Craving Chinese food? Why not throw together this recipe in your crock pot and eat a healthier make-in instead of take-out!
Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/10/slow-cooker-cashew-chicken.html
- 1 lb chicken breast tenders
- 2 Tbsp arrowroot/almond flour
- ½ tsp black peppers
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp reduced-sugar ketchup
- 1 Tbsp Splenda
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp grated fresh ginger
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- Cashews (consider how much fat you want to add…maybe 1-2 Tbsp/serving)
Combine flour and pepper in large a Ziploc. Add chicken. Shake to coat with flour mixture. Heat oil in a skillet over med-high heat. Brown chicken ~2 min on each side. Place chicken in slow cooker. Combine soy, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes in small bowl; pour over chicken. Cook on LOW 3-4 hours. Add cashews and stir. Makes 3-4 protein/fat servings. Serve over brown rice, optional (L0-1 protein/fat/carb meal). If you like sauce and want to have some to pour over the chicken and the rice, double the sauce ingredients.
Done in the crock pot! Time to add cashews!
I used almond flour the first time I made this, but would recommend arrowroot powder if you have it. As a substitute for cornstarch, I have read it’s used to coat the chicken and make your dish moist and more authentic. I tried the arrowroot powder on chicken the last time I made stir-fry and it was an excellent addition. However, if you’d rather not use either, season chicken and just brown it without a coating. Adjust the sauce to taste – keep in mind there is a lot of sodium even in low-sodium soy sauce so if you can minimize that, all the better. Best to not make this dish within a few days of weigh in due to the sodium. If you chop the cashews, less will go further. Can’t have a fat at a particular meal? Nix the nuts!
Don’t let cravings derail you from your plan – just look for ways to make it work! Feast on Chinese, feast on other ethnic dishes made at home, and as always…FEAST ON!!!
~Coach Lauren
