One Pan Broccoli Cashew Chicken {15 Minute Meal} | Recipes to Nourish (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Emily Criswell · I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article · 100 Comments

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One Pan Broccoli Cashew Chicken whips up in 15minutes and is so easy to make. This delicious, 10 ingredient, full of flavor meal is easy on the budget too!

this RECIPE

Who needs take-out when you can make it at home?

One Pan Broccoli Cashew Chicken is always a favorite in my home!

We don't do take-out and we rarely go out to eat {once in a blue moon}, but that doesn't mean I don't crave old favorites from my childhood.

Whenever I'm craving good ole' Chinese take-out, I bat my eyes at my husband and ask him to make some for us. Not that I can't make it myself, but it always tastes better when he makes it. Plus, he's a former chef and makes some pretty good food too.

I just let him know what kind of "take-out" I'm thinking of, then I buy the ingredients, and he cooks it.

One Pan Broccoli Cashew Chicken {15 Minute Meal} | Recipes to Nourish (2)

This healthier broccoli cashew chicken is so delicious!

It's probably one of my favorite take-out at home inspired meals. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

There's just something about this flavor combo. Hearty, protein-rich chicken, tender broccoli, creamy cashews, spicy garlic, zesty ginger, and a little bit of salty with a hint of sweet, saucy goodness. So good!

One Pan Broccoli Cashew Chicken {15 Minute Meal} | Recipes to Nourish (3)

Making one pan broccoli cashew chicken take-out at home is so easy!

This meal is so easy to make make and it cooks up in no time! And it's all made in one pan! Plus it's budget-friendly! What's not to love about all of that?!

I can usually find good deals on all of the ingredients for this one pan broccoli cashew chicken. Broccoli tends to be one of the least expensive vegetables at my local natural foods co-op year-round {some other veggies that are usually budget-friendly are cabbage and Dino kale}. Garlic is always on the less expensive side and even cheaper if I buy some at the local farmers market.

I almost always have coconut aminos,bone brothand raw honey stocked in my pantry. I do like to look for sales on these ingredients and stock up when I can. My local natural foods co-op tends to have sales on these items every few months {always a good time to purchase more than one if you can}.

Since meat tends to be the larger price item, I like to find ways to make the meal more hearty and protein-rich without having to buy more meat. In this case, cashews are the star. I find they are much more affordable in the bulk section at mylocal natural foods co-op.

I also know the bulk section is very popular where I shop which guarantees that the cashews are fresher and haven't been sitting for long.

One Pan Broccoli Cashew Chicken {15 Minute Meal} | Recipes to Nourish (4)

This meal takes very little prep time.

Just grab some kitchen scissors and cut up the chicken, chop up some garlic, grate some fresh ginger, and cut the broccoli florets into bite size pieces. This usually takes about10 minutes to do.

Toss all of this goodness into a hot pan and in 15 minutes you'll have a piping hot, super delicious, take-out at home, cozy meal.

One Pan Broccoli Cashew Chicken {15 Minute Meal} | Recipes to Nourish (5)

One Pan Broccoli Cashew Chicken is the most delicious take-out at home comfort food.

One Pan Broccoli Cashew Chicken {15 Minute Meal} | Recipes to Nourish (6)

Next time you're thinking about take-out, give this real food version a try instead.

Your body and tastebuds will thank you.

One Pan Broccoli Cashew Chicken

One Pan Broccoli Cashew Chicken {15 Minute Meal} | Recipes to Nourish (7)

Yield: 2-4 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

One Pan Broccoli Cashew Chicken whips up in 15minutes and is so easy to make. This delicious, 10 ingredient, full of flavor meal is easy on the budget too!

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed (preferably pasture-raised or organic)
  • 2 tablespoon grass-fed butter, ghee or avocado oil
  • 1" chunk ginger, grated or finely minced
  • 5 fresh garlic cloves, finely minced
  • ½ teaspoon mineral-rich salt (my favorite salt)
  • 1 cup roasted cashews
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • ½ cup homemade bone brothor store-bought bone broth
  • ¼ cup coconut aminos
  • 2 tablespoon honey

Instructions

  1. Add healthy fat of choice to a pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and ginger, stirring occasionally for 1minute.
  2. Add the chicken and season with sea salt, stirring occasionally for 3-4 minutes until there is no more pink in the chicken. Add the cashews and broccoli, stirring occasionally for 1minute.
  3. Add the bone broth, coconut aminos and honey, stirring occasionally for 9 minutes or until the sauce has slightly thickened, the broccoli is tender and chicken is cooked through.
  4. Remove from heat and allow to rest for a couple of minutes then serve immediately.

