Updated on October 4th, 2025
On busy nights when you want something hearty but easy, this chicken and cashew pasta recipe is a dish that always works. Tender chicken is stir-fried and coated in a sauce made with soy sauce, hoisin, garlic, and a touch of chili for just the right spice. The linguini blends everything together, while the cashews add a satisfying crunch in every bite. It is quick to prepare, full of flavor, and perfect for both weeknights and family meals.
Why this recipe works
- Flavor combination: The mix of chicken, pasta, cashews, and savory sauce brings a balance of richness, nuttiness, and spice in every serving.
- Texture contrast: Tender chicken, soft pasta, and crunchy cashews work together to create variety in each bite, making the dish more enjoyable.
- Quick method: Stir-frying the chicken and cooking the sauce in one pan keeps the process simple while still delivering rich flavor.
- Adjustable spice: Using red chili flakes and chili garlic sauce lets you control the heat, making the pasta mild or spicy to match your taste.
- All-in-one meal: With protein, pasta, and nuts in one bowl, this recipe makes a complete dinner that doesn’t need extra sides.
Serving suggestions
- Family dinner: Serve the chicken and cashew pasta with a light salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal that everyone will enjoy.
- Themed menu: Pair this pasta with egg rolls or dumplings to create a full Asian-inspired dinner that feels complete and satisfying.
- Quick lunch: Pack portions into containers so you can enjoy a flavorful, filling lunch at work or school without needing to reheat much.
- Casual night: Make it the star of the table on busy weeknights since it is simple to prepare yet hearty enough to serve on its own.
- Dinner gathering: Plate the pasta in a large bowl, sprinkle extra cashews and green onions on top, and place it family style for sharing.
Chicken and cashew pasta recipe
Try this chicken and cashew pasta recipe made with stir-fried chicken, cashews, linguini, and a savory garlic soy sauce with a hint of spice.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (sliced into strips)
- 1 cup cashews
- 1/2 cup green onions (chopped)
- 1lb uncooked linguini pasta
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Sauce-
- 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup of soy sauce
- 1/4 cup sherry wine
- 1/8 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 5 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguini and cook according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine hoisin sauce, sherry wine, red wine vinegar, chili garlic sauce, minced garlic, and crushed red chili flakes. Add in the sugar and whisk until well combined.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced chicken and stir fry in batches until the chicken is fully cooked (the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees). Add more oil if needed between batches. Remove the chicken from the wok.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the wok and cook until it becomes bubbly and heated through. Add chicken to the wok, add cashews. Mix well and cook until heated through. Mix the chicken and sauce mixture with the cooked linguini. Add green onions and stir.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 857
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 1222.3 mg
- Fat: 25.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 127.6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 21.6 mg