If you have ever craved the perfect blend of bold flavors, crisp textures, and that unmistakable zing of spice that makes your taste buds dance, then you are in for a real treat with the Cheesecake Factory’s Spicy Cashew Chicken Recipe. This dish masterfully balances tender, golden-fried chicken with crunchy cashews and a vibrant, spicy soy-sherry sauce that delivers just the right amount of heat and sweetness. Every bite bursts with excitement, making it a favorite that you’ll want to share with friends, family, or simply savor on your own. Let’s dive into recreating this sensational recipe in your own kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start, gather these simple yet essential ingredients that work harmoniously to create the perfect texture, color, and rich layers of flavor essential for the Cheesecake Factory’s Spicy Cashew Chicken Recipe.
- Chicken Breast (1 ½ pounds): The star protein, cut into bite-sized chunks for even cooking and easy eating.
- Cashews (8 oz): Adds a buttery crunch that contrasts perfectly with the tender chicken.
- Green Onions (6 stalks): Sliced to add freshness and a mild bite.
- Canola or Vegetable Oil (⅓ cup): Ideal for frying to golden perfection without overwhelming flavor.
- Rice Flour (used in two parts): Creates a light and crispy coating that’s gluten-free-friendly and keeps the chicken delightfully crisp.
- Kosher Salt, Ground Black Pepper, Paprika, and Baking Powder: These seasonings in the flour ensure the chicken coating is flavorful and textured just right.
- All-Purpose Flour (¼ cup): Helps balance the rice flour in the batter for perfect consistency.
- Ice Water (1 ½ cups): Keeps the batter cold for crispiness when frying.
- Hoisin Sauce (1 cup): A rich, sweet base for the spicy soy-sherry sauce.
- Soy Sauce (¼ cup): Adds salty umami depth to the sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar or White Grape Juice (¼ cup): Brings a subtle sweetness and brightness.
- Rice Vinegar (2 tbsp): Enhances the tangy undertones.
- Sriracha Sauce (1 tbsp): Delivers the perfect spicy kick.
- Granulated Sugar (¼ cup): Balances out the heat and acidity with sweetness.
- Fresh Garlic (2 oz, minced): Intensifies flavor with savory warmth.
- Crushed Red Chili Flakes (¼ tsp): Adds extra heat and texture to the sauce.
How to Make Cheesecake Factory’s Spicy Cashew Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Seasoned Rice Flour
Start by combining the rice flour, kosher salt, ground black pepper, paprika, and baking powder in a medium bowl. This seasoned mixture is what gives your chicken that irresistible outer layer with flavor-infused crispiness. Set it aside for the next steps.
Step 2: Create the Rice Flour Batter
In another bowl, mix rice flour, all-purpose flour, kosher salt, black pepper, and ice water. The key here is using ice water to keep the batter cold, which helps achieve that light and crunchy texture in the final fried chicken. Keep this batter chilled as you continue preparing.
Step 3: Whip Up the Spicy Soy-Sherry Sauce
In a separate bowl, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, your choice of apple cider vinegar or white grape juice, rice vinegar, sriracha sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and crushed red chili flakes. Stir everything until it’s perfectly blended. This sauce is the heart of the dish, delivering a sensational balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors that cling beautifully to every bite of chicken.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken to Golden Perfection
Take your bite-sized chicken pieces and toss them thoroughly in the seasoned rice flour. Next, dip each piece into the cold batter, allowing it to coat evenly. Heat your oil in a pan until hot and fry the chicken pieces for about 3 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden and delightfully crispy. This double coating method ensures the chicken is juicy inside with an irresistible crunch outside.
Step 5: Combine Sauce, Cashews, and Green Onions
Once your chicken is cooked, add the spicy soy-sherry sauce, cashews, and green onions directly into the pan. Toss everything together over medium heat for about a minute or until the sauce thickens and glazes the chicken and cashews perfectly. The combination of nutty cashews with spicy, savory sauce melts into a mouthwatering harmony with the chicken.
Step 6: Final Touch and Serve
For an extra touch of elegance, feel free to sprinkle on some sesame seeds and finely chopped parsley as garnish. Serve your freshly cooked Cheesecake Factory’s Spicy Cashew Chicken Recipe immediately to enjoy the warmth, crunch, and vibrant flavors at their peak.
How to Serve Cheesecake Factory’s Spicy Cashew Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate the presentation and add an extra layer of texture, garnish your dish with toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped parsley or cilantro. These quick add-ons provide a hint of color and a subtle nutty aroma that complements the spicy cashew chicken beautifully.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice or fluffy brown rice, which soaks up the spicy soy-sherry sauce perfectly. For a lighter option, serve alongside stir-fried vegetables or a crisp Asian slaw to balance the richness of the chicken with fresh, crunchy greens.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the chicken family-style on a large platter piled high, letting the colors and textures invite everyone to dive in. Alternatively, spoon portions over individual bowls of rice with extra sauce on the side for a restaurant-inspired touch. Wrapping the chicken and sauce in butter lettuce leaves makes for a fun, hands-on eating experience that’s both fresh and satisfying.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The chicken will retain much of its savory flavor, though the crispiness will soften, making it ideal for reheating rather than eating cold.
