This instant pot cashew chicken tastes like the familiar Chinese takeout we all love, but in a better-for-you, Whole30, Paleo, gluten-free version that only takes 30 minutes. No more waiting for your delivery! This instant pot paleo cashew chicken is a family friendly meal, I promise even those who don’t adhere to a real food diet will love it.
My recipe for instant pot cashew chicken is the closest I could get to the real deal. Many healthy cashew chicken recipes out there have a bunch of veggies added (which is great! duh!). But when I’m craving those takeout cartons of cashew chicken, it’s the chicken, cashews and rice I want, you know?! I wanted to have a go-to recipe that I know will satisfy those cravings in a healthy, Whole30 way!
Especially when I can have it ready to eat in only a half hour.. much less time than it takes to order in. The recipe itself is super simple and would be great for a quick weeknight meal. While it looks like there’s quite a few ingredients, I assure you it’s largely the spices, seasonings and Paleo/Whole30 substitutes you already have hanging out in the pantry.
Some of the things you’ll need is an instant pot, of course. But I’m assuming you already gathered that. The cashew chicken recipe also calls for coconut aminos, raw cashews (roasted or lightly salted is fine, whatever floats your boat), arrowroot flour for thickening, sesame oil and ketchup. Most of this can be found in the grocery store or cheaper on Thrive Market. You can also make your own Paleo and Whole3o ketchup, or grab a bottle of Primal Kitchen’s Whole30 Approved ketchup.
It’s by far the best healthy, sweetener-free ketchup that’s available. I’m not even just saying that. My (not Paleo) boyfriend goes through it constantly and won’t touch the old stuff anymore. It’s available at Whole Foods, or online on their website for 5 bucks (save 10% off your order with code “PALEOBAILEY” at checkout). I also really recommend not skipping out on the Chinese Five Spice either.
This spice, often just label “five spice” in the grocery store, is one that really adds so much flavor to Chinese-inspired dishes. It’s what gives East Asian inspired recipes that familiar tangy-sweet flavor and basically it’ll take your meals up a notch. Pretty much every grocery store has this, from Target to Whole Foods to Walmart either with all of the spices or the international items. I’ve linked it here so you can see what it looks like, but it’s much more expensive on Amazon than it is in stores and I recommend grabbing it from there next time you’re grocery shopping.
If you’re on a Whole30, you can omit the sweeteners for the instant pot cashew chicken. Instead, you can opt for 2-3 tablespoons of fresh orange juice. If you’re not currently doing a Whole30, the recipe calls for coconut sugar and honey. If you wanted to use only one, you can add an additional tablespoon of coconut sugar to replace the honey. I’ve tried it both ways or without both while testing this recipe, but I found that the honey helps make the sauce and chicken a bit more “sticky” and thicker. The coconut sugar adds a deeper, slightly sweet flavor to balance out the vinegar.
Check out my Whole30 Cashew Chicken One-Skillet Recipe with veggies and a “peanut” sauce!
Other Recipes You’ll Love:
Whole30 Instant Pot Beef & Broccoli
Whole30 Instant Pot Sweet & Sour Chicken
40 Whole30 Instant Pot Recipes
PrintInstant Pot Cashew Chicken: Whole30, Paleo, 30 Minutes
This instant pot cashew chicken tastes like the familiar Chinese takeout we all love, but in a better-for-you, Whole30, Paleo, gluten-free version that only takes 30 minutes. No more waiting for your delivery full of MSG!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 12
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4-6 1x
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
- 1.5–2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1“-1.5” pieces
- 2 tbsp sesame oil, divided
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos
- 3 tablespoons sugar-free ketchup
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar*
- 1 tbsp honey*
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 2 tbsp arrowroot flour, divided
- 1/2 tsp Chinese Five Spice powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp pepper, or to taste
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 cup raw (or lightly salted) cashews
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine 1 tbsp sesame oil, coconut aminos, ketchup, vinegar, coconut sugar, honey, garlic, ginger, Five Spice, and red pepper flakes. Whisk well to combine and set aside.
- In a bowl or baggie, coat chicken pieces with 1 tbsp of the arrowroot flour, salt and pepper. Add 1 tbsp sesame oil to the bottom of the instant pot and turn it to “sauté”.
- Allow oil to heat up and then sear chicken for 1-2 minutes. Press “cancel” and pour the sauce into the instant pot. Stir the sauce in with the chicken to evenly distribute. Cover, set the valve to “sealing” and press “manual” and adjust the time to 10 minutes.
- Right before the instant pot is done, combine 1 tbsp arrowroot flour with 2 tbsp water and stir well to dissolve. Once the instant pot is done, do a quick release and open the lid. Press the “sauté” button and pour the water and flour mixture into the instant pot and whisk into the sauce.
- Add the cashews and then continue stirring until the sauce has thickened. If you’d like it thicker after 1-2 minutes, add an additional 1/2 tbsp arrowroot dissolved in 1 tbsp water. Once the sauce has thickened, add any additional salt and pepper and serve.
- Serve over broccoli, cauliflower rice, on it’s own with a side, over spaghetti squash “lo mien” noodles, etc. Garnish with any additional cashews, green onion, or sesame seeds
Notes
- *Omit for Whole30. Optional substitutions include 3 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice, or 1-2 medjool dates, pitted and pureed in a food processor with 1/4 cup water to help blend.
