Gluten Free Cashew Chicken Meal Prep

Looking for a quick, delicious, and gluten-free meal prep that you can enjoy all week? This Gluten Free Cashew Chicken recipe is your answer! It’s packed with tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and colorful bell peppers. It’s the perfect meal for your eyes and taste buds. You can have it for lunch or dinner. Plus, it’s all done in just 30 minutes. Perfect for those who want to eat healthy without spending hours in the kitchen. 

What is Cashew Chicken?

Cashew Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish. It’s known for its tasty mix of tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and vegetables, all tossed in a savory sauce. This dish typically features a mix of sweet, salty, and slightly spicy flavors, making it a favorite for many. The cashews add a unique texture and nutty taste. They perfectly complement the succulent chicken and crisp bell peppers. 

This Cashew Chicken meal prep is inspired by our favorite Chinese restaurant cashew chicken dinner with a gluten free twist. You can eat this recipe over rice, noodles, or on its own. It’s perfect for meal prep. It reheats well, keeping its delicious taste and texture all week. You can even keep this on your dinner rotation for the week as a go-to recipe that will rival your favorite Chinese food takeout.

Ingredient Notes

Let’s take a closer look at the simple ingredients that make this Gluten-Free Cashew Chicken so delicious. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand what you’re working with and why it’s important. All of these ingredients should be found easily at your local grocery store in the International and Produce sections.

For the Chicken:

• Salt, white pepper, and garlic powder: These are basic seasonings. They give the chicken a good flavor base. They don’t overpower the dish.
• Chicken Breasts or Tenders: Cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking and even flavor distribution.
• Avocado Oil: We like using the Avocado Oil Cooking Spray. This is ideal for high-heat cooking and gives a light, even coating to prevent sticking.

For the Sauce:

• Coconut Aminos: A gluten-free alternative to soy sauce with a slightly sweeter flavor. We like this variation in our recipe. You you substitute gluten-free tamari.
• Oyster Sauce: Adds a deep, savory umami flavor to the sauce. Look for gluten free brands like Grandmaster Gluten-Free Oyster Sauce or Kikkoman® Gluten-Free Oyster Sauce. It is made from the natural liquor extracted from fresh oysters.
• Rice Vinegar: Provides a tangy balance to the sweetness and richness of the sauce. Make sure you are using certified gluten-free sauces.
• Honey: Sweetens the sauce naturally, balancing the salty and spicy elements.
• Sesame Oil: A little goes a long way, adding a nutty, aromatic quality.
• White Pepper, Garlic Powder, Ginger Powder: All of these spices combined will enhance the depth of the sauce and add a warmth
• Red Pepper Chili Flakes: For a touch of heat. Adjust to taste.
• Arrowroot Powder: This powder will be combined with water to make a slurry thickens the sauce without adding gluten. Make sure you use arrowroot powder to keep the dish gluten-free.

For the Stir-Fry:

• Green Bell Pepper & Red Bell Pepper: Cut into bite-sized pieces for a colorful and nutritious addition. Get those veggies in!
• Raw Cashews: We like the raw roasted cashews for extra crunch and nutty flavor.
• Green Onions: Sliced, with the white parts for cooking and green tops for garnish.
• Sesame Seeds: Optional garnish for added texture and visual appeal.

To Serve:

• Cooked Rice: We like serving this meal prep with cooked white rice. Use your preferred method or opt for frozen/microwaveable rice for convenience. Each meal prep container or plate gets about 1 cup of rice to balance the meal.

