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Healthy 30-Minute Cashew Chicken Skillet

A vibrant, one-pan meal with tender ground chicken and crisp vegetables in a savory-sweet glaze. Weeknight-friendly and inspired by DASH diet principles without medical claims.
Course Main Course
Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 360kcal

Ingredients

For the Skillet:

  • 1 Tbsp 15 mL avocado oil
  • 1 ⅔ lbs 765 g extra-lean ground chicken (99% lean)
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 3 large carrots peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 red bell peppers seeded and chopped
  • 1 ¼ lbs 565 g fresh green beans, trimmed and halved

For the Savory Glaze:

  • ⅔ cup 160 mL unsalted chicken broth, divided
  • 4 Tbsp 60 mL coconut aminos
  • 3 Tbsp 45 mL apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp 30 mL pure maple syrup
  • 4 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 tsp 2 g smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp 1 g ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp 6 g arrowroot starch

For Garnish:

  • ¾ cup 90 g unsalted roasted cashews, roughly chopped
  • 3 scallions green parts only, thinly sliced
  • 1 Tbsp 9 g toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, smoked paprika, and black pepper. In a separate cup, mix arrowroot starch with 2 Tbsp of the chicken broth to make a slurry. Set both aside.
  • Sauté the Vegetables: Heat avocado oil in a wide Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high. Add carrots and green beans. Cook 5 to 7 minutes until bright and crisp-tender. Add onion and bell peppers. Cook 3 to 5 minutes until the onion softens.
  • Cook the Chicken: Push vegetables to the sides. Add ground chicken to the center, break it up, and cook 6 to 8 minutes until no pink remains and it reaches 165°F (74°C).
  • Combine and Glaze: Pour in the prepared sauce and the remaining chicken broth. Stir, scraping up any browned bits, and bring to a simmer.
  • Thicken: Re-whisk the slurry, then pour it in while stirring constantly. Cook 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce turns glossy and thickens.
  • Serve: Remove from heat. Divide among six bowls and top with cashews, scallions, and sesame seeds.

Notes

  • For a lower added-sugar option, use 1 to 1½ Tbsp maple syrup to taste.
  • If following DASH-style eating, choose unsalted broth and unsalted nuts, and taste before adding any extra salt.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: ⅙ of recipe (approx. 350 g)
  • Calories: 360 kcal
  • Total Fat: 12.2 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.2 g
  • Sodium: 245 mg
  • Total Carbohydrate: 30 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 6 g
  • Total Sugars: 14 g Includes 4 g Added Sugars
  • Protein: 35 g