Chef John's Cashew Chicken

Ingredients (17)

• + 2 grilled skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces add to pantry
• + 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste add to pantry
• + 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste add to pantry
• + 1 tablespoon cornstarch add to pantry
• ✓ ½ cup cold water
• + 1 lemon, juiced add to pantry
• + 1 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar add to pantry
• + 1 tablespoon ketchup add to pantry
• ✓ 1 tablespoon soy sauce, or more to taste
• + 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar add to pantry
• + 2 teaspoons Asian chile pepper sauce (such as sambal oelek) add to pantry
• ✓ 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• + 1 fresh hot red chile pepper, sliced add to pantry
• + 6 thin slices fresh ginger root add to pantry
• + ½ cup dry-roasted cashews add to pantry
• + 2 cloves garlic, sliced add to pantry
• + ¼ cup chopped cilantro add to pantry