Equipment Needed

Before we talk about cooking, let’s make sure we have all the right tools on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cutting Board: For chopping chicken, bell peppers, and green onions.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for cutting ingredients into bite-sized pieces.
• Large Skillet: For cooking the chicken, vegetables, and sauce. A non-stick skillet works best.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons or Food Scale: To ensure accurate measurements for the sauce ingredients.
• Mason Jar or Medium Bowl: For mixing the sauce.
• Spatula or Wooden Spoon: For stirring and combining ingredients in the skillet.
• Rice Cooker/Instant Pot/Stovetop Pot: For cooking rice. Alternatively, use a microwave for pre-cooked rice that comes in the bag. This is a great short cut if you are short on time!
• Meal Prep Containers: Round ones are recommended for easy storage and portioning of the prepared meals. But you can use what you have on hand!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Rice

• Start by cooking your rice in a rice cooker, instant pot, or on the stovetop. Prep time for this meal should take about 10 minutes.
• Tip: Start by cooking your rice in a rice cooker, instant pot, or on the stovetop. Prep time for this meal should take about 10 minutes.

Step 2: Prep the Vegetables

• On a cutting board, cut up your red and green bell peppers into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
• Slice the green onions, separating the white and green parts. Set aside.

Step 3: Prep the Chicken

• On a cutting board, cut the chicken breasts or tenders into bite-sized pieces.

Step 4: Heat the Skillet

• Preheat a large skillet to medium-high heat and spray with avocado cooking oil spray.

Step 5: Cook the Chicken

• Add the chicken pieces into the hot pan and season with salt, white pepper, and garlic powder.
• Cook the chicken for about 3 minutes on each side until fully cooked.
• Remove the chicken from the heat and set aside on a plate.

Step 6: Make the Sauce

• Mix the following ingredients in a mason jar or small bowl: coconut aminos, oyster sauce, rice wine vinegar, honey, sesame oil, white pepper, garlic powder, ginger powder, and red pepper flakes.
• Add the arrowroot powder and water to the mixture to create a thickening slurry. Shake the jar or mix in the bowl until well combined.

Step 7: Stir-Fry the Vegetables

• Spray the skillet with cooking oil spray again.
• Add the whites of the green onions, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Stir-fry until the vegetables are soft.

Step 8: Add the Cashews

Add the roasted cashews to the skillet and cook with the vegetables for about 2-3 minutes.

Step 9: Combine Everything

• Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, vegetables, and cashews.
• Cook until the sauce is bubbly and everything is well coated.

Step 10: Plate and Garnish

• Divide the cooked rice into three meal prep containers (about 1 cup per container) – use an airtight container.
• Evenly distribute the cashew chicken among the containers.
• Garnish with sesame seeds and the green tops of the green onions.
• Enjoy your delicious, gluten-free Cashew Chicken meal prep throughout the week! This also doubles as an easy dinner recipe.

Find the measurements and full recipe below in the recipe card!

Reheating Instructions

When you’re ready to eat this meal prep at work for lunch (or working remotely), follow these steps to keep your meal tasting fresh and flavorful:

Microwave Method:

1. Remove Lid: Take the lid off your meal prep container.
2. Microwave: Place the container in the microwave.
3. Heat: Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes. If needed, heat for an additional 30-second increments until the food is heated through.
4. Stir: Stir the chicken and rice halfway through heating to ensure even warmth.
5. Cool: Let it sit for a minute before eating to avoid burns and to let the flavors meld back together.

Stovetop Method:

1. Transfer to Pan: Transfer the cashew chicken and rice from the container to a small skillet or saucepan.
2. Heat Gently: Heat on medium-low, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
3. Add Water: If the sauce seems too thick, add a tablespoon of water to loosen it up and keep the dish moist.
4. Serve: Once heated thoroughly, transfer back to your container or plate and enjoy.

Storage Tips

• Refrigeration: Store your meal prep containers in the refrigerator. These meals will stay fresh for up to 3-5 days. This recipe will make about 3 different meal preps that you can space out throughout the week.
• Freezing: If you want to keep the meals for longer, you can freeze them. They’ll last up to 2 months in the freezer and still keep their original flavor. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then follow the reheating instructions.

Have more questions?

Feel free to ask any questions about our take on this cashew chicken stir fry in the comments below! We’re here to help make your cooking experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.