Bring 1/2 cup water to a boil. Pour over 1⁄2 cup raw cashews and let soak for 20mins. Pour water and cashews into a blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth. Set aside.
Mince garlic.
Chop onion, celery and carrots.
Dice 2 red potatoes.
Cut chicken into 1 inch pieces.
In a large pot, heat 1 T olive oil over medium heat.
Add chicken, onion, carrots and celery to the pot and cook for about 5 minutesuntil chicken is browned and vegetables are softening. Add minced garlic, diced red potatoes, 3⁄4tsp salt, 1⁄4tsp pepper and 1⁄2 tsp thyme and stir to coat chicken and vegetables.
Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Turn heat down and simmer, covered, for 20mins, until potatoes are tender.
Remove from heat and stir in cashew cream.