Notes

Chicken Tips: I prefer cutting the chicken up into cubes with kitchen scissors but you can easily do the same just chopping it up on a cutting board.

The photographs of this recipe, recipe and all content above are copyright protected.Please do not use my photos without prior written permission. If you choose to share this recipe, please use properetiquette and provide a link back to my original recipe on my blog with proper disclosure [the original recipe - "title of recipe" by Recipes to Nourish]. If you make significant changes to the recipe or adapt the recipe in any way, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words and provide a link back here with properdisclosure for credit. Thanks for understanding!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: 4 ounces
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 172Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 164mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 13g

This nutritional information was auto-generated based on serving size, number of servings, and typical information for the ingredients listed. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circ*mstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

Are you onPinterest? I pinlots of yummy real food recipes + more there. I have a board just for Gluten Free Treats+ Main Dishes too. Come follow along.

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About Emily Criswell

Emily Criswell is a chocolate- and sweet treat-loving, holistic-minded mom of 4. She's a 4-time cookbook author -The Art of Great Cooking withYour Instant Pot {ranked in Amazon's top 10 new releases - gluten free recipes}, Amazing Mexican Favorites with Your Instant Pot{ranked as a #1 New Release BEST SELLER!}, Low-Carb Cooking with Your Instant Pot, The Big Book of Instant Pot Recipes, food photographer, homeschooler and the founder of Recipes to Nourish, a gluten-free blog focusing on real food and natural living. She works to empower her readers by showing them that there is a healthier way to eat and live. Her passion is to make healthy, natural living as uncomplicated and enjoyable as possible.Find Emily’s latest recipes and natural living tips atRecipes to Nourish. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram,Pinterest, Twitterand YouTube plus grab her free eBookHolistic Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy. Read more >>About Emily.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Erin Carter

    Oh this reminds me of the Chinese Cashew Chicken I used to love before going paleo. I can't wait to try this!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Yep! I know what you mean. I used to enjoy that kind of cashew chicken when I was a kid. I hope you get to make this healthier version. 🙂

      Reply

  2. Janice

    Would this recipe work without the honey?

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Are you able to use another natural sweetener like maple syrup? If not, it shouldn't make a huge difference if you omit it, but the honey does thicken the sauce a little bit and adds a hint of sweet.

      Reply

  3. Renee Kohley

    I have never had cashew chicken! That sauce sounds amazing and I think I would love the crunch of the nuts! Thank you for sharing this!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Oh it's so yummy Renee! I hope you get to try some! 🙂

      Reply

  4. Raia

    I love how easy this sounds! And so much healthier than take-out. 😉

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thanks Raia! 🙂 Yes! So much healthier than take-out!

      Reply

  5. Rebecca Strength and Sunshine

    O I love cashew chicken! This looks delicious and right up my ally!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Cashew chicken is so awesome! 🙂

      Reply

  6. Megan

    YESSS for using bone broth! And yum, a usually greasy, take out made healthy! Way to go.

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thanks Megan! I love to add bone broth in wherever I can. 🙂

      Reply

      • Diana

        Is bone broth the same as chicken broth?

        Reply

        • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

          Hi Diana, you can use chicken broth. Bone broth can be chicken, beef, etc - it's a broth that uses the bones vs a regular chicken broth that uses meat. I hope that makes sense. You can use either though 🙂

          Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      I love that you love it too! It's such a yummy classic! 🙂 I agree, so much better than take-out.

      Reply

  7. Stacey Crawford

    What is not to love! Cashew broccoli chicken in one pan in 15 minutes. On my dinner menu asap!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thanks Stacey! I hope you get to make some! 🙂

      Reply

  8. Amanda at Literary Weaponry

    I am definitely going to try this. I love Chinese takeout but after our last move I haven't been about to find a good place to get it from. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to make it myself. I'll blame "mom brain" for this one. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      I hope you get to make some! I totally get and understand the "mom brain" 🙂

      Reply

  9. Susie Z

    This looks so delicious! Do you serve over rice or cauli-rice or just on its own?

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      We normally eat it just on it's own, but it would be delicious with cauli-rice! 🙂

      Reply

  10. Tina

    One of my fave dishes!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      It's so yummy! 🙂

      Reply

  11. linda spiker

    That looks so good! And so simple. Can't beat that!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thank you Linda! 🙂

      Reply

  12. Carol Little R.H.

    This recipe looks SO delicious ~ easy to make, colourful and very appealing. I hear you re your hubby making this -- It's such a treat to have a beloved make us a meal ! Pinning to make soon!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thank you so much Carol! I appreciate the pin 🙂 And so true, it really is special to have that.

