Cashew Chicken Meatballs Recipe: Easy & Delicious

Are you ready to spice up your dinner routine? These Cashew Chicken Meatballs are a fun twist on a classic dish that packs tons of flavor! With juicy meatballs coated in a savory sauce and crunchy cashews, your taste buds are in for a treat! Let’s dive into this delightful recipe together!

Ingredients for Cashew Chicken Meatballs

Making Cashew Chicken Meatballs is a fun and tasty adventure! Before we start concocting these delicious bites, let’s gather our main ingredients. Don’t worry; it’s not a long list! You probably have most of these at home already!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 500g (1 lb) ground chicken: This is the star of our meatballs! You can also use turkey or pork if you prefer.
• 1 egg: This helps bind everything together, making the meatballs nice and fluffy!
• 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs: These add a delightful crunch and texture. It’s like a crispy hug for our meatballs!
• 2 cloves garlic, minced: Because garlic makes everything better, doesn’t it?
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Just the right amount to bring out the flavors!
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper: This adds a gentle kick. You can substitute with black pepper if you like.
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil (or vegetable oil): For cooking those meatballs to golden perfection!
• 1 small onion, sliced: This will add a sweet, savory goodness to our stir-fry.
• 1 green capsicum (bell pepper), chopped: It gives a lovely pop of color and crunch.
• 1 cup unsalted cashews: The best part! They add a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor.

For the savory sauce, gather:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce: Your choice of ordinary or light.
• 1/4 cup Chinese cooking wine: Optional but highly recommended for that authentic taste! If you can’t find it, dry sherry works too!
• 1/4 cup oyster sauce: This brings a rich umami flavor.
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil: For that tasty, aromatic finish.
• 1 tablespoon cornflour/cornstarch: This helps thicken our sauce!

Got everything? Awesome! We’re on our way to making some delightful meatballs that you and your family will adore! Get ready to cook up a storm! 🎉

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Meatballs

Now that we have our ingredients ready, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get cooking! Making Cashew Chicken Meatballs is easy and fun, so let’s jump right into the process!

Here’s how to make them:

1. Prepare the Sauce: Grab a jar and combine the soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Shake it up well! Take about 2 teaspoons of this sauce and set it aside for later. Add cornflour/cornstarch to the jar, shake again, and keep it for later as well.

1. Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, minced garlic, egg, panko breadcrumbs, salt, and white pepper. Use your hands to combine it all gently. I promise it’s messy but oh-so-fun! If the mixture feels too sticky, just pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes to firm up a bit.

1. Form the Meatballs: Grab a heaped tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Don’t worry about making them perfect; they’ll taste great either way!

1. Cook the Meatballs: Heat peanut oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add your meatballs to the skillet and cook them until they are golden brown on all sides. This should take about 4 minutes. They don’t need to be fully cooked yet because they’ll get more time later!

1. Sauté the Veggies: Remove the meatballs and add the sliced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook them for about a minute. Then, toss in the chopped green capsicum and cook for another minute.

1. Combine Everything: Pour in the sauce mixture and water, mixing it all together. Now, add the meatballs back into the skillet and let them simmer for about 3-4 minutes. The sauce should thicken and cover the meatballs beautifully!

And there you have it! Your meatballs are ready to shine in their savory glory! Trust me, the aroma in your kitchen will be irresistible! Enjoy every bite! 🍽️

Savory Sauce Recipe for Cashew Chicken

What makes Cashew Chicken Meatballs truly unforgettable is the savory sauce that brings everything together! This sauce is not just any ordinary sauce; it’s packed with flavor and gives our meatballs a delicious twist that you’ll love. Let’s whip it up!

Here’s what you’ll need for the sauce:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce: This is the base of our sauce. It adds that salty, umami flavor we all crave!
• 1/4 cup Chinese cooking wine: This ingredient elevates the taste! If you can’t find it, don’t worry; dry sherry works just fine!
• 1/4 cup oyster sauce: This adds depth and richness. Seriously, you’re going to want to keep this on hand for other dishes too!
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil: It brings a delightful nutty aroma. Just a bit goes a long way for flavor!
• 1 tablespoon cornflour/cornstarch: This is our secret weapon for thickening the sauce!

Putting the Sauce Together:

1. Mix the ingredients: In a jar or bowl, combine the soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Give it a good shake or stir until everything is nicely blended!

1. Thicken it up: Next, add the cornflour to the jar and shake once more. This will help the sauce become thick and glossy while cooking.

1. Taste and adjust: As you stir the sauce into your meatballs, feel free to taste it! If you want a little more sweetness or heat, consider adding a dash of honey or some chili paste.

And there you go! You now have a savory sauce that will make your meatballs sing with flavor! Trust me, this sauce is going to be a game-changer in your kitchen!

Serving Suggestions and Variations

Now that your Cashew Chicken Meatballs are all cooked and sauced up, it’s time to serve them! But wait, how do we turn this delicious dish into a meal that everyone will love? Here are some of my favorite serving suggestions and fun variations!

Serving Ideas

• Serve over rice: My go-to choice! The sauce blends perfectly with fluffy white rice or even brown rice. You could also try it with fried rice for an extra kick!

• Make a wrap: Place the meatballs in a soft tortilla, add some veggies, and drizzle a bit of extra sauce. Roll it up, and you have a delightful wrap!

• Create a bowl: Start with a base of rice or quinoa, add your meatballs, some steamed veggies, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for decoration. It’s like a healthy version of a takeout bowl!

Fun Variations

• Switch up the protein: If you’re feeling adventurous, try using ground turkey or pork instead of chicken! Each option gives a unique taste.

• Add different veggies: You can mix in some broccoli, snap peas, or even carrots! The more, the merrier!

• Spice it up: Feeling bold? Add some chili flakes to the sauce or serve with a side of hot sauce for some extra heat!

With these serving suggestions and variations, your Cashew Chicken Meatballs will never get boring! Each meal can be a new experience! So, dig in and enjoy! 🎉