Thai food is full of flavours and it’s a cuisine that I am familiar with. We get a lot of influence from Thai cooking, especially Southern Thai as there’s a small Thai community in my hometown. So, Thai food is always very easy to get hold with! I previously cooked Garlic & Coriander Chicken, which is a very simple dish but full of flavours! This dish is pretty common in my hometown.
There’s one Thai dish that has great Chinese influence, which is Thai stir-fry chicken with cashew nuts. Most people are very familiar with Kung Pao chicken (宮保鸡丁) or Kong Po chicken. Kong Pao chicken is a classic Sichuan cuisine. This dish is a very popular; wherever you go, you will see Kung Pao chicken on the menu.
It looks like Kung Pao chicken has made itself onto Thai food menu too! In Thai, it’s called ไก่ผัดเม็ดมะม่วงหิมพานต์ (Gai Pat Met Mamuang Himmapaan), yes, quite a mouthful to pronounce!
Sichuan Kung Pao chicken uses peanuts and Sichuan peppercorns. However, Thai version uses cashew nuts and Thai chili paste (Nam Prik Pao). If you like your dish to be hot and spicy, this Thai chili paste is what you need to have. I tend to add quite a bit when I make Thai stir-fry chicken with cashew nuts as I love food to be spicy! 
Steamed rice is best to serve with this tasty and spicy stir-fry chicken with cashew nuts. I usually cook a bit more so that I can keep it for the next day. Yes! It’s just too good that I can eat the same dish for 2 days!
Recipe: Thai Stir-fry Chicken with Cashew Nuts
Ingredients:
Chicken breast or thighs, 300-350g
Onion (cut into wedges), 1
Garlic (chopped), 2 cloves
Spring onion, 1 stalk
Dry chilies, some
Thai chili paste, 1 tbsp (or less, depends on how spicy you can take)
Cashew Nuts, a handful
Soya sauce, 1 tbsp
Dark soya sauce, 0.5 tbsp
Method:
1. On medium flame, fry the garlic until fragrant and not brown.
2. Add in the chicken and cook until nearly done. Then, add in Thai chili paste and stir well. Add a bit less than recommended if you can’t take spiciness.
3. Add in the onion, cashew nuts, dry chilies and spring onion. Give it a good mix and cook for about 2 minutes.
4. Then, season with soya sauce. Add in dark soya sauce to sweeten the dish and give it a little bit of colour. Serve warm.
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August 16th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
I love Kung Pao Chicken and so I think I'll really enjoy this dish! I love it when nuts make an appearance in dishes. Can you substitute another type of chili paste?
August 16th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
I made a stir-fry last week also that I still have to post. Darn….I forgot what a great idea nuts would be!!!!
August 16th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Jessica,
Thanks for your comment. You can do your own chili paste really – if you get some dry chilies, soak them until soft. Then, put into food processor and grind until becomes a paste. Put some oil in a pan and just slightly cook the paste until fragrant before use.
August 16th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I love using nuts in my dishes. Especially stir-fry and salads, just to get some crunch!!
August 17th, 2009 at 4:34 am
Trust you to make a simple dish look so fantastic. I love food cooked like this – so flavourful
You're right … all you need is a bowl of white rice. Yums!
August 17th, 2009 at 5:20 am
You've got delicious food, great photography and a nice blog!
August 17th, 2009 at 6:42 am
just the perfect stir fry i love cashews and use them often in asian/indian cooking. thanks for this recipe!
August 17th, 2009 at 7:43 am
This is so lovely and appetizing! Love it.
August 17th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Ive been meaning to make a cashew chicken, thanks for the inspiration@
August 17th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
I luv Thai food but this stir-fry dish is new to me. The close-up shot is really making me craving for Thai food now. Grrrrrrrr………!
August 17th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
This is perfect with rice! I'm so hungry now!!
btw, I received the cereals, thanks again!
August 17th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Thank you npm!!
August 17th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I love Thai food too!
August 17th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Thanks!! Sometimes, when I am too busy and too tired to cook, I wish I could just go out and eat my dinner like in anywhere else in Asia. Over here, I really have no choice, so simple dish like this always is a winner!
August 17th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Meeta,
I am interested to know more recipes that use cashew nuts. Do you have any that I should try?
August 17th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Thanks Alice!
August 17th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Anytime Zoe!
August 17th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
hehehe… I really crave for a real Thai dinner back home!
August 17th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
It's great that you've got the cereals!! Enjoy!!
August 17th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Same here!
August 18th, 2009 at 2:30 am
yes reminds me a little of kong pao chicken as well. This looks beautiful!
August 18th, 2009 at 5:40 am
Looks great – Kung Po is one of my favourite dishes as I do think I’m a little addicted to chilli!
Thanks
Andrew
August 18th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
It's pretty similar to Kong Po chicken but I would say Thai's version!
August 18th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Andrew,
Thanks!! I love simple and spicy dish like this. I do agree that chili could be addictive!
August 19th, 2009 at 11:13 am
YUM YUM YUM
August 19th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
August 20th, 2009 at 3:44 am
looking at your dish now,make me hungry…lovely!!
August 20th, 2009 at 5:53 am
Oh Leemei, this looks insanely good !
Almost want to lick the screen !
August 20th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
So nice recipe and pictures: you make me hungry!!!
August 20th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
heheh.. come and have dinner at my home!! Really, next time, please do come and visit me!
August 20th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Thanks Vanille!!
August 20th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Merci Dominique!
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:41 am
yumm