Pro Tips

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**

- Filipino dishes are built on balance — taste your sauce before serving and add a pinch of sugar or a splash of vinegar if something feels off.

- Let meats rest after cooking so the juices redistribute for a more tender result.

- Sauté aromatics (garlic, onion) until fragrant before adding liquids — it builds a deeper flavor base.

Cooking Tips

For maximum flavor, season the chicken at least 30 minutes before cooking — ideally overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the marinade to penetrate beyond the surface. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness: 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the breast, away from the bone.

Ingredient Substitutions

Chicken alternatives: Pork shoulder or boneless thigh meat can substitute for chicken in stews. For lighter fare, extra-firm tofu or seitan works in stir-fries and braises. Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.

Cashew Chicken

Cashew Chicken

Metro Manila, NCR

Cashew Chicken — a Filipino chicken dish with local spices and herbs. A comforting meal passed down through generations.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 25 min Total: 30 min Hard Serves 4

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, season chicken with salt and pepper. Add cornstarch and stir to coat meat thoroughly. Marinate for about 20 minutes.
  2. Mix water, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine, sugar, and pepper to taste. Stir until well-blended and sugar is dissolved.
  3. In a wide, heavy-bottomed pan or wok over medium-high heat, heat one tablespoon of oil. Add snow peas and cook for about 20 to 30 seconds or until tender-crisp. Take them out of the pan and drain on paper towels.
  4. Add another tablespoon of oil as needed. Add chicken and cook, occasionally stirring, for until it gets lightly browned and fully cooked.
  5. Add onions and garlic and Keep cooking for about 1 to 2 minutes.
  6. Add sauce mixture to pan, stirring to combine. Bring it to a simmer until it begins to thicken.
  7. Mix in cashews and snow peas. Keep cooking for about 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through.
  8. Take off from pan and Transfer it to serving platter. Garnish with additional cashews, if desired. Serve while hot.

Kitchen Tools We Recommend

Cook Cashew Chicken the easy way with the right tools. Shop our favorite kitchen essentials on Amazon — from reliable pots and pans to measuring tools that make Filipino cooking simpler.

🔥 Trending on Amazon right now — these products are selling fast. Check out what's climbing the charts.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**
- Filipino dishes are built on balance — taste your sauce before serving and add a pinch of sugar or a splash of vinegar if something feels off.
- Let meats rest after cooking so the juices redistribute for a more tender result.
- Sauté aromatics (garlic, onion) until fragrant before adding liquids — it builds a deeper flavor base.

Cooking Tips

For maximum flavor, season the chicken at least 30 minutes before cooking — ideally overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the marinade to penetrate beyond the surface.
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness: 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the breast, away from the bone.

Substitutions

Chicken alternatives: Pork shoulder or boneless thigh meat can substitute for chicken in stews. For lighter fare, extra-firm tofu or seitan works in stir-fries and braises.
Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
E

Nanay Elena

Comfort Food

Every recipe Nanay Elena shares is a piece of family history from her kitchen in Iloilo.

Comments (0)

Leave a comment