How to Make Paleo-Friendly Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry: A Simple Guide
If you’re someone who’s exploring the world of healthier eating, you’ve probably heard of the Paleo diet. This diet focuses on eating foods that our hunter-gatherer ancestors might have eaten, emphasizing whole foods and cutting out processed foods, grains, and dairy. Today, I’m here to share a delicious recipe that fits perfectly into this eating plan: a Paleo-friendly cashew chicken stir-fry.
Stir-fry dishes are a fantastic way to pack a ton of flavor and nutrition into a single meal, and they’re incredibly versatile. The combination of tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and vibrant veggies in this dish makes it a complete meal that will keep you satisfied and on track with your Paleo goals. Plus, it’s super simple to make, requiring only one pan and a few basic ingredients.
Ingredients:
First things first, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make this mouth-watering dish. The ingredients are straightforward and customizable based on your preferences or what you have in your kitchen. For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon avocado or coconut oil (for cooking)
- 1 large bell pepper, sliced (any color will do, but red or yellow adds a nice sweetness)
- 1 cup of snap peas or broccoli florets (or any other Paleo-friendly vegetable you like)
- ½ cup of roasted cashews (unsalted is best so you can control the sodium)
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, grated (or 1 teaspoon of ground ginger)
- For the sauce:
- ¼ cup coconut aminos (a soy sauce alternative that’s Paleo-friendly)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot starch (to thicken the sauce without using cornstarch)
Instructions:
Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s get cooking. This dish comes together quickly, so it’s best to prepare all your ingredients before you start cooking.
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Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, and arrowroot starch. This combination will create a delicious, thick sauce that coats the ingredients beautifully. Set the sauce aside for now.
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Cook the Chicken: Heat the avocado or coconut oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until they’re browned and cooked through. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
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Stir-Fry the Veggies: In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed and toss in your chopped vegetables. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes till they’re just getting tender but still have a bit of crunch. Then add the garlic and ginger, and stir-fry for another minute until fragrant.
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Combine: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the veggies. Pour the sauce over the top and add the roasted cashews. Stir everything together, making sure the sauce coats all the ingredients well. Allow the mixture to cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once everything is well combined and heated through, your cashew chicken stir-fry is ready to serve. Dish it out on its own or over a bed of cauliflower rice for a full Paleo-friendly meal.
Tips & Customizations:
- Feel free to swap out the chicken for another protein like shrimp or beef if you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.
- The beauty of stir-fry dishes is their flexibility. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different vegetables based on what’s in season or what you have on hand.
- If you like a little heat, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the sauce or stir-fry.
Conclusion:
Making a Paleo-friendly cashew chicken stir-fry is as simple as it is delicious. It’s a wonderful way to keep your meals interesting, healthy, and aligned with Paleo principles. By using whole ingredients and making smart swaps like coconut aminos for soy sauce, you can create a dish that’s both satisfying and good for you. Give it a try, and don’t be afraid to make it your own with tweaks and personal touches. Bon appétit!
