Satay skewers: the benchmark of authentic Thai food! Think deeply marinated chicken with a peanut sauce that’s so good, everyone will be begging for the recipe. Serve this with steamed jasmine or Coconut Rice. Don’t skimp on Thai food—try Thai Fried Rice, Pad See Ew, or Thai Chilli Basil Stir Fry at a Thai restaurant!
Peanut butter chicken is a tasty dish that combines crispy chicken with a creamy, savory peanut sauce. This unusual flavor combination might sound strange, but it’s really good! The nutty, umami peanut sauce goes well with the juicy chicken. This easy peanut butter chicken recipe can be made at home with just a few simple ingredients.
In Africa and Asia, peanuts and peanut butter are commonly used in cooking. The dish made its way to North America and became popular at Chinese-American restaurants. The rich, salty peanut flavor goes surprisingly well with chicken. You shouldn’t judge a dish by its name until you give it a try. This protein-rich dish has become a favorite for home-cooked meals.
Smooth peanut butter, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, chili-garlic sauce, and other spices are called for in this recipe. You can use chicken breasts or thighs. After a quick marinade, the chicken is sautéed until golden brown. Next, the tasty peanut sauce is mixed in right in the skillet. When it’s hot, it’s ready to serve over white or brown rice.
Making peanut butter chicken is easy since the sauce comes together in just minutes. Keep reading to learn step-by-step how to make this restaurant-worthy meal in your own kitchen.
Benefits of Peanut Butter Chicken
There are many good reasons to add peanut butter chicken into your dinner rotation:
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It’s budget-friendly. Chicken and peanut butter are both affordable ingredients. This recipe stretches them into an elegant, gourmet-tasting meal.
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It’s packed with protein. Each serving has over 30g of protein thanks to the boneless chicken breasts and healthy peanut butter. This makes it extra filling and satisfying.
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The sauce is so versatile. Leftover peanut sauce is amazing drizzled over grains, noodles, roasted veggies, tofu, or salads.
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It’s customizable. Swap in different proteins or vegetables to adapt this recipe to your tastes.
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It’s kid-approved. The mildly sweet peanut butter sauce is a hit with kids and adults alike. The tender chicken also appeals to picky eaters.
Now that you know why this recipe is so great, let’s get cooking! Keep reading for tips on preparing the ingredients and putting it all together.
Ingredients Needed
Peanut butter chicken calls for just a handful of ingredients:
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Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – You can use thighs if preferred. Dice or slice them into bite-sized pieces.
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Peanut butter – Use smooth or crunchy. Crunchy will add extra texture.
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Soy sauce – For salty flavor. Use tamari for a gluten-free option.
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Brown sugar – Adds a subtle sweetness that complements the peanut butter.
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Garlic – Minced or grated fresh garlic amps up the flavor.
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Ginger – Fresh ginger provides a little zing. Ground ginger works too.
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Chili-garlic sauce – Brings heat and chili flavor. Sriracha can sub in.
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Chicken broth – Use in the sauce for extra moisture and flavor.
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Vegetable oil – For sautéing the chicken until crispy.
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Rice – White or brown rice are perfect bases for serving peanut butter chicken over.
That covers the key ingredients! Now let’s go over the easy method for putting it all together.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make restaurant-worthy peanut butter chicken at home:
1. Prep the chicken
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Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes or bite-sized strips. This ensures they cook quickly and absorb all the sauce.
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Pat dry with paper towels. Having the chicken very dry helps it get crispy in the pan.
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Season with a little salt and pepper. This adds flavor right from the start.
2. Cook the chicken
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Heat 1 Tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Working in batches, add the chicken pieces to the hot pan in a single layer, being careful not to crowd them.
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Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown on both sides and cooked through.
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Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate. Repeat with remaining chicken, adding more oil as needed.
3. Make the peanut sauce
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In the same pan, sauté 2-3 minced garlic cloves for 1 minute until fragrant.
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Whisk together:
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1⁄2 cup peanut butter
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1⁄4 cup soy sauce (or tamari)
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2 Tbsp brown sugar
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1 Tbsp chili-garlic sauce (or sriracha)
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1⁄2 cup chicken broth
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Add the sauce to the pan and let it come to a simmer.
4. Finish the dish
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Return the cooked chicken pieces to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce.
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Let simmer for 2-3 minutes until the chicken absorbs the sauce.
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Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
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Serve peanut butter chicken hot over cooked white or brown rice. Garnish with chopped peanuts, green onions, cilantro, or sesame seeds.
That’s it! In around 30 minutes, you can have this scrumptious peanut butter chicken ready to enjoy. The recipe scales up easily for feeding a crowd. Simply double the ingredients as needed.
Cooking Tips for the Best Results
Here are some handy tips to ensure your peanut butter chicken comes out perfectly:
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Use very lean, boneless chicken breasts to keep the dish light. Skinless thighs also work well.
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Cut the chicken into small, evenly-sized pieces so it cooks through at the same rate.
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Pat the chicken very dry before cooking for optimal browning.
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Don’t crowd the pan when cooking the chicken. Work in batches for even cooking.
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Use smooth peanut butter or peanut butter powder for the best texture.
