Sandy’s Effortless Cashew Chicken Casserole: Your Go-To Quick Weeknight Meal

Are you constantly searching for dinner recipes that are both incredibly delicious and unbelievably fast? Look no further! This fantastic recipe for Easy Cashew Chicken Casserole is a true game-changer, especially for those busy weeknights when time is a luxury. What makes it so revolutionary? It leverages the magic of pre-cooked chicken, transforming what could be a lengthy process into a mere 20-25 minutes of active kitchen time from start to finish. If you’ve embraced the art of batch cooking chicken for your freezer, you’re already halfway to enjoying this comforting, flavor-packed dish.

Gone are the days of slaving over a hot stove for hours. With minimal prep required, this recipe focuses on combining simple, readily available ingredients to create a creamy, savory casserole that the whole family will adore. It’s perfect for turning those freezer staples into a fresh and exciting meal, ensuring you never run out of delicious dinner ideas. For more insights on how to streamline your meal prep by cooking for the freezer, be sure to check out the invaluable tips in the Add Salt & Serve Primer: Cooking for the Freezer.

Why This Cashew Chicken Recipe Will Become Your Weeknight Favorite

This isn’t just another dinner; it’s a solution to the age-old question, “What’s for dinner tonight?” Sandy’s Easy Cashew Chicken Casserole brings together several elements that make it an instant hit:

• **Unbeatable Speed:** With the majority of ingredients already cooked, your active time in the kitchen is dramatically reduced. This makes it perfect for those evenings when you’re short on time but still crave a wholesome, homemade meal.
• **Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor:** The recipe relies on accessible pantry staples and fresh additions like roasted red peppers and cashews to deliver a rich, satisfying taste profile.
• **Comfort Food Reimagined:** Cashew chicken is often thought of as a takeout classic, but this casserole rendition offers all the comforting flavors in a baked, easy-to-manage format, complete with a delightful crunch from chow mein noodles.
• **Freezer-Friendly Foundation:** This dish champions the smart cooking strategy of using pre-cooked chicken, whether it’s leftovers from a Sunday roast or a batch you prepared specifically for future meals. This method slashes prep time and makes healthy eating more achievable.
• **Family Approved:** It’s a crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters tend to enjoy, thanks to its creamy texture and familiar flavors.

The Power of Pre-Cooked Chicken: Your Weeknight Secret Weapon

The core concept behind this recipe’s incredible speed lies in having cooked chicken ready to go. This “cooking for the freezer” method is a culinary superpower that every busy cook should master. Imagine: arriving home after a long day, and instead of needing to cook raw chicken, you simply grab a bag of pre-cubed, pre-cooked poultry from your freezer. This simple step eliminates at least 15-20 minutes of cooking time, not to mention the mess of raw meat prep.

If you’re new to this concept, it’s incredibly easy to implement. When you’re already cooking chicken for one meal, simply cook extra. Bake a few chicken breasts, poach some thighs, or even shred a rotisserie chicken. Cube or shred the cooked chicken, portion it into freezer-safe bags, and freeze. Then, for recipes like this Cashew Chicken Casserole, it’s a matter of thaw, mix, and bake! The Add Salt & Serve Primer: Cooking for the Freezer offers even more detailed guidance on how to make this a consistent part of your meal planning.

Essential Ingredients for Your Easy Cashew Chicken

Gathering your ingredients is the next step to creating this delightful casserole. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layered flavors and textures that make this dish so special.

• **Cooked Chicken (cubed):** As discussed, this is your time-saving hero. Any cooked chicken works – breast, thigh, rotisserie, or batch-cooked.
• **Onion (chopped and sautéed):** Sautéing the onion beforehand ensures it’s tender and sweet, adding a foundational layer of aromatic flavor without being raw or crunchy in the finished casserole.
• **Roasted Red Peppers (drained and sliced):** These convenient jarred peppers bring a beautiful color, a touch of sweetness, and a tangy depth that complements the creamy sauce. No need for fresh pepper chopping!
• **Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup:** This provides the luscious, creamy base that binds all the ingredients together. Its savory, umami-rich flavor is key to the casserole’s comfort. (You could also experiment with cream of chicken or celery soup for a slight variation, or even a homemade béchamel for a from-scratch approach).
• **Water:** Used to thin the condensed soup to the perfect consistency for the sauce. Chicken broth or vegetable broth could also be used for added flavor.
• **Soy Sauce (to taste):** Adds that quintessential umami, salty, and slightly savory depth characteristic of many Asian-inspired dishes. Adjust to your preference.
• **Black Pepper (to taste):** A simple seasoning to enhance all the other flavors.
• **Cashew Nuts (chopped or whole):** The star ingredient, offering a delightful buttery crunch and distinctive flavor that gives the dish its name. You can use whole cashews for a bolder bite or chopped for a more integrated texture. Toasting them lightly before adding can amplify their nutty flavor!
• **Chow Mein Noodles (separated):** These provide the signature crispy topping. Dividing them ensures some are mixed into the casserole for a softer texture, while the rest are sprinkled on top to become golden and crunchy during the final bake.

Recipe

Sandy’s Easy Cashew Chicken Recipe

No ratings yet

This quick and easy recipe is a great way to use cooked chicken from the freezer. If you use bulk cooked chicken, prep is minimal and since everything is already cooked, it only takes 20-25 minutes from start to finish.

