Easy Keto Cashew Chicken - PSMF Recipe

This Easy Keto Cashew Chicken recipe is not only super tasty but can also easily be used on a protein-sparing modified fasting day. Once a quick trick (keep reading to find out what it is), this PSMF cashew chicken recipe turns out super moist...no dry chicken breast in this recipe!

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Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Cashew Chicken

In case you hadn't noticed, I have been experimenting with protein-sparing modified fasting as well as Carnivore and I absolutely love them both. However, finding high protein chicken recipes can be tough which means that I just had to figure out a way to create my own.

Enter PSMF Cashew Chicken recipe!

According to Wikipedia, the traditional version of cashew chicken is stir-fried in a wok. Tender chunks of chicken are combined with crispy roasted cashews, vegetables and are tossed in a light sauce made from garlic, soy sauce and Hoisin sauce, thinned with water.

Well, that sounds easy enough, right?

To make it PSMF approved, I had to make a couple of substitutions for some of the ingredients found in typical cashew chicken recipes.

The end results was nothing shy of amazing, thanks to one simple little trick...Velveting the chicken breasts!

What does Velveting Chicken mean?

Velveting chicken is a Chinese cooking technique used to achieve a tender and silky texture in chicken dishes. The process involves marinating the chicken pieces in a mixture of baking soda. This coating helps the chicken to retain moisture and stay tender when cooking over direct heat.

After the chicken has been tossed in baking soda and set to rest (30 minutes for cubed chicken and 20 minutes for sliced chicken, the chicken is rinsed off with water, a step known as "velveting." This seals in the juices and creates a smooth, velvety texture.

The chicken is then typically stir-fried with vegetables and sauces, resulting in a dish with tender, succulent chicken pieces. Velveting is a popular technique in Chinese cuisine and is often used for beef and other meats as well.

Keto Cashew Chicken Ingredients

You will only need a handful of ingredients to make this easy keto chicken recipe:

• Soy sauce - Nothing screams Chinese food like soy sauce! You can replace the soy sauce with coconut aminos for a gluten-free alternative but just remember that there are more carbs in coconut aminos than in soy sauce.
• Rice Vinegar - You can use apple cider vinegar instead or Shaoxing wine.
• Sesame Oil - Toasted sesame oil lends a TON of flavour to this dish. Use it sparingly for a PSMF recipe and liberally for a keto cashew chicken version.
• Chicken - You can use chicken breast meat (best for PSMF) or chicken thigh meat (best of keto)
• Garlic and Onion - If you have any Garlic Confit, I highly suggest using it. If not, any garlic will work. As for the onion, use any type of cooking onion.
• Green Onion - Adds a nice colour and a mild flavour to this easy keto chicken recipe
• Baking Soda - Used to velvet the chicken. Make sure to rinse the bakind soda OFF the chicken before using it in the recipe.
• Cashews - Use sparingly if making a PSMF cashew chicken recipe and liberally for a keto chicken recipe.

Easy Keto Chicken Recipe Instructions

You will not believe how easy this high protein chicken recipe comes together! Here are the steps to making this keto cashew chicken recipe:

Step 1: Tenderize the chicken

• Chop approximately 1 lb of chicken into 1-inch bites.  Toss in 1.5 teaspoon of baking soda and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.

• Rinse chicken under water and remove any excess water.

Step 2 - Marinate the chicken

• Combine the sauce ingredients and whisk to incorporate.
• Add 2 tablespoon of the sauce to the bowl with the chicken and let it sit for 10 minutes.

Step 3 - Cook the chicken

• Heat oil over high heat in a wok or heavy based skillet. Add the garlic and onion, cook for 1 minute.
• Add chicken and cook for 2 minutes.

Step 4 - Thicken the sauce

• Add the sauce and bring it to simmer and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until sauce thickens.
• Stir in the cashews, remove from stove and serve

More PSMF Recipes

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