      Reply

  13. Brianna

    I love that you use coconut aminos, bone broth and raw honey! Those little tweets in ingredients make all the difference??

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Yes! So true Brianna 🙂

      Reply

  14. Allison - Celebrating Sweets

    This sounds SO good! I love the crunch from cashews. Can't wait to give it a try!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thanks Allison! I hope you get to make some 🙂

      Reply

  15. Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish

    I'm loving the sounds of this cashew chicken!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thanks Suzy! 🙂

      Reply

  16. Molly Kumar

    This looks so easy to make and healthy too. I love the combination of cashews with chicken and this looks absolutely yum.

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thank you Molly! 🙂

      Reply

  17. Christine

    What a delicious recipe! I have been looking for a recipe like this because since changing my diet I really miss Chinese take out. Must try this!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thank you Christine! I hope you get to make some 🙂

      Reply

  18. Meg | Meg is Well

    #1 qualification of husband: must cook good Chinese take-out food! All my favorite Chinese take out dishes have broccoli in them-there really is just something about the way the broccoli blends with all the other ingredients. Now my stomach is growling for some of this!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      LOL love that! I agree, I love the broccoli in them too! 🙂

      Reply

  19. Cristina Curp

    What a perfect weeknight meal. I just love the texture of cooked cashews.

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thank you Cristina! I love the texture of cooked cashews too, so yummy! 🙂

      Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thanks so much Megan! 🙂 It's a family favorite!

      Reply

  20. Kelsey

    Two weeks in a row your recipes are making our meal plan! I love cashew chicken! And your sauce recipe is beyond simple to whip up for a quick weeknight dinner, thanks!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Aww really?!!! I love that! Thank you Kelsey! I hope you enjoy it 🙂

      Reply

  21. ChihYu

    I can never say no to broccoli and cashew nut chicken. You are making me so hungry !!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thank you ChihYu! 🙂 Gotta love that flavor combo!

      Reply

  22. Michele Spring

    Oh you are awesome - I have chicken thawed in the fridge and some broccoli and I was just wondering what I was going to make for dinner. Well, now I know. Thanks for taking care of that for me! 🙂

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Oh yum! I hope you enjoy it 🙂

      Reply

  23. Anna

    I am so pinning this. I love this dish!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thank you Anna for pin! 🙂

      Reply

  24. Christie

    This looks amazing! Do you think it would matter if the cashews were not roasted? Or could I roast them myself? I only have raw cashews in the pantry at the moment...

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      I'm sure raw cashews are fine too Christie 🙂 I hope you get to make some!

      Reply

  25. Katja

    Love me a good one pan dinner! Can't wait to try this!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thank you Katja, I love one pan dinners too! 🙂

      Reply

  26. Rachel

    Real take-out annoys me so much with all its grains and sugar that homemade is the only way I get "take-out" these days!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Yep! Same here Rachel! 🙂

      Reply

  27. Christy

    So easy! So delicious! I used Bragg's Amino's because that's what I had on hand and served over Basmati Rice. It was amazing! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      That sounds perfect! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply

  28. Mark

    Great way to recreate that Chinese style flavour (without the food-coma afterwards!)

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply

  29. Jessica DeMay

    I love recreating take-put at home and this one looks delicious! I'll have to try it!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thanks Jessica! Take-out at home is the best! 🙂 I hope you get to try some.

      Reply

  30. Kari Peters

    I love that this only takes 15 minutes because that's just the right amount of time when you have a serious takeout craving - anything longer and I might cave!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Yes so true! It really helps that it comes together so fast. 🙂

      Reply

  31. Taesha

    This sounds so easy and so much healthier (and tastier) than restaurant cashew chicken!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thank you Taesha! 🙂

      Reply

  32. Becky Winkler (A Calculated Whisk)

    15-minute meals are pure gold. Can't wait to try this!!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Yes! Can't get better than 15 minute meals! 🙂

      Reply

  33. Hannah Healy

    Wow! Another amazing chicken dish!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thank you Hannah! 🙂

      Reply

  34. Carrie Forrest

    This looks so easy and delicious!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thank you Carrie! 🙂

      Reply

  35. Vanessa Woozley

    Delicious simple midweek recipe! I cant wait to make this try, especially as it a way to incorporate more bone broth!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      I hope you get to make some Vanessa! 🙂