AuthorAuthor: Mary Ann

Add to CollectionGo to Collections
Add to Shopping ListGo to Shopping List

Print

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 4 servings

Calories 210

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups chicken, cubed and sautéed
• 1 onion, chopped and sautéed
• 4 oz roasted red peppers, drained and sliced
• 10.5 oz condensed cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup water
• Soy sauce to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• ½ cup cashew nuts, chopped or whole
• 1 can chow mien noodles, separated

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• In a medium bowl, mix together cooked chicken, sautéed onion, drained red peppers, soup, water, nuts, and ½ of the chow mien noodles.
• Pour mixture into lightly greased casserole dish. Bake 15 minutes.
• Sprinkle remaining ½ of chow mien noodles over the top and continue baking for 5 more minutes. Serve over rice.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 210 calCarbohydrates: 13 gProtein: 12 gFat: 13 gSodium: 940 mgFiber: 1 gSugar: 2 g

Share
Pin

Mastering the Simple Steps for a Perfect Casserole

Even though this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few tips can help you achieve perfect results every time:

1. **Preheat Power:** Don’t skip preheating your oven to 375°F. This ensures the casserole bakes evenly and the noodles crisp up beautifully.
2. **Mixing for Harmony:** In a generously sized bowl, gently combine your cubed cooked chicken, the beautifully sautéed onion, the vibrant drained roasted red peppers, the creamy soup, water, cashew nuts, and half of the chow mein noodles. The goal is to ensure all ingredients are well-coated by the sauce.
3. **Casserole Ready:** Pour the well-mixed concoction into a lightly greased casserole dish. The grease prevents sticking and makes for easier cleanup. Bake this mixture for the initial 15 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the casserole to heat through.
4. **The Crispy Crown:** For the final 5 minutes, sprinkle the remaining half of the chow mein noodles over the top. This timing is crucial – it allows them to get golden and wonderfully crunchy without becoming soggy.
5. **Serve and Savor:** Once baked to perfection, serve your Easy Cashew Chicken Casserole hot, ideally over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or even quinoa, to soak up all that delicious creamy sauce.

Serving Suggestions & Perfect Pairings

While this Cashew Chicken Casserole is a complete meal on its own, pairing it with a few complementary sides can elevate the dining experience:

• **Rice is Right:** As recommended, white rice is the traditional choice, offering a neutral canvas for the rich flavors of the casserole. Brown rice or wild rice can add a nutty flavor and extra fiber.
• **Steamed Vegetables:** A side of steamed broccoli, green beans, or snap peas will add freshness, color, and additional nutrients, balancing the creamy richness of the dish.
• **Simple Salad:** A light, crisp green salad with a vinaigrette dressing can provide a refreshing contrast.
• **Extra Nuts & Fresh Herbs:** Garnish with a few extra toasted cashews and some chopped fresh cilantro or green onions for an extra pop of flavor and visual appeal.

Creative Variations & Tips for Customization

One of the best things about simple recipes like this Easy Cashew Chicken is how easily they can be adapted to suit your taste or what you have on hand:

• **Spice It Up:** For those who love a bit of heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mixture, or a dash of sriracha or hot sauce when serving.
• **Veggie Boost:** Feel free to incorporate other quick-cooking vegetables. Sautéed sliced mushrooms, diced carrots, or bell peppers could be mixed in along with the chicken and onions.
• **Different Nuts:** While cashews are key to the name, you could experiment with almonds or peanuts if you’re looking for a different flavor profile (though then it wouldn’t truly be “cashew chicken”!).
• **Gluten-Free Option:** To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure your condensed cream of mushroom soup is GF certified, and substitute regular soy sauce with tamari.
• **Deeper Flavor:** Use chicken broth instead of water for an even richer sauce base.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

This casserole is fantastic for meal prepping and handling leftovers:

• **Make Ahead:** You can prepare the entire mixture (minus the top layer of chow mein noodles) and store it in the greased casserole dish in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add about 5-10 minutes to the initial baking time to account for the chilled ingredients, then proceed with the noodle topping as directed.
• **Leftovers:** Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It reheats well in the microwave or oven.
• **Freezing Baked Casserole:** For longer storage, freeze individual portions of the baked casserole (without the top chow mein noodles, as they can get soggy upon thawing) for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat, adding fresh crunchy noodles for serving.

Understanding the Nutrition

Each serving of Sandy’s Easy Cashew Chicken Casserole provides a balanced nutritional profile, making it a smart choice for a main dish:

With 210 calories, 12g of protein, and 13g of fat, it offers a good balance for a satisfying meal, especially when paired with a healthy carb like rice. The sodium content is something to be aware of, particularly if you are watching your intake; consider using low-sodium soup and soy sauce if this is a concern. The 1g of fiber and 2g of sugar contribute to a generally healthy profile.

The Ultimate Quick Dinner Solution Awaits!

Sandy’s Easy Cashew Chicken Casserole is more than just a recipe; it’s a smart cooking strategy. By embracing the simple power of pre-cooked chicken, you unlock a world of quick, flavorful, and satisfying meals that fit perfectly into even the most hectic schedules. This casserole delivers creamy indulgence, savory notes, and that irresistible cashew crunch, all with minimal effort. It’s the ideal dish to bring comfort and joy to your dinner table without the stress.

So, why wait? Gather your ingredients, utilize that pre-cooked chicken from your freezer, and prepare to delight your family with this effortlessly delicious Cashew Chicken Casserole. It’s destined to become a beloved staple in your recipe rotation, proving that incredible meals don’t always require endless hours in the kitchen. Happy cooking!