Cashew Chicken

Cashew Chicken is a classic dish from Asian cuisine, particularly Chinese, but I will propose a variation with an Italian twist.

Ingredients for Italian-style Cashew Chicken:

• 500 g of chicken breast, cut into small pieces
• 150 g of unsalted cashews
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 onion, finely sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 60 ml of Italian white wine (for example, Pinot Grigio)
• 120 ml of chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon of corn flour (cornstarch)
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

To add a touch closer to the authentic Chinese flavor and if you have them available, you could add soy sauce and a tablespoon of honey to lightly caramelize the dish.

Preparation

1. In a large skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown on all sides. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add more oil if necessary and cook the onion and garlic until translucent.
4. Add the bell pepper strips and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes.
5. Put the chicken back in the skillet with the vegetables and add the cashews.
6. Deglaze with the white wine and let it evaporate for a minute.
7. In a separate bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the chicken broth and then pour the mixture into the skillet.
8. Let everything cook for another 5-7 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
9. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
10. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

Curiosity

Chinese-inspired dishes prepared the Italian way are often enriched with typical ingredients of our cuisine such as extra virgin olive oil or fresh parsley, which confer a Mediterranean flavor even to the most exotic recipes.

Remember that this dish can be accompanied by a side of simply cooked rice to absorb the sauce and enhance the flavor of the meal.