A simple cashew chicken stir fry packed with veggies, sprinkled with cashews, and tossed in a sticky maple ginger stir fry sauce. Works great for an easy weeknight dinner or for meal prep.
In search of a simple, tasty, stir fry recipe to mix up your routine? This maple ginger chicken stir fry is the one, friend.
With a sweet, sticky stir fry sauce, and crunchy cashews, what’s not to love?!
This reader favorite stir fry makes a delicious and easy weeknight dinner, but also works amazingly well for meal prep. It was actually a recipe in one our Meal Prep Challenges!
Not only is it easy to prepare, but extremely flexible. You could make it vegetarian, or swap for what you have in your fridge. Let’s discuss!
Reasons you’ll ♡ maple ginger cashew chicken stir fry
- it’s simple to prepare and can be ready in under 30 minutes
- you can swap the veggies for what you have in the fridge
- it works great for meal prep
Stir fry video
Watch the video below to see exactly how I prepped this stir fry. It’s so easy! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel, or on Facebook
Don’t forget to pin this post to save it for later!
Let’s talk ingredients
- chicken– I used boneless skinless chicken breasts, but thighs would work as well. For a tasty vegetarian option, press and sautee some cubed tofu. Follow the method in this post!
- cashews– I used salted, roasted cashews. If you have raw cashews, you might want to take some time to toast them first.
- aromatics– onion, garlic and ginger build the flavors up in this stir fry!
- veggies– I used a mixture of broccoli and red pepper. You can use pretty much any veggie in this stir fry- bagged stir fry mix is a great shortcut!
- maple ginger sauce– maple syrup, reduced sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, red pepper flakes and a bit of cornstarch to thicken. So simple!
Wondering what to serve with stir fry?
- rice- see how to cook perfect, fluffy rice
- brown rice- see how to cook perfect, fluffy brown rice
- cauliflower rice- see how to make cauliflower rice
- zucchini noodles- see how to cook zucchini noodles
Want to switch your sauce up? Check out this post with 7 Stir Fry Sauce Recipes!
Tips for the perfect stir fry
- get organized– I like to have all my veggies + chicken chopped and my stir fry sauce shaken up before I start cooking.
- meal prep– this recipe works for meal prep in two different ways:
- prep ahead but don’t cook– (3-5 days ahead; depends on the dates on your chicken) chop your veggies and chicken, shake up your sauce. This will save valuable time when you go to cook up your dinner.
- cook ahead– cook your stir fry, portion out with rice and store in the fridge (up to 4 days) or the freezer (up to 3 months). Note that your cashews won’t stay crispy unless you keep them separate.
- storage– after cooking, this recipe can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- cashews– if you are looking for that crunch factor from your cashews, add them fresh to your stir fry.
More stir fry recipes
- Easy Sweet Chili Shrimp Stir Fry
- Peanut Ginger Tofu Stir Fry
- Lemon Sesame Chicken Stir Fry
- Honey Sriracha Chicken Stir Fry
- Instant Pot Coconut Sweet Chili Stir Fry
This post was originally published in 2015. It has been republished in 2020 with fresh photos and a new video. Same great recipe!
Maple Ginger Cashew Chicken Stir Fry (30 Minutes)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1 inch cubes)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons ginger (finely grated)
- 1 bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 head broccoli (small head, cut into 1 inch florets)
- 1/3 cup cashews
Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce (swap for tamari for gluten-free)
- 5 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon corn starch (or 1/2 tablespoon arrowroot starch)
To serve:
- Rice
Instructions
- Shake together the stir fry sauce and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in a frying pan.
- Add the onion to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, until onion is soft.
- Add the bell peppers and broccoli, and cook for 5 more minutes or until softened. Transfer veggies to a clean plate.
- Add the reserved 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan. Add chicken and cook for 7-10 minutes, until cooked through and no longer pink in the middle.
- Make a space in the pan and add the garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring occasionally for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the stir fry sauce to the pan. Cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vegetables and cashews.
- Serve over rice.
Storage
- This recipe makes a great meal prep lunch. Store in 2 cup capacity meal prep containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Brittney Jacobs
Can you do this in the instant pot?
Denise Bustard
Hi Brittney! Unfortunately, I don’t think that there are enough liquids in this recipe to bring your pot to pressure. Here’s a good ‘stir fry’ style recipe for the Instant Pot if you’re looking for one! https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/instant-pot-honey-sesame-chicken-breast-video/
Karen
Easy and delicious – will definitely make again!
Denise
So happy to hear you enjoyed, Karen! Thank you for coming back to leave a review!
Dana
Made the Maple Ginger Chicken Stir-fry tonight. It was so easy and delish!! The hubby had seconds and said it was a keeper!! Thank you so much and looking forward to trying more of your recipe.
Denise
I’m so happy you liked it, Dana! Thanks for reporting back 🙂
Amber W
Is there a substitute for sesame oil?
Denise
Hi Amber, I’ve only ever made this sauce as written so I’m not sure how it would taste without the sesame oil. I think it might lose some of it’s dimension.
Lori VanDamme
would maple falvor extract work in place of the maple syrup?? I am trying to cut down on my sugar intake?
Denise
Hi Lori! I can’t say for sure. The sweetness from the maple syrup balances the saltiness of the soy sauce, and I think the whole thing would be a bit boring without the sweet part. But I had considered adding some maple extract to increase the maple flavors. Let me know if you try it!
