Sharing is caring!

This Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken is tender, flavorful, and coated in a sweet and savory sauce with crunchy cashews and bell peppers. It’s an easy crockpot dinner that tastes even better than takeout and is perfect served over rice.

We are obsessed with this Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken! Skip the take out and make this classic right at home in your slow cooker! The chicken comes out perfectly tender and cooks up in a sweet savory sauce with red bell pepper and the star of the show cashews! The sauce thickens up beautifully and is glazes the chicken and is delicious over rice. This dinner is such a crowd pleaser.

There is nothing I love more than take out on a busy night!  Then I found out I could make our favorite take out chicken in the slow cooker.

I can just throw everything in the slow cooker and have a delicious meal better than take out in no time!

A quick fry in the skillet to get the chicken crispy and then the chicken and sauce goes in the slow cooker with some red bell pepper and cashews and cooks up to perfection! 

The sauce gets nice a thick and sticky and glazy.  The chicken gets ridiculously melt in your mouth tender.  The cashews get soft and creamy.  This dinner is perfect over a bed of white rice.

And let me tell you, just like takeout this makes for some incredible leftovers.  This chicken is a crowd pleaser and really family friendly.  

But I’ll be honest, once I started making it at home like this, we stopped ordering it almost completely.

This Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken is one of those recipes that gives you that same takeout flavor, but it’s made with simple ingredients and way less effort than you’d think. You get that sweet, savory, slightly sticky sauce, tender chicken, and those cashews that soak up all the flavor as they cook.

The first time I made this, I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it was. I figured it would be “close enough” to takeout, but it actually ended up better.

There’s something about letting everything cook together in the slow cooker that just works. The sauce thickens, the chicken gets incredibly tender, and everything just comes together in a way that feels like you put in way more effort than you actually did.

I do like to give the chicken a quick sear before it goes in the slow cooker. It only takes a few minutes, but it adds a little texture and helps the sauce cling to the chicken better.

And by the time dinner rolls around, it’s one of those meals that feels like a win. It’s easy, it smells amazing, and it’s something everyone actually wants to eat.

What Is Cashew Chicken?

Cashew Chicken is a popular takeout-style dish made with tender chicken pieces, a sweet and savory sauce, vegetables, and cashews.

This slow cooker version keeps all the classic flavors but simplifies the process by letting everything cook together in the crockpot, creating a rich, flavorful sauce that coats every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Better than takeout at home
• Easy slow cooker dinner
• Sweet and savory flavor
• Family-friendly
• Great for busy weeknights
• Perfect for leftovers

When To Serve This Recipe

This recipe is perfect for:

• Weeknight dinners
• Meal prep
• Takeout-style nights at home
• Busy days when you need easy meals
• Family dinners

My favorite slow cooker for this recipe is this Hamilton Beach one.

FAQs

Can I skip browning the chicken first?

Yes, you can skip this step if you’re short on time, and the recipe will still turn out good. However, browning the chicken first adds extra flavor and helps give the chicken a better texture. It also helps the sauce cling to the chicken more instead of being thinner.

Can I use frozen chicken in the slow cooker?

It’s best to thaw the chicken first before adding it to the slow cooker. This ensures it cooks evenly and safely. Using frozen chicken can lead to uneven cooking and a thinner sauce.

Why does the sauce thicken in the slow cooker?

The cornstarch on the chicken helps naturally thicken the sauce as it cooks. Combined with the sugar and slow cooking process, the sauce becomes thick, glossy, and coats the chicken perfectly.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, this recipe works really well for meal prep. You can make it ahead and store it in the fridge, then reheat it when needed. The flavors actually get even better after sitting for a bit.

What vegetables can I add to this recipe?

You can easily add vegetables like broccoli, carrots, snap peas, or even mushrooms. Just keep in mind that softer vegetables should be added later in the cooking process so they don’t become too soft.

Ingredients used

● Chicken tenderloins- I like using these because they get nice and tender.
● Cornstarch- these are for lightly coating the chicken and crisping up the chicken.
● Vegetable oil- for frying the chicken, you can also use canola or peanut.
● Red bell pepper- this adds color and sweetness.
● Lite or low sodium soy sauce- I always use low sodium soy sauce to cut down on saltiness
● Ketchup- this helps create a base for the sauce
● Brown sugar- this give the dish sweetness and helps glaze the chicken
● Garlic- minced fresh garlic is best but you could always use garlic powder
● Black pepper- for flavor
● Ginger- you can grate in a little fresh instead of the powder
● Red pepper flakes- for a little kick, add more if you prefer
● Sesame seeds- these add a little flavor and look great as a garnish
● Cashews- the star of the show.  I use roasted ones.
● Scallions- I garnish with these at the end and they add color and flavor.

