Basil Cashew Chicken

Basil grows so easily here and is incredibly easy to propagate so it’s fun to find new ways to use it. Don’t get me wrong, I love pizza and pasta but you need to mix it up. This would be ah-mazing with Thai basil but I used regular sweet basil and it tastes great!

Things to note: I like my broccoli still bright green and a little crunchy when it comes to stir fry so the sauce doesn’t completely wilt it. If you like it a little more done, keep steaming it for longer than my 5 minute recommendation.

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Basil Cashew Chicken

2 servings

• 6 chicken thighs

• 1 bell pepper (red or orange)

• 1/2 bunch green onion

• 1/3 cup fresh basil

• 1/2 yellow onion

• 2 tsp olive oil

• 2 cloves minced garlic

• 1 red chili pepper

• 1 TBS fish sauce

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil

• 3/4 tsp ground ginger

• 1/4 tsp white pepper

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 2 TBS corn starch

• 1 crown broccoli

• 1/2 cup cashew halves, slightly salted

Tools: deep sided skillet

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1. Chop chicken into bite sized pieces, toss in cornstarch and set aside

2. Slice 1/2 onion into strips. Mince 2 cloves garlic. Slice 1 red chili pepper. Cut bell pepper in strips. Chop the broccoli into bite sized pieces. Slice the green onion and basil

3. Add 2 tsp of olive oil to a deep skillet over medium heat

4. Add the onion and chili pepper, cooking for 5 minutes

5. Add the bell pepper slices and garlic along with a sprinkle of salt, turning the heat down to med-low

6. Set onion and pepper mixture aside when tender.

7. Add a little more oil, if needed to the pan, and turn up to med-high heat. Add the chicken, tossing frequently for 8 minutes or until all sides are white

8. While chicken cooks, mix the sauce: fish sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, salt and pepper

9. Add the sauce to the chicken, turning down the heat to low and cooking for 5 minutes while stirring. The sauce will start to thicken. The chicken should be fully cooked at this point, feel free to pull out a piece to confirm.

10. Add in the onion and pepper mix, stirring into the chicken and sauce.

11. Top with the broccoli and then cover, letting the broccoli steam on top of the rest for about 5 minutes.

12. Remove from heat, mix in all the basil and half of the green onion.

13. Serve immediately topping with the remaining fresh onion (jasmine or cauliflower rice or noodles are a great side)

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