Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken Meal Prep (Print Version)
Cashew chicken made on one pan with tender chicken, crunchy cashews, and bold sauce. High protein meal prep ready in under 40 minutes.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Dietary: Dairy-Free
# Ingredients:
→ Protein & Veggie Base
01 -
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 -
2 cups broccoli florets
03 -
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks
04 -
1 cup snap peas, trimmed
05 -
1 cup whole roasted unsalted cashews
→ Sticky Savory Glaze
06 -
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
07 -
3 tbsp hoisin sauce
08 -
2 tbsp honey
09 -
1 tbsp rice vinegar
10 -
1 tbsp sesame oil
11 -
1 tsp cornstarch
→ Aromatic Flavor Builders
12 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
13 -
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
14 -
2 tbsp avocado oil
15 -
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
16 -
Salt and pepper to taste
→ Fresh Finish & Garnish
17 -
3 green onions, thinly sliced
18 -
1 tsp sesame seeds, for garnish
# Instructions:
01 -
Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper or foil. Lightly grease with 1 tbsp of avocado oil. A hot oven is the secret to getting perfectly caramelized edges on this Easy Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken: High Protein Meal Prep.
02 -
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 3 tbsp hoisin sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and 1 tsp cornstarch until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and the glaze is smooth with no lumps remaining.
03 -
In a large bowl, combine the 2 lbs cubed chicken breast, 2 cups broccoli florets, 1 red bell pepper chunks, and 1 cup trimmed snap peas. Add 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 1 tbsp avocado oil, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss well to coat everything evenly.
04 -
Pour the sticky savory glaze over the seasoned chicken and vegetables. Toss thoroughly until every piece is well coated. For the best Easy Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken: High Protein Meal Prep results, make sure the glaze reaches all the chicken cubes for maximum flavor in every bite.
05 -
Spread the glazed chicken and vegetable mixture in a single, even layer across the prepared sheet pan. Avoid overcrowding — use two sheet pans if needed. Overcrowding causes steaming instead of roasting, which will prevent that gorgeous caramelized finish on your Easy Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken: High Protein Meal Prep.
06 -
Roast at 425°F for 20–25 minutes, flipping the chicken and vegetables halfway through at the 12-minute mark. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the edges are slightly caramelized. The vegetables should be tender-crisp with light charring on the tips.
07 -
Remove the pan from the oven and immediately scatter 1 cup whole roasted unsalted cashews over the top. The residual heat will warm the cashews without burning them. Adding cashews at the end keeps them perfectly crunchy — a key texture element in this Easy Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken: High Protein Meal Prep.
08 -
Transfer to serving bowls or meal prep containers. Top with 3 thinly sliced green onions and 1 tsp sesame seeds for a fresh, nutty finish. Serve over steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles. Each serving delivers a satisfying, protein-packed meal ready in under 35 minutes total.
# Notes:
01 -
🥡 Meal Prep Storage: Divide into 4 airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. For best texture, store the cashews separately and add them just before eating to keep them crunchy and prevent sogginess.
02 -
🔄 Protein Substitution: Boneless skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in place of chicken breast and stay even juicier during roasting. Simply increase cook time by 3–5 minutes and confirm an internal temperature of 165°F.
03 -
🌶️ Adjust the Heat: If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the red pepper flakes to 1/4 tsp or omit entirely. For extra heat, add 1 tsp of chili garlic sauce or sriracha directly into the sticky savory glaze before coating.
04 -
🍚 Serving Suggestion: This dish pairs perfectly with jasmine rice or brown rice for a complete high-protein meal. For a lower-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice or alongside steamed edamame to keep the macros lean and satisfying.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
large sheet pan
02 -
parchment paper
03 -
mixing bowls
04 -
whisk
05 -
sharp knife
06 -
cutting board
07 -
microplane or grater
08 -
oven
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 520 kcal
Total Fat: 22 g
Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
Protein: 52 g