Liven up your weeknight dinners with this flavorful Peanut Chicken Recipe that even picky eaters will love.
Peanut chicken is commonly associated with Southeast Asian cuisine. I first fell in love with the tasty dish at TAO, a popular Asian fusion eatery in New York. While it was served as chicken satay with peanut dipping sauce, the flavors in this recipe are practically identical. I made this delicious dish when I was out of healthy ideas for my picky kids. Everyone in my house is obsessed with peanut butter, so why not try to incorporate it into dinner?
While peanut butter is the main ingredient in the sauce, there are distinctive hints of ginger, garlic, and honey, with a nice crunch from crushed peanuts. The chicken is cut into bite-sized pieces, and what I absolutely love about that is it means there is no guessing if the chicken is cooked through all the way. The pieces all cook rather quickly.
Aside from being delicious and quick, it is also the perfect meal prep dish. I would love to say that I am diligent with meal prep every single Sunday and Wednesday, but that would be a lie. However, if you are a meal prep person, I am jealous of you and can honestly say that this peanut chicken is a great option for your weekly rotation. Peanut chicken also comes together in one large skillet, so cleanup is a breeze.
Is This Peanut Chicken Recipe Healthy?
Peanuts and chicken are both high in protein. This could be a great keto meal if you skip the honey and use all-natural peanut butter with no sugar added. To make the dish vegan, swap out the chicken, chicken broth, and honey for tofu, veggie broth, and agave, respectively. To make this dish a bit more wholesome, serve it with brown rice and add a green vegetable such as broccoli.
Nailing The Chicken
My dad is a chef, and the best cooking trick he taught me was to start with a hot pan and then turn down the heat. This is especially true for browning chicken. Allow your pan and oil to get nice and hot, then toss the chicken in and sear it on each side for about a minute before turning down the temperature to medium. The browning and caramelization process (also known as the Maillard reaction) works best with no cover on the pan.
Another tip that has saved me so much time is to use kitchen scissors when preparing chicken in cubes or bites. You’re welcome.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Peanut chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat from the fridge, toss the chicken and sauce back into a pan over medium heat. To reheat from the freezer, allow the chicken to thaw first, then reheat.
Serving Suggestions
Traditionally, peanut chicken is served over white rice, but try to jazz it up with Cilantro-Lime Rice or for a low-carb version, go with Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice. I also love having peanut chicken with some Easy Sautéed Broccoli or Asian-Inspired Roasted Broccoli. If you plan on serving your peanut chicken as part of a larger meal, I would make some Oriental Coleslaw With Asian Dressing and these amazing Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos to accompany the dish.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- steamed rice for serving
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, for garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, red pepper flakes, chicken broth, and lime juice until smooth.
- Pour the peanut sauce over the cooked chicken in the skillet. Reduce heat to medium and let simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve the peanut chicken over steamed rice, garnished with chopped cilantro and peanuts.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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