Crispy Air Fryer Cashew Chicken with Homemade Sauce

This Air Fryer Cashew Chicken transforms a popular Asian dish into a healthier, more affordable version. Tender chicken thighs are air-fried to a crispy finish and tossed in my homemade cashew chicken sauce. It’s as delicious as ordering takeout, but with much less guilt!

Also, Be Sure to Check Out My Air Fryer Beef Fried Rice!

When I was younger, I worked at The Cheesecake Factory, where I actually met my wife. Love at The Cheesecake Factory… sounds pretty romantic, right? During my time there, I had the chance to sample just about everything on their vast menu. But my absolute favorite was their cashew chicken. I couldn’t get enough of it and would often spend my hard-earned tips ordering it at the end of my shift!

What Is an Air Fryer?
An Air Fryer is a small electrical kitchen appliance that uses rapidly circulating hot air to cook your food. The hot air surrounds the food, resulting in a crispy exterior and tender interior. This process mimics deep frying but with very little oil, making it a healthier option!

About three years ago, my wife gifted me an Air Fryer for Christmas. Since then, I’ve discovered that I can air fry nearly anything! I’ve found ways to make healthy meals even tastier, like with these Air Fried Vegetables. I’ve also managed to make indulgent dishes healthier, such as these French Toast Sticks. And I’ve been able to reinvent some of my favorite meals, like this Air Fried Chicken Cordon Bleu.

Easy Air Fryer Cashew Chicken

Asian-Inspired Air Fryer Recipes
I’ve always been a fan of Chinese takeout. Ordering from my favorite local restaurant on a Friday night is something I can’t resist. However, I always feel a little guilty—takeout can be expensive, and let’s face it, the ingredients aren’t always the healthiest. That’s when I realized I could create Air Fryer versions of my favorite Chinese dishes at home. I started with Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken, using a store-bought General Tso’s sauce that was not only delicious but all-natural too! After that, I made Air Fryer Orange Chicken with my own homemade sauce, which turned out great! That success inspired me to keep the momentum going with this Air Fryer Cashew Chicken recipe.

Air Fryer Cashew Chicken
This recipe for Air Fryer Cashew Chicken makes an excellent lunch or dinner. If you time everything right, the rice, the sauce, and the chicken will all cook in about 10 minutes each. If you start them all at the same time, everything will finish together, and you can just plate and eat!

For all of my Air Fried Asian dishes, I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs as the protein. While I’ve seen others use boneless, skinless chicken breasts in their recipes, and that will certainly work, I’m a huge fan of chicken thighs. They have so much flavor and tenderness. You can definitely go with chicken breasts if you want to make the dish a bit lighter. As for the coating, many people use potato starch instead of cornstarch. I prefer cornstarch, but if you’re a fan of potato starch, go ahead and use it! It’s your kitchen, after all!

I hope you enjoy this Air Fryer Cashew Chicken recipe. Let me know how it turns out for you in the comments! Happy frying!

This Air Fryer Cashew Chicken makes a popular Asian dish healthier and more budget-friendly. Crispy chicken thighs are cooked in your Air Fryer and then tossed in a delicious homemade cashew chicken sauce. It’s just like takeout, but without the guilt!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 589 kcal

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 egg, scrambled
• 1/4 cup corn starch

For the Sauce:

• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tsp corn starch
• 1/4 cup cashews
• 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp corn starch
• 2 tbsp water
• 1/4 cup broccoli, cut into small crowns
• 1/2 bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 green onions, diced
• Sesame seeds (optional) for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the Air Fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Dredge each piece in scrambled egg and then coat in corn starch, making sure each piece is fully coated.
3. Lightly spray the Air Fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the chicken in the basket and cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. The chicken should be crispy on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
4. While the chicken cooks, prepare the vegetables. Cut the broccoli into small crowns and the red bell pepper into 1-inch pieces.
5. In a saucepan, combine the broccoli, red bell pepper, 1/4 cup water, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cashews, and brown sugar. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.
6. After 5 minutes, add the minced garlic, 2 tbsp corn starch, and 2 tbsp water to the pan. Lower the heat and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.
7. Once the chicken is done, add it to the saucepan with the sauce and vegetables. Stir to combine, making sure the chicken is well coated in the sauce.
8. Serve the Air Fryer Cashew Chicken over white rice. Garnish with diced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.

Recipe Notes

• I prefer using boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe, but you can substitute chicken breasts if you prefer a leaner option.
• Corn starch is my go-to for coating the chicken, but if you prefer potato starch, feel free to use that instead. It will work just as well!