Freezing
If you want to save the dish for longer, freeze the chicken in a well-sealed container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. It’s best to freeze the chicken and sauce separately if possible to maintain texture and freshness upon reheating.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to help revive some crispness without drying out the meat. Add a splash of water or sauce to keep it moist, and stir frequently until warmed through. Avoid microwaving if you want to preserve the crispy exterior.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of nut instead of cashews?
Absolutely! While cashews offer a buttery crunch that pairs perfectly with this recipe, you can substitute with almonds or peanuts. Just be sure to choose unsalted nuts to control the dish’s overall saltiness.
Is this recipe very spicy?
The Cheesecake Factory’s Spicy Cashew Chicken Recipe has a pleasant heat balanced by sweetness and tang. If you prefer it milder, simply reduce the sriracha and crushed red chili flakes to suit your taste.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free hoisin and soy sauces, and ensure your flours are certified gluten-free varieties. Rice flour is naturally gluten-free and plays a big role in this dish’s signature crispiness.
What is the best way to cut the chicken for this recipe?
Cutting the chicken into bite-sized, even chunks ensures they cook quickly and uniformly. Aim for pieces about 1 to 1 ½ inches so every bite is tender and well-coated.
Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
Definitely! The spicy soy-sherry sauce can be mixed up to 2 days ahead and stored in the fridge. This makes the cooking process quicker and the flavors even more melded.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly satisfying about recreating a dish like the Cheesecake Factory’s Spicy Cashew Chicken Recipe in your own kitchen — the aromas filling your home, the crispy chicken, and the exciting flavor balance make every moment worthwhile. Once you try this recipe, it’s likely to become one of your all-time favorites, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a little spicy indulgence any night of the week.
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Cheesecake Factory’s Spicy Cashew Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-American
Description
Cheesecake Factory’s Spicy Cashew Chicken is a flavorful, crispy fried chicken dish coated in a seasoned rice flour batter and tossed in a spicy soy-sherry sauce with crunchy cashews and fresh green onions. This recipe offers a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and crunch, making it an ideal main course for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 8 oz cashews
- 6 green onions, cut into ¼-inch pieces
- ⅓ cup canola or vegetable oil
Seasoned Rice Flour
- ¾ cup rice flour
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- ⅛ tsp paprika
- ⅛ tsp baking powder
Rice Flour Batter
- 1 ½ cups rice flour
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 ½ cups ice water
Spicy Soy-Sherry Sauce
- 1 cup hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar or white grape juice
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 oz fresh garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp crushed red chili flakes
Instructions
- Make the Seasoned Rice Flour: In a bowl, mix rice flour, kosher salt, ground black pepper, paprika, and baking powder thoroughly to create the seasoned rice flour for coating the chicken.
- Make the Rice Flour Batter: In a separate mixing bowl, combine rice flour, all-purpose flour, kosher salt, ground black pepper, and ice water. Stir until smooth and keep the batter cold by refrigerating or placing the bowl over ice while preparing other ingredients.
- Prepare the Spicy Soy-Sherry Sauce: In another bowl, mix together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar (or white grape juice), rice vinegar, sriracha sauce, granulated sugar, minced garlic, and crushed red chili flakes. Stir well to combine all the flavors into a spicy, tangy sauce.
- Cook the Chicken: Toss the bite-sized chicken pieces thoroughly in the seasoned rice flour. Then dip each piece into the cold rice flour batter, ensuring an even coating. Heat canola oil in a large skillet or deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the battered chicken pieces for about 3 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels briefly.
- Add Sauce and Cashews: To the pan used for frying, return the crispy chicken pieces over medium heat. Add the prepared spicy soy-sherry sauce, cashews, and chopped green onions. Toss and stir to coat the chicken evenly and cook together for about 1 minute until the sauce thickens and clings to the chicken.
- Serve: Transfer the spicy cashew chicken to a serving dish. Optionally garnish with toasted sesame seeds and fresh parsley for extra flavor and presentation. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- Keep the rice flour batter cold to ensure a light and crispy coating when fried.
- Use fresh garlic and green onions for the best flavor impact in the sauce and garnish.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha and red chili flakes to control the spiciness level according to your taste preference.
- Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F (175°C) for ideal frying results.
- Serve this dish immediately as the coating will lose crispness if it sits too long.
- You can substitute cashews with peanuts for a different nutty flavor.