How To Make Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss with cornstarch.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Brown the chicken quickly on all sides (it does not need to cook through).
4. Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker.
5. Add the chopped red bell pepper.
6. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, garlic, black pepper, ginger, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds.
7. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
8. Add the cashews and gently stir to combine.
9. Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours until the chicken is tender.
10. Garnish with scallions and serve over rice.

Substitutions

Chicken tenderloins → chicken breast or thighs
Soy sauce → coconut aminos
Brown sugar → honey
Cashews → peanuts or almonds

Variations

Spicy Cashew Chicken
Add extra red pepper flakes or chili sauce.

Vegetable Loaded Version
Add broccoli, carrots, or snow peas.

Garlic Lover’s Version
Add extra garlic or garlic sauce.

Low-Carb Option
Serve over cauliflower rice.

Tips & Tricks 

Sear the chicken first for better texture.

Use low sodium soy sauce to control saltiness.

Don’t overcook, chicken stays best at 3–4 hours.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheat in the microwave or skillet.

Freeze for up to 2 months.

Serving Ideas

Serve this with:

• White rice
• Fried rice
• Noodles
• Steamed vegetables
• Egg rolls
  

  If you love this slow cooker cashew chicken, here are some more easy, takeout-style slow cooker recipes packed with bold, sweet and savory flavor that are perfect for busy nights and skipping the takeout line!

  • Slow Cooker Beef Ramen — Tender beef simmered in a rich, savory broth with noodles for an easy, comforting meal that tastes just like your favorite takeout ramen at home.
  • Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles — Sweet and savory chicken cooked in a sticky honey garlic sauce and tossed with noodles for a simple, flavor-packed dinner everyone will love.
  • Slow Cooker Korean Meatballs — Juicy meatballs slow cooked in a bold, sweet and savory Korean-style sauce, perfect served over rice or as an easy appetizer.
  • Slow Cooker Teriyaki Beef — Tender beef simmered in a rich teriyaki sauce with that classic sweet and savory flavor, making it perfect for serving over rice for a quick takeout-style meal.
  • Slow Cooker Chinese Pork Chops — Juicy pork chops cooked in a sweet and savory sauce with classic Chinese-inspired flavors, making an easy, satisfying dinner.

Continue to Content

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

We are obsessed with this Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken! Skip the take out and make this classic right at home in your slow cooker! The chicken comes out perfectly tender and cooks up in a sweet savory sauce with red bell pepper and the star of the show cashews! The sauce thickens up beautifully and is glazes the chicken and is delicious over rice. This dinner is such a crowd pleaser.

Print

Ingredients

• ● 2 pounds chicken tenderloins, cut into bite size pieces
• ● 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• ● 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ● 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• ● 1 cup lite or low sodium soy sauce
• ● ½ cup ketchup
• ● 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• ● 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• ● ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ● ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ● ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ● 1 teaspoon sesame seeds plus ore for garnish
• ● 1 cup cashews
• ● 3 scallions, sliced

Instructions

1. Coat your chicken pieces in cornstarch.
2. Heat up the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
3. Brown the chicken quickly in the pan. We are not looking to cook
the chicken through, just get a little color on each side.
4. Place the browned chicken in the slow cooker.
5. Add the chopped red bell pepper.
6. In a mixing bowl combine the soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar,
garlic, pepper, ginger, red pepper flakes and sesame seeds.
7. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
8. Add the cashews and stir everything to combine.
9. Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours.
10. Garnish with the scallions and a sprinkle of sesame

Notes

● Store leftovers in an airight container for up to 3 days.

● You can wait and add the cashews right before serving if you prefer them a little crunchier.

● You can add more red pepper flakes or some sriracha for a spicy kick.
● You can substitute chicken thighs for the tenderloins.

This Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken is one of those recipes that makes life easier without sacrificing flavor. It’s simple, reliable, and one of those dinners that everyone is happy to eat.

And once you realize how easy it is to make your favorite takeout-style meals at home, it’s hard to go back.