Sheet Pan Thai Cashew Chicken and Vegetables

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Thai Cashew Chicken and Vegetables made all on one sheet pan for a healthy, easy dinner that tastes just like your favorite takeout. This dish is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, full of protein from the chicken and cashews, and packed with veggies.

326 CAL 27g CARBS 6g FAT 37g PROTEIN 5
5 Comments

Sheet Pan Thai Cashew Chicken comes together in 20 minutes for a dinner that's better than takeout and good for you. This healthy meal made with chicken breast, cashews, veggies, and a sweet and spicy Thai sauce seriously couldn't be more delicious. And with under 350 calories, it's a meal you will immediately add to the rotation.

Sheet pan meals are my jam. I mean what isn't to like about a meal that is all cooked on one sheet pan for easy cleanup and simple meal prep. Now to be perfectly clear, this dish actually involves an extra pan to make the sauce, but it is 100% worth it. We almost finished an entire sheet pan's worth between two of us one night. I loved it so much, I decided to skip the rice so that I could have more chicken and veggies. 

Thai Cashew Chicken and Vegetables on a sheet pan with a sticky sweet and spicy sauce.

Now let's talk about what this is not. It isn't a typical Thai Cashew Chicken that is made with super spicy dried Thai chilies, palm sugar, fish sauce, and usually a touch of Thai Whiskey. (I have a lightened up version of the traditional version here if that is what you are looking for.) Instead, this is a Thai inspired version that uses a combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, honey, and Asian garlic chili sauce to create a sticky sauce that is perfect for chicken and veggies.

Cashew Chicken with Vegetables made on a sheet pan.

What about the cashews? While you may be tempted to leave them out, please, please don't! The lightly roasted cashews add so much to the dish. They are nutty, rich, and we were fighting for the last ones. They are seriously delicious and although the dish would be good without them, it is so much better with them. Plus cashews add extra protein, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. In fact, if you aren't worried about calories, I would add some extra!

Tips for Making this Thai Cashew Chicken

  • You can make the sauce ahead of time for an easier weeknight meal. Store the sauce in the fridge and then just heat it up a touch in a pan or the microwave before using so you can easily drizzle on the chicken and veggies.
  • If you don't have a large sheet pan, you may want to cook this on a couple of sheet pans. The chicken and veggies cook best when they aren't crowded and are in a single layer on the pan. 
  • For easy cleanup, cover the sheet pan in foil or parchment paper. Foil will work best since sometimes the sauce drips under the parchment paper. 
  • This dish can be made as spicy or mild as you like it. The first few times you make it, add the garlic chili paste to the sauce at the end so you can control the heat. 
  • This recipe will work with chicken breast, chicken thighs, pork tenderloin, or tofu. For tofu make sure to press it beforehand so that it can get crispy.

Side Dish Ideas

This is a meal on its own but you can defintiely add a side dish if you like. The obvious choice would be to serve it alongside some white or brown rice. Cauliflower rice is a lighter option. Reach for quinoa if you want to add some extra whole grains and protein. You could also serve it with noodles, my personal favorite. Try it with rice noodles, buckwheat soba noodles, or even spaghetti tossed with a little soy sauce. For a low carb option, use spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles, or carrot noodles.

Looking for more healthy Asian chicken recipes?

Healthy Cashew Chicken with Vegetables on a dark plate with chopsticks.

The Recipe
Thai Cashew Chicken with vegetables on a sheet pan.

Sheet Pan Thai Cashew Chicken and Vegetables

326 CAL 27g CARBS 6g FAT 37g PROTEIN 5
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 20 Min
TOTAL TIME: 25 Min
5 Comments
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1/3 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey (or replace with Stevia for lower carb)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Asian garlic chili paste (optional, adjust to taste)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1.33 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 16 oz. Asian vegetable mix
  • 1/4 cup cashews

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Instructions

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1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray the chicken with cooking spray or toss with olive oil. Season with black pepper. Spread out on to a sheet pan in a single layer, covered in foil and sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes.

2

Meanwhile, add the soy sauce, water, hoisin, honey, garlic, Asian garlic chili paste, and cornstarch to a small pan. Bring to a boil and then turn down a low simmer. Cook for 4-6 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Watch the sauce to make sure it doesn't burn.

3

Remove the chicken from the oven. Add the vegetables and cashews to the pan. Drizzle with the sauce and toss to coat. Return to the oven and cook for 8-10 minutes until tender crisp.

Diets:
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 1.5
Amount Per Serving
Calories 326
Calories from Fat 51
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6g
8%
Saturated Fat 1g
4%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 74mg
24%
Sodium 1086mg
47%
Total Carbohydrate 27g
9%
Dietary Fiber 4g
15%
Sugars 15g
Protein 37g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
† We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
5 Comments
On Sheet Pan Thai Cashew Chicken and Vegetables
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Stacey Wolff
December 1, 2021 - 17:01
Add a Rating:
5
One of our favorites! Thank you, Kristen! We add extra chili garlic paste and some crushed red pepper; all adults here, and we like it spicy. Also great with shrimp instead of chicken, just skip the first 10 minutes to cook chicken. Takes about 15 minutes with 1 lb shrimp and 1 lb veggies.
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Deanna Fitzpatrick
October 17, 2018 - 16:29
Add a Rating:
5
This is so delicious! I love the sauce.
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Benjy Howe
September 26, 2018 - 20:53
Add a Rating:
5
Delicious! Will definitely make again.
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Deedee
September 12, 2018 - 05:35
What exactly is in the Asian vegetable mix? Can you buy that frozen or fresh or do you chop it all yourself?
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September 12, 2018 - 08:37
In my market, you are able to buy a packaged mix in the produce section that includes a variety of fresh chopped vegetables. You can definitely chop your own as well.
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