Melanie
I finally made this recipe, after getting tired of Christmas leftovers. A great combination of sweet, salty and spicy. Even my toddler loved the flavours! 🙂
Denise
I’m so glad to hear that, Melanie! My toddler needs to take some notes from your toddler 😉
Melanie
My toddler only ate the rice and sauce. Nevertheless, a win!!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life
Your weeknight meal schedule sounds familiar…although I don’t start out ambitious at all haha. Anything made from scratch is good enough for me! I need this stir fry in my life!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane
Enjoyed this post, Denise, because that is SO me too … every single week. Sometimes I wonder what kind of a food blogger I am if I can’t even come up with a half decent dinner, but I’m happy (sorry!) it isn’t just me!!!
LOVE this stir fry, and totally agree that bagged veggies are the way to go. Why not?
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel
Haha, That sounds like my EVERY day! I’ve been doing so much Christmas baking lately, there is no energy left for dinner time prep. Definitely keeping this one on the list!
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat
What a yummy and healthy dinner idea! I love making stirfry’s. They are so simple, and your’s looks amazing!
[email protected]
Stir fries are the best for busy weeknight meals! Love that you used maple syrup in the sauce!
Kelly
Haha you totally nailed it, Denise! Except for Monday – I am NOT ambitious at all and it probably mimics how Friday looks 🙂 This stir-fry is perfect for those busy weeknights! It looks incredible!!!
Kristine | Kristine's Kitchen
Your weekly meal plan sounds just like mine! It actually has a lot to do with the fact that I teach Wednesday through Friday, so easy meals are a must on those days! This stir-fry is my kind of dinner. The sauce sounds amazing with the maple syrup!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy
This chicken stir fry sounds fantastic! Love the idea of adding maple syrup. Genius!
Denise
Thanks, Kelley! I love maple syrup-everything 😉
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel
Yes!! This looks so delicious! I love a good veggie-packed meal, and quick ‘n easy ones are even better. Love 30 Min Thurs!
Denise
Me too! 30 minutes is the MOST I will spend on dinner most nights 😉 Thanks, Jess!
Izzy @ she likes food
Ha, I feel like I am hardly ever ambitious with dinner! Maybe on Saturday or Sunday when I have all day to cook! Friday is definitely pizza night though 🙂 That maple ginger sauce sounds amazing!
Denise
I *may* have embellished the whole Monday scenario a little 😉 Thanks, Izzy!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze
Haha I love your week of cooking. You’re better than me though cause by Wednesday I would be ordering pizza already. 🙂 I’m so bad, if we have nothing and I hate leftovers then we eat out. This stir fry looks so fresh and delicious. I need to add this to my menu asap. I love that sauce…Mmmm
Denise
Hahah! I am definitely thinking about it by Wednesday 😉 Thanks, Cyndi!
Rachel @ Bakerita
I SO love this, Denise! So simple and delicious. This is a perfect Thursday night dinner 🙂
Denise
Thank-you, Rachel! Simple is how I roll 😉
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.
That made me laugh! My weeks are totally like that. I’m so ambitious at the beginning of the week, and by the end I wonder if I even like cooking because I’m searching for something I can just heat up, or we’re eating sandwiches! Oh well, that’s the way it goes. This stir fry looks amazing, love that sauce!
Denise
Glad I’m not alone 😉 Thanks, Stacey!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
Stirfry is my go-to meal: so easy, but so delicious! Love the maple ginger flavors here 🙂
Denise
Thanks, Medha! We love stir fry too!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Hahaha! My weekly dinners go EXACTLY like that… just throw a few nights of popcorn into the mix. 😉 I love stir frys because they are easy and a great way to use up extra veggies I have chillin’ in the fridge. Your stir fry looks delish, girlfriend! LOVE LOVE LOVE the maple ginger sauce and the addition of cashews (my fav). This is a perfect 30 minute meal! Pinned! Cheers!
marcie
My weeks often sound like that! Sometimes I’m ready to order pizza by Weds. 🙂 This meal sounds delicious, and I love that you used maple syrup in the sauce! Can’t wait to try it. 🙂
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C
You always make me laugh, Denise! I love the nights I don’t have to cook. 🙂 Thanks for reminding me how quick and easy a stir fry meal is. I used to make them all the time, but it’s been years. I love the addition of maple syrup here.
Denise
We used to make them way more often, too, I’m glad to have another one in rotation. Thanks, Andrea 🙂
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
You totally hit the nail on the head with my typical week. I always have such high hopes in the beginning. And then it’s just a downward spiral. Ha ha. This stir fry looks delicious. I love all the flavors here. I mean, maple anything is near and dear to my heart! 🙂
Denise
Ha ha! Well we can rest easy, because tomorrow is officially pizza night 😉 Thanks, Liz!
Nora | Savory Nothings
Hahaha, totally agree! I definitely get less and less ambitious to cook as the week progresses! Love this stir-fry, Denise! I often “cheat” with pre-cut stir-fry veggies as well, such a simple and easy way to have a healthy dinner!
Denise
I find with stir fries, the prep is a bit labor intensive sometimes! Love using a quick short cut 😉 Thanks, Nora!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven
Haha! That’s about the gist of of my weekday dinnertime in a nutshell. LOL. My family is ALL about the stir-fry in this house, so I have a feeling this winner would go over very well over here!
Denise
I forgot how much I love stir fry! We need to make this a more frequent thing! Thanks, Sarah!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
I usually save my ambitious cooking for the weekends and make easy dishes during the week! This stir fry looks delicious, Denise! I love the maple and ginger combo, so flavorful!
Denise
True, I am normally pretty ambitious on a Saturday afternoon. But I am definitely NOT ambitious on a Thursday night! Thanks, Gayle!