- If sauce gets too thick, you can easily thin it back out again by adding a few tablespoons of water. Only do a few at a time until at your desired consistancy.
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 322
- Sugar: 11
- Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 19
- Protein: 26
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Cindy says
I don’t have an instapot, how can I make this recipe on the stovetop?
Cindy says
I don’t have an instapot, so what changes would I have to make to the recipe. I can’t wait to make this! It sounds delicious!!! Another one of your great recipes!!!
Ryan Willis says
Started sautee and then had to keep scraping off the bottom. Added the sauce, everything burned.
paleobailey says
Sorry to hear that, Ryan. Quite frankly, I don’t think this is an issue with the recipe, so I’m sorry to see you have it 1 star. I’ve made it countless times, as have numerous people you can see in the comments with great success. If you have a newer model instant pot, I am willing to bet money that that is the issue. There have been thousands of reports of issues with the newer models with reaching a higher temperature than previous models, showing the “burn” notification much more often and even having “hot spots” on the bottom of the inner pot causing food to scorch or overcook even with what should be enough liquid in the pot.
If you’re using your instant pot and you think the sauce is too thick, you can just simply add more water prior to pressure cooking, and then thicken it back up afterwards to avoid this issue.
Traci says
Good morning. I just purchased a 3-quart Instant Pot from Amazon. Will this recipe work in my smaller IP? We love cashew chicken. I think this would be the perfect recipe for my IP’s maiden voyage.
paleobailey says
Yes! It should work just fine 🙂
Sarah says
I made this for dinner last night and it was SO GOOD! I couldn’t find Chinese 5 spice and used soy sauce instead, but everyone loved it. I’ll definitely be making it again!
paleobailey says
I’m so happy it was a hit! Thank you for letting me know, Sarah!! <3
Shelia Southard says
This cashew chicken was delicious! Thanks for sharing this recipe. I have used my Insta pot before by just putting all the ingredients in and turning it on and then coming back in five hours. This is the first time I actually sautéed and cooked in it. It was great!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad to hear this! I hope it was the first of many times – I love how functional the instant pot can be! Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed :))
Anna Garcia says
I CRAVE this cashew chicken like no other. I went out for Chinese food the other day, and I was disappointed! I could have just stayed home and made this and been happier (and healthier, and cheaper). That hasn’t happened to me before. I wouldn’t change a thing. I had mine with steamed white rice and broccoli and it was so perfect. I love eating this for breakfast. Than you for such an easy and DELICIOUS recipe.
paleobailey says
Ahh! I LOVE this so much! Thank you so much, Anna – you made my day!! <3 - B
SarahGrace says
So yummy!!!!!!! A big hit with the whole family.
paleobailey says
Thank you so much! I’m so happy everyone enjoyed <3 - B
alison majoros says
My whole family loved this recipe!
paleobailey says
Woo!! Love hearing this! Thank you for coming back and letting me know it was a hit!! <3 - B
Angie says
??
Naz says
Love this recipe.
paleobailey says
Thank you so much, Naz!! <3 - B
Maggie says
Made this last night for quick lunches this week. Can’t wait to dig into it, it’s one of our favorites!!
Griselda says
Love this recipe! Pretty much everything you make is gold!
paleobailey says
SO happy to hear it – thank you, Griselda!! <3 - B
Camille Harrington says
Such a good quick dinner!!! It was better then takeout and we will add it to our favorites list, though most of yours are on there!
paleobailey says
Oh, Camille – you really made my day today. Thank you so much! I appreciate you! <3 <3
Heather says
This is one of my favorite recipes! I make it, separate into portion size and freeze. Great for lunch at work. Warm it up and serve it with a side of snap peas. I bring them to work raw, add hot water to blanch for a minute, pour off the water. Top the cashew chicken with a few more chopped cashews and chives/scallions. It’s a gourmet looking meal that tastes delicious and is easy peasy! Thanks for creating this recipe, Bailey.
paleobailey says
LOVE this! Thank you for sharing that it freezes well! As I’ve never tried it, I know it will be super helpful for others who make it!!
Tabitha Rae says
You freeze it with the cashews and all?
Shelby says
So yummie
Martha says
My husband and I made this during our first Whole30 and liked it so much we kept it in our regular rotation AFTER Whole30 too! Recommend. One note: we have found that the creamier the almond butter you use is the better the dish is.
Tessa says
This is so, so good! Made it a few times!!
Hannah says
One of my favorite recipes for whole kitchen sink! Do easy and delicious every single time I make it. Everything I’ve made of Bailey’s not only myself has loved but my husband and kids also!
paleobailey says
Oh this is so wonderful to hear – thank you, Hannah! I’m so glad this recipe is a hit and that your family enjoys my recipes. You really made my night, and I’m so thankful you took the time to let me know this today! <3 - B
Spinteach says
Excellent meal! I doubled it and served with brown rice, steamed green beans, and cucumbers. Will definitely make it again!
paleobailey says
That sounds so good! So glad you enjoyed!!
Shelly says
For doubling the recipe do you cook it for the same time in the instant pot? I’m making this for two friends and their families.