Gai Pad Med Mamuang (Thai Cashew Chicken)
Local name: ไก่ผัดเม็ดมะม่วงหิมพานต์
In short: Chicken stir-fried with roasted cashews, dried chilies, onion and pepper in a savory-sweet sauce, a mild wok dish popular with families. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 395 kcal
Gai pad med mamuang is a mild, crowd-pleasing stir-fry that shows up on family tables and restaurant menus across Thailand. Tender chicken, crunchy cashews and sweet onion and pepper are tossed in a savory sauce with a little sweetness, while a few dried chilies add smoky warmth rather than fierce heat. It cooks in minutes, so measure the sauce and prepare the vegetables before you start.
Instructions
- Toss the chicken with the cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of light soy sauce and leave for 10 minutes. Stir the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Toast the cashews in a dry wok or skillet over medium-low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking often, until golden. Tip them onto a plate.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in the wok over high heat. Fry the dried chilies for 10 to 15 seconds until they darken, then add the garlic and stir for 10 seconds.
- Add the chicken and stir-fry for 3 minutes, until browned and nearly cooked through.
- Add the onion and bell pepper and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, so they stay crisp. Pour in the sauce and toss for 1 minute, until glossy and the chicken is cooked (74°C/165°F).
- Add the cashews and spring onions, toss for 20 seconds and serve right away with jasmine rice.
Tips
- Toast the cashews yourself even if you have roasted ones. A minute in the dry pan wakes up their flavor and keeps them crunchy in the sauce.
- Use pork, shrimp or firm tofu in place of chicken. Leave out the chili paste and dried chilies for a very mild version.
Questions and answers
Can I use chicken breast?
Yes, but slice it thinly and do not overcook it, as it dries out faster than thigh. The cornstarch coating helps keep it tender.
How spicy is Thai cashew chicken?
Mild to medium. Dried chilies add flavor, and you can control the heat by seeding them or leaving them whole.
Can I make cashew chicken without oyster sauce?
Yes. Replace it with an extra tablespoon of light soy sauce and a pinch of sugar. The sauce will be a little thinner and less sweet.
How long does it take to make Gai Pad Med Mamuang (Thai Cashew Chicken)?
About 30 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Gai Pad Med Mamuang (Thai Cashew Chicken)?
About 395 kcal per serving, with 26 g of protein, 17 g of carbohydrates and 25 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 395 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 26 g |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
