Why You’ll Love this Creamy Curry-Spiced Cashew Chicken
This curry-spiced cashew chicken is the ultimate comfort food that strikes the perfect balance between creamy indulgence and exotic flavor. I’m obsessed with how the velvety whipping cream sauce clings to each tender strip of chicken, creating the most luxurious mouthfeel you can imagine.
The curry powder adds just enough warmth without overwhelming the dish, while those buttery cashews provide the perfect crunchy contrast to the creamy sauce. Can you think of a better way to elevate simple chicken breasts? And those sautéed mushrooms—they soak up all that gorgeous flavor like little sponges.
Trust me, this isn’t your average chicken dinner. Served over steaming rice with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, it’s restaurant-quality comfort that comes together in less than 30 minutes.
What Ingredients are in Creamy Curry-Spiced Cashew Chicken?
This creamy curry-spiced cashew chicken recipe combines tender chicken pieces with earthy mushrooms, aromatic spices, and crunchy cashews. The secret to its luxurious texture? A rich cream sauce that perfectly balances the warm curry flavor. It’s one of those dishes that seems fancy but comes together quite easily, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
- 2 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts (4 pieces)
- 1/4 cup apple juice (note: recipe mentions sherry in instructions)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 large garlic clove, pressed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 pound mushrooms, sliced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1/3 cup salted cashews
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- Hot rice for serving
When shopping for this recipe, quality matters for a few key ingredients. Look for plump, fresh mushrooms without dark spots or sliminess. The whipping cream should be heavy cream (not half-and-half) to achieve the proper thickness. And while any cashews will work, lightly toasted ones provide an extra dimension of flavor. Could you substitute chicken thighs? Absolutely—they might even add more moisture and flavor to the final dish. Just remember to adjust cooking time accordingly since dark meat takes a bit longer to cook through.
How to Make this Creamy Curry-Spiced Cashew Chicken
To begin making this luscious cashew chicken, start by slicing 2 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts (that’s 4 pieces total) into strips about 1/2 inch wide. Place these strips in a bowl and create a quick marinade with 1/4 cup apple juice, 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 pressed garlic clove, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon curry powder. Toss everything together until the chicken is well coated, then let it rest for about 15 minutes. This marination step is essential, giving the chicken time to absorb all those wonderful flavors.
Don’t we all love a dish where the protein actually tastes like something? While the chicken is marinating, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a pan and sauté 1 pound of sliced mushrooms for about 2 minutes until they’re nicely browned. Remove the mushrooms and set them aside. In the same pan, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and once it’s hot, add your marinated chicken strips. Sauté them quickly over high heat for 5-10 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden color.
Then reunite the mushrooms with the chicken, tossing them together over high heat for 30 seconds. Now for the magic touch—pour in 1 cup of whipping cream and cook, stirring continuously, until the cream reduces and thickens into a rich, velvety sauce. For even better heat control and authentic Asian cooking results, consider using a wok cooking system that distributes heat evenly throughout the cooking process. Transfer everything to a serving dish and garnish with 1/3 cup salted cashews and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Serve this creamy delight over hot rice, and watch as everyone at the table falls silent with that first heavenly bite.
Creamy Curry-Spiced Cashew Chicken Substitutions and Variations
Many home cooks wonder about tweaking this recipe to suit dietary needs or pantry availability, and I’m happy to say this dish welcomes creative adaptations. Can’t do dairy? Coconut cream makes a luxurious substitute for the whipping cream, actually enhancing the curry flavors. No apple juice? White wine works beautifully, or even chicken broth in a pinch.
For a healthier version, try using Greek yogurt instead of cream, just stir it in off the heat to prevent curdling. Vegetarians might swap in firm tofu or chickpeas for the chicken. The mushrooms are flexible too—button, cremini, or shiitake all bring different nuances to the dish. And while cashews provide that signature crunch, almonds or even roasted pumpkin seeds can pinch-hit when needed. The curry powder? Feel free to adjust to your heat preference.
What to Serve with Creamy Curry-Spiced Cashew Chicken
While the recipe mentions serving this dish over hot rice, there’s a whole world of accompaniments that can elevate your curry-spiced cashew chicken to restaurant-worthy status. I’m partial to fragrant jasmine rice, but basmati works beautifully too, soaking up all that creamy curry sauce.
For a complete meal, consider adding a bright side salad with cucumber and tomato dressed simply with lime juice. Warm naan bread is perfect for scooping up every last bit of sauce, trust me.
And don’t forget vegetable sides – steamed broccoli or sautéed snap peas provide a nice textural contrast to the creamy main dish.
Want something invigorating to drink? A mango lassi or chilled cucumber water balances the curry’s richness perfectly.
Final Thoughts
This creamy curry-spiced cashew chicken has become one of my favorite weeknight recipes, bringing restaurant-quality flavor to the dinner table with surprisingly little effort. The combination of tender chicken strips, earthy mushrooms, and crunchy cashews creates a textural masterpiece that’s simply irresistible.
What I love most is how versatile this dish can be. Don’t have apple juice? Chicken broth works in a pinch. Want more veggies? Toss in some bell peppers or snow peas. The curry powder adds just enough warmth without overwhelming the delicate cream sauce.
Remember to watch the cream carefully as it reduces—that’s where the magic happens. Isn’t it amazing how a handful of humble ingredients can transform into something so luxurious? Your family will think you’ve been cooking all day.