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Add chili-garlic sauce to taste based on how spicy you want the dish to be.
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Simmer the sauce just until heated through so it doesn’t separate.
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Let the chicken soak up the sauce for a few minutes before serving.
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Fluff up the rice before serving peanut butter chicken over the top.
With these handy tips in mind, you’re ready to make this yummy peanut butter chicken!
Serving Suggestions
Peanut butter chicken tastes amazing when served over a bed of hot, fluffy rice. White or brown rice both pair nicely. For a low-carb option, cauliflower rice is fantastic too.
Here are more tasty serving ideas:
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Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts, green onions, cilantro, or sesame seeds.
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Pair with steamed broccoli, bok choy, or snap peas on the side.
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Serve with chilled cabbage slaw or a crisp Asian-style salad.
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Stuff into lettuce wraps or pita pockets for fun handheld meals.
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Enjoy peanut butter chicken in a bowl with udon noodles or ramen.
Leftovers (if you have any!) are fantastic stuffed into sandwiches or lettuce wraps. The possibilities are endless!
FAQs
If you’re new to cooking with peanut butter, chances are you have a few questions about making peanut butter chicken. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What kind of peanut butter should I use?
The best peanut butter for this recipe is smooth. Crunchy also works if you want extra texture. Stick with natural peanut butter rather than heavily sweetened versions.
Can I use peanut butter powder?
Yes, peanut butter powder is a smart substitute, especially for lower calorie or keto diets. Use the same amount of powder as you would smooth peanut butter.
Is peanut butter chicken spicy?
This dish can be mild or spicy depending on your preference. For mild flavor, use less chili-garlic sauce. For extra heat, add more or use sriracha instead.
What protein can I use instead of chicken?
You can easily adapt this recipe by swapping in shrimp, tofu, pork, or beef. Just adjust the cook times as needed.
Can I meal prep peanut butter chicken?
Absolutely! This recipe makes terrific leftovers for meal prepping. Store the cooked chicken and sauce together in containers for easy reheating throughout the week.
Can I freeze peanut butter chicken?
Yes, it freezes well for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Add a splash of broth when reheating if the sauce seems dry.
Enjoy Restaurant-Worthy Peanut Butter Chicken Any Night
Now you’re ready to wow your family with this scrumptious homemade peanut butter chicken! With juicy chicken smothered in a salty-sweet peanut sauce, it’s so satisfying and full of flavor. Serve it over hot rice for a meal that tastes like it came from a restaurant but takes just 30 minutes to make at home. This protein-packed dinner will become a regular rotation in your weeknight recipe arsenal.
Cooking the Chicken Skewers
Chicken satay is a summertime favourite to cook on the BBQ. But I usually cook it on the stove for convenience.
For a really authentic Thai experience, cook the Chicken Satay over charcoal like it’s done in Thailand!
For a fresh side salad, try this Asian Slaw, or use this Asian Sesame Dressing for a fresh salad or steamed vegetables.
This is my own recipe, but it comes from a number of Thai cookbooks and well-known Thai food experts, such as David Thompson and Sujet Saenkham, who owns the popular Spice I Am restaurants. Except I’ve made this recipe so it’s accessible to everyday cooks – without compromising! .
How to make Thai Peanut Sauce
Thai Peanut Sauce is almost unbelievably simple to make. It’s literally just a 5 minute plonk-and-simmer job:
- coconut milk
- red curry paste
- cider or white vinegar (not lime juice!)
- pure peanut butter (see below for more info)
- soy sauce
- sugar
- cooking or kosher salt (half the amount if you only have table salt, which is less fine) That is, 1/2 teaspoon of table salt is equal to 1 teaspoon of cooking salt or kosher salt.
For the BEST Thai Peanut Sauce, use natural peanut butter
Even though store-bought peanut butter spread is fine, use pure peanut butter to make Thai Peanut Sauce that tastes just as good as the sauce at your favorite Thai restaurant. You’ll find it in the health food section of most supermarket nowadays.
Pure peanut butter is made with JUST peanuts – no sugar, oil or other additives – so the peanut flavour is stronger.
Also, real peanut butter is thinner than store-bought peanut butter spreads (see below), which means you need less water to thin the sauce. This means that Thai Peanut Sauce tastes better with peanuts!
Ahead of publishing this recipe, I tried the Thai Peanut Sauce with natural pure peanut butter vs commercial peanut butter (Kraft, now Bega) side by side to confirm this!
I’m a firm believer that Chicken Satay skewers should be tasty enough to eat on their own and the peanut sauce just takes it over the top. So I like to marinade the chicken to make it extra tasty.
Here’s what you need for the Thai Chicken Satay Marinade:
- Chicken pieces—thighs are best for making juicy skewers, but breast or tenderloin are also good.
- For my favorite brand of red curry paste, Maesri, see above.
- Curry powder – any is fine here
- Coconut milk
- sugar
- cooking salt or kosher salt—halve the amount if you only have table salt, which is less coarse. That is, 1/2 teaspoon of table salt is equal to 1 teaspoon of cooking salt or kosher salt.
It’s best to marinade for at least 3 hours but even 20 minutes is long enough.
