Cashew Chicken with Water Chestnuts

Ingredients and Weight:

• Chicken breast: 1 pound, cut into bite-size pieces
• Cashews: 1 cup
• Water chestnuts: 1 can (14 ounces), drained and sliced
• Celery: 1 cup, chopped
• Onion: 1/2 cup, chopped
• Pineapple chunks: 1 cup, canned in juice
• Soy sauce: 1/4 cup
• Brown sugar: 1/4 cup
• Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons
• Water: 1/4 cup
• Vegetable oil: 2 tablespoons

Preparation Time:

• 15 minutes

Cooking Time:

• 15-20 minutes

Difficulty Level:

• 2 (Moderate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. In a bowl, combine the chicken, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Mix well and marinate for at least 15 minutes.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Dredge the chicken in cornstarch and shake off any excess.
4. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown on all sides.
5. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
6. Add the celery, onion, and water chestnuts to the skillet and sauté until tender.
7. Add the pineapple chunks, cashews, and chicken back to the skillet.
8. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to form a slurry.
9. Add the slurry to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 300 per serving
• Fat: 10 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Protein: 25 g

Dish Characteristics:

• Asian-inspired, sweet and savory flavors
• Tender chicken with a crispy coating
• Crunchy water chestnuts and cashews
• A colorful and visually appealing dish

User Comments:

• "This dish is a perfect balance of sweet and savory. The chicken is tender and the sauce is flavorful."
• "I'm not usually a fan of cashews, but they added a nice touch to this dish."
• "The water chestnuts give the dish a unique crunch that I really enjoyed."
• "This dish is easy to make and adaptable to different dietary needs (e.g., gluten-free or low-carb)."
• "I will definitely be making this again. It's a crowd-pleaser."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you don't have time to marinate the chicken, you can skip this step. However, marinating will help to tenderize the chicken and enhance the flavor.
• If you don't have cornstarch, you can substitute flour.
• Serve the dish over rice or noodles for a complete meal.
• Garnish with chopped green onions for a pop of color and flavor.