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20 Minute Cashew Chicken Noodles. Chicken and cashews cooked in a sweet-spicy and tangy hoisin-based sauce, then tossed with ramen noodles. Serve this up simply with toasted sesame seeds. Oh, and fresh green onions too. Don’t overcomplicate it! The noodles and chicken are well-sauced, salty (in a wonderful way), tangy-sweet, and have just the right amount of spice.
I often ask my family what recipes sound good. Sometimes, I send a list, but sometimes, I want to know what they’re thinking! It’s a nice way to find new inspiration. Recently, I sent my list of ideas to a few people: Mom, brothers, and cousins! I wanted to hear what was on everyone’s mind and what was sounding yummiest.
A handful of recipes seemed to stand out to everyone, one of which was spicy cashew chicken.
Originally, I was thinking of making the chicken and simply serving it with rice, like I always do. But then I saw some ramen noodles, and I figured that not only would the noodles be different, but wow, they would be delicious, too!
I debated using beef or chicken, but chicken sounded best to me. That being said, I think a beef skirt steak would be awesome here, too!
No matter which beef you choose, these noodles will be delicious! My little sister Asher loved them most. She adores ramen!
These are the details
Ingredients – for the sauce
- hoisin sauce – I used my homemade sauce (notes section of the recipe card) for this; it was delish!
- tamari or soy sauce
- vinegar – tip: use the ginger brine from a jar of candied ginger if you have some in the fridge!
- chili paste – I like gochujang
- garlic
- ground ginger
- black pepper and chili flakes
- sesame oil – or you can use avocado oil, olive oil, or butter
Ingredients – for the chicken
- ramen noodles – we love ramen, but feel free to use rice noodles if you prefer
- chicken thighs or breasts – or use a mix
- garlic powder
- ground ginger
- black pepper
- arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- tamari or soy sauce
- green onions
- toasted sesame seeds
Special Tools
Just a large skillet and a glass jar to shake the sauce in.
Steps
Step 1: make the sauce
This sauce is pretty easy; simply mix all the ingredients together, then add water.
I like to use my homemade hoisin sauce (look in the NOTES section of the recipe card), which I shared with you all. It’s divine, but any store-bought hoisin sauce works wonderfully, too!
Step 2: the noodles
We love ramen noodles with this recipe. They work so well and cook in about 3 minutes.
However, if you prefer, you can use rice noodles; those are great too! Cook the noodles until they JUST begin to soften. Make sure to undercook them a bit.
Step 3: Cook the chicken
Next, start cooking the chicken. First, toss it with garlic powder, ginger, black pepper, and cornstarch. Add a bit of tamari. Now, cook the chicken over medium-high heat until it is browned. Add the cashews and toast them up.
Tip: if you want to add a vegetable, I would mix broccoli or bell peppers in with the cashews.
Step 4: mix the sauce in with the noodles
At this stage, you can add the sauce. Let the sauce bubble up, then add the noodles and toss, toss, toss!
Get the noodles saucy! Once they’re well coated, pull the pan off the heat.
Step 5: serve!
I serve the noodles with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
This recipe is definitely full of flavor yet still really simple.
Spicy, tangy, and salty are all the right flavors; they all hit so well together. Everyone thought this dish was YUMMY!
Looking for other quick weeknight dinners? Here are some favorites:
20 Minute Thai Basil Beef Rolls
Chili Crisp Chicken Mango Cucumber Rice Bowl
30 Minute Sticky Thai Meatballs with Sesame Noodles
Better Than Takeout Sweet Thai Basil Chicken
Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls
Lastly, if you make this 20 Minute Cashew Chicken Noodles, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
20 Minute Cashew Chicken Noodles
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 501 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chili paste (Ilike gochujang)
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- black pepper and chili flakes
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil (or olive oil)
Chicken
- 10-12 ounces ramen noodles or rice noodles, cooked
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs, breasts, or tenders, cubed
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- black pepper
- 3 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
- green onions, chopped, for serving
Instructions
- 1. To make the sauce. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar. Add 1/3 cup water.2. Cook the noodles for 2-3 minutes, until just soft. Drain and set aside. 3. In a large skillet, combine the chicken, garlic powder, ginger, black pepper, and cornstarch. Toss with tamari. Cook over medium-high heat until browned, about 8 minutes. Add the cashews. Cook for 2 minutes, until the cashews are golden. 4. Pour over the sauce. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly. Then, add the noodles. Toss well to coat and remove from the heat. 5. Serve the noodles and chicken with sesame seeds and green onions.
This post was originally published on March 24, 2025
I don’t see the cashews in the ingredients list. How much should I add with the chicken?
Hi Linda,
You are going to add 1/2 cup of cashews. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
The ingredient list is missing the cashews! How much and what kind do we use for this recipe?
Hi Chace,
So sorry about that! I like to use 1/2 cup of raw cashews for this recipe. I hope you’ll give it a try! xx
Would love to see you use other descriptive words besides “divine!“. Would love to hear you describe flavor profiles of food more!
Thanks so much for sharing your feedback, Shelley!
Cashews are not mentioned in ingredient list! Unsalted?? How much?? Thanks!! ❤️
Hey Gina,
Sorry for any confusion! It’s 1/2 cup of raw cashews:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Can you share info on the volume of cashews. Didn’t see that when I jumped to the recope. ?
Hi Bob,
Yes! It’s 1/2 cup of cashews, sorry about that! I hope you love this dish! xx
I don’t see cashews in the ingredient list. How much should we add?
Hi Tara,
You are going to use 1/2 cup of cashews. Please let me know if you try this dish, I hope you love it! xxT
How many cashews? Amount not listed
Hi Jerri,
You are going to use 1/2 cup of cashews. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
This recipe looks sooo good! How many cashews is recommended? I can’t see on the ingredients list unless I’ve missed it
Hi Shannon,
So sorry about that! It’s 1/2 cup of cashews. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
This looks delish! I’m assuming I should use raw cashews, but how much? Looking forward to making it!
Thanks so much, Karen! You are going to use 1/2 cup of cashews. Please let me know if you give this dish a try! xx
about how many cashews do you use and are they raw or toasted when adding them?
Hi Debra,
I like to use 1/2 cup of raw cashews for this recipe. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! Have a great week! xx
I’m seeing a few mentions of the ‘notes section of the recipe card’ and I’m not finding it. Please advise.
Hi Elizabeth,
You can find that here:
https://fett-weg.today/general-tsos-chicken/#wprm-recipe-container-178024%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Thanks. Would you consider updating this page to include the hoisin recipe? I would love to have everything in one place vs having to print two different recipes and/or comment sections. Thanks for your consideration.
Hi Elizabeth,
Yes, we can add that recipe here as well! Have a great week! xx
How many cashews?
Hi Tracy,
You can use 1/2 cup of cashews. I hope you love this dish, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Don’t see Hoisin sauce recipe or notes section on recipe card, also cashews aren’t listed… what quantity?
Hi Carlyn,
You are going to use 1/2 cup of cashews. Here is the recipe for the hoisin:
Homemade Hoisin Sauce: In a small sauce pot, mix 1/4 cup tamari/soy sauce with 3 tablespoons molasses. 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter, 2 teaspoons hot sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk in 1/3 cup of water. Simmer over medium heat until the sauce is smoothed and thickened.
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xxT
How much cashews?
Hi Beth,
Sorry about that, it’s 1/2 cup of cashews:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
What is the amount of cashews? I don’t see it listed in the ingredients
Hi there,
It’s 1/2 cup of cashews, sorry for any confusion! Have a great week! xxT