake: Place the sheet pan in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your crispy baked chicken recipe.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories: 350kcal
- Fat: 18g
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