      Reply

  36. Amy

    YES!!!! Adding this to my menu this week!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Oh yum! Enjoy it Amy! 🙂

      Reply

  37. Georgina Young

    You had me at 'one pan' (and cashew) Emily! This looks like the perfect family dinner x

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thanks so much Georgina! 🙂

      Reply

  38. Dena Norton

    I made a double batch of this last night and served it over rice noodles - it was a big hit and I have enough for leftovers! Great recipe, Emily!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thanks so much for sharing that with me Dena! I'm so glad you had leftovers to enjoy! xo

      Reply

  39. Agness of Run Agness Run

    Broccoli and cashew are my favourite ingredients in the kitchen, Emily! However, I never thought about combining them like this! Thumbs up for the idea!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Thanks! I hope you get to make some, the go so well together 🙂

      Reply

  40. Jennifer

    How many does the recipe feed? Thanks! Sounds delish!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      About 4 servings. 3 of my family members eat this and we usually have leftovers the next day. Hope that helps. 🙂

      Reply

  41. Tee

    This recipe sounds really good. I live in a small town, our grocery store doesn't sell bone broth, and I don't have the bones to make it myself at this time. Can I make it with chicken or vegetable broth? Or is this better off waiting til I can get myself some bone broth?

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Absolutely, you could use whatever broth you have on hand. I hope you get to make some 🙂

      Reply

  42. Gina

    any trick to getting the sauce to thicken? After the 9 minutes my broccoli was over done and the sauce was still not thick. any suggestions would be appreciated.

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Hi Gina, it's not supposed to be a thick sauce. What I mean by slightly thickened is that the liquid will reduce some, but it's not going to be a thick sauce. The 9 minutes is an estimate time on how long it will take you to cook the broccoli, because every stovetop and cookware is different. You should cook it for about 9 minutes or until the broccoli is tender and the chicken is cooked through. My husband was a cook in Asian restaurants in the past and all sauces are thickened with corn starch, so that's what most people are used to. If you'd like it to be thicker, you could thicken it with corn starch at the end of the cook time, but make sure to find one that is organic and non-GMO. This won't make it Paleo anymore, but if corn isn't an issue for you, it's something you could try. Alternatively, you could cut back on the liquid and reduce the amount a little. Hope that helps! 🙂

      Reply

  43. Krystal Wight Armstrong

    Yay, so excited I found your healthy version of Cashew Chicken; this is exactly what I was hoping for! 'Have lots of zucchini right now and really wanted to make this old favorite with it. Glad I can get by with simple ingredients like coconut aminos and honey (was afraid I'd have to look up complicated recipes to make healthy 'hoisin sauce' etc.) 'So looking forward to making your version tonight!

    Only question- how much do you think it would suffer (taste wise) if I don't have any bone broth made up at the moment? Would water and maybe a pinch more salt (or something?), just ruin the recipe?
    Thanks so much for this, and any advice you can offer. 🙂

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      Hi Krystal 🙂 I'm so glad you found it. Do you have any kind of broth on hand, it doesn't have to be bone broth. I can't say for sure because I've never made it with water, but it could change the flavor just a bit. I wouldn't add more salt until it's cooked and do a taste test to see if it needs some or if it might need more coconut aminos, or a splash or apple cider vinegar maybe, or more sweet with honey? I'm guessing it's going to need a little flavor boost if you use water, I'm just not sure what would be needed since I haven't made it that way before. Hope that helps some 🙂

      Reply

  44. Melody

    This has become a go to quick and healthy recipe in my house! My kids actually like it- they love eating it with chopsticks (miracle!) and I usually have all of the ingredients on hand (perfection!). I usually don't add the honey (the first time I made this we were doing Whole30) and I think it's delicious without it. Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply

    • Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri

      That makes me so happy! I'm so thrilled that your whole family enjoys it. That's so great that it works without the honey too, so perfect for Whole30. 🙂

      Reply

  45. Jean

    A quick and yummy stir fry is always my go-to on busy nights and this one looks fantastic! When it can be this flavorful and be made in 15 minutes, it's definitely a winner!

    Reply

  46. Tessa Simpson

    15 minute meals like this are what make a momma's world go around! So making this Emily!!

    Reply

  47. Kathryn

    This looks so delicious and I know my kids would love all of these ingredients. Pinning it so I remember to make this next week! Beautiful pictures too!

    Reply

  48. CHIHYU

    I love stir-fry dishes. They are always welcome in my house! So delicious!

    Reply

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