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30-Minute Paleo Mango Cashew Chicken

30-Minute Paleo Mango Cashew Chicken ready in a flash! This soy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free take on cashew chicken is clean, healthful, and tastier than takeout!

Paleo Mango Cashew Chicken - an easy dinner recipe requiring few ingredients and less than 40 minutes to make!

I first published this recipe in April of 2014. Because I know so many of you are Chinese food fanatics like me, I figured I would re-post it for those of you who are newer here!

The basic gist of this simple yet wildly flavorful meal is we’re making a soy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free (paleo-friendly) version of Mango Cashew Chicken.

It is simply everything you want in a hearty meal!

Covering the savory, sweet, tangy, umami bases with plenty of yummy textures, this simple recipe is easy to toss together in less than 40 minutes. 

Make it any ol’ night of the week!

You can serve it up with your favorite sides to fit your dietary needs. Cauliflower rice or regular steamed rice are my recommendations, as they will help soak up that tasty sauce.

Let’s discuss the fresh and funky ingredients needed to make this healthy dinner recipe happen!

30-Minute Paleo Mango Cashew Chicken recipe - better than takeout cashew chicken made soy-free, refined sugar-free, and gluten-free.

Ingredients for Paleo Mango Cashew Chicken:

For the Sauce: Coconut aminos, unsweetened almond butter, sriracha, orange zest, pure maple syrup.

If you aren’t soy-free, you can replace the coconut aminos with liquid aminos or soy sauce. If you go this route, you may want to add more pure maple syrup, as coconut aminos is naturally sweet whereas liquid aminos (or soy sauce) is savory.

For the Mango Cashew Chicken: Onion, garlic, carrot, bell pepper, chicken, cashews, mango.

This combination of goodies yields a filling and flavorful meal! Feel free to add in some fresh ginger if you love it. 

Paleo Mango Cashew Chicken - an easy dinner recipe that's gluten-free, soy-free, refined sugar-free and takes very little time to prepare

How to Make Mango Cashew Chicken:

Begin by making the sauce. To do so, simply stir the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl or measuring cup until everything is combined. Set the sauce aside until you’re ready to use it.

Get some oil heating in a frying pan or wok, then sauté the vegetables. I like to start by sautéing the onion to get it to soften up a bit and unlock all of that amazing flavor. 

Once the vegetables have softened, add in the chopped chicken and cook for a few minutes to allow the chicken to brown. 

Stir in the sauce and bring everything to a full boil. Reduce the heat to a gentle boil, cover the skillet with a lid, and cook until everything is cooked through and the sauce is thick. If you need to remove the lid and cook at a boil to get the sauce to thicken for a few minutes, go ahead and do so!

Serve the Mango Cashew Chicken with cauliflower rice (as pictured) or your choice of steamed or fried rice.

Try my Basil Fried Rice or my Coconut Rice for excellent pairings!

30-Minute Mango Cashew Chicken - paleo, gluten-free, soy-free, refined sugar-free and healthy.

Recipe Adaptations:

Here are some ways you can change up the recipe depending on your personal taste!

If you’re serving more than 3 people, double the recipe. As written, the recipe makes a smaller batch of food, ideally for two or three.

Replace the coconut aminos with liquid aminos or low-sodium soy sauce if you aren’t soy-free. Add an additional tablespoon of pure maple syrup if you go this route.

Make recipe Low-FODMAP by omitting the onion and garlic and adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar or rice vinegar to the sauce.

Add in your favorite veggies! Broccoli, bok choy, cauliflower, celery, and zucchini are all good options.

More Quick & Easy Chinese Recipes:

Enjoy this flavor-blasted meal!

Paleo Mango Cashew Chicken - an easy dinner recipe requiring few ingredients and less than 40 minutes to make!

30-Minute Paleo Mango Cashew Chicken

Quick and easy Mango Cashew Chicken hits the spot when you're craving takeout! Flavorful, sweet and savory.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
3 to 4 Servings

Ingredients

For the Sauce:

Mango Cashew Chicken:

  • 2 Tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 large carrot, chopped
  • 1 green or red bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh mango, chopped
  • 1 cup raw cashews

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, stir together the coconut aminos, orange zest, maple syrup, almond butter, and chili garlic sauce until well combined. Set aside.
  • Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet, wok or frying pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until it begins to turn translucent, about 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the carrot, bell pepper, and garlic and sauté until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
  • Add the chopped raw chicken and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Pour in the sauce and continue cooking, stirring frequently, allowing the mixture to come to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
  • Add the chopped mango and cashews. Stir well and cook just until heated through.
  • Serve the cashew chicken over cauliflower rice.

Notes

*You can replace aminos with low sodium soy sauce if you're okay with soy and are fine with the recipe not being paleo. If you make this switch, I recommend adding another 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, as coconut aminos have a naturally sweet flavor where liquid aminos are salty.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 3 - Calories: 600kcal - Carbohydrates: 46g - Protein: 45g - Fiber: 6g - Sugar: 30g
Course: Chicken Main Dishes, Main Dishes
Cuisine: American, Chinese
Keyword: 30 minute meals, Chinese food, easy dinner recipe, gluten free, healthy takeout, mango cashew chicken, paleo, soy free, takeout
Servings: 3 to 4 Servings
Calories: 600kcal
Author: Julia
30-Minute Mango Cashew Chicken - paleo, gluten-free, soy-free, refined sugar-free and healthy.
Recipe Rating




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Stacy

Sunday 31st of July 2022

This has become one of our family favorites. We usually do half coconut aminos and half soy and skip the maple syrup. Sometimes we have an orange (and it is definitely better), and sometimes we don’t and it is just fine. We top it with sliced green onions and cilantro with a squeeze of lime. So delicious!

Julia

Monday 1st of August 2022

I'm so thrilled to hear you and your family enjoys the cashew chicken, Stacy! Thanks so much for the sweet note! This is super helpful to others who want to try the same changes :) xoxo

Joanne

Monday 21st of April 2014

Swap out the chicken for tofu and I am so jumping on this gravy train! I mean...mango train. Yes, definitely want to be on the mango train.

Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough

Saturday 19th of April 2014

I think "fungry" is my new favorite word. And this cashew chicken is my new favorite meal.

Anna

Saturday 19th of April 2014

Made it tonight! SO GOOD! I love the orange zest that comes through every so often :)

Julia

Sunday 20th of April 2014

YES! So glad you tried it and enjoyed it! It was such an easy meal and I love how much flavor is in it. Not to mention, it's worlds healthier than takeout :D

Kelly @ The Pretty Bee: Cooking + Creating

Saturday 19th of April 2014

This sounds so good - I LOVE cashew chicken, and the mango sounds fabulous with it!

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