Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe

Deliciously easy Thai Peanut Chicken

This easy Peanut Butter Chicken recipe is a QUICK one-skillet dinner thatโ€™s huge on flavor, low on effort and belongs in your easy weeknight dinner arsenal. Itโ€™s loaded with tender, juicy chicken swimming in the most intoxicating, lusciously creamy, wonderfully fragrant, comforting peanut sauce infused with garlic, ginger, basil, lime juice and coconut milk.  This Peanut Sauce Chicken also earns major points because itโ€™s made with 100% pantry friendly ingredients โ€“ even the aromatics are powders!  You can enjoy this Peanut Butter Chicken plain or add in any desired veggies you have on hand.  Serve Peanut Butter Chicken over rice, cauliflower rice, zoodles, sweet potatoes, etc. loaded with contrasting mangos or pineapple and let your eyes roll back with each sublimely satisfying bite.  

top view of peanut butter chicken in a skillet with a wood serving spoon showing how creamy the peanut chicken is


 

One skillet Peanut Butter Chicken

Peanut Butter Chicken = chicken satay + peanut sauce all in one skillet!

People often ask me what my favorite type of food is.  Although I LOVE so many cuisines, my answer is always Thai food.  The layers of complex flavors create an adept balance of savory, salty, sweet and sour in every bite. Iโ€™m a fan.  HUGE fan. In fact, we have celebrated every major event at a Thai restaurant from my college graduation, to our wedding engagement to lung transplant anniversaries. 

As a fan, I love creating Thai food at home from  Red Curry ChickenChicken Pad ThaiPanang Curry, Green Curry, Yellow CurryThai Chicken Noodle Soup, Coconut Curry and Tom Kha Gai, just to name a few, but perhaps my most favorite of all is Chicken Satay!

And of course, Chicken Satay is all about the creamy peanut sauce exploding with layers of complex, multi-dimensional flavor โ€“ donโ€™t you just want to inhale the sauce?!  And now you can!  This Peanut Sauce Chicken is everything you love about peanut butter in all its nutty, luscious glory and Thai food infused with ginger, garlic, coconut and lime. The resulting Peanut Butter Chicken is creamy, tangy, salty, savory and as spicy as you like it. It is LIFE.

I love peanut sauce so much Iโ€™ve used it in chicken lettuce wrapsskillet chicken thighs, Thai chicken pizza,  pineapple chicken satay and chicken stir fries but now itโ€™s time for the EASIEST version of peanut sauce โ€“ this wickedly addicting, intoxicatingly creamy Peanut Butter Chicken!  Every since I used in my Thai Chicken Tacos six years ago, Iโ€™ve been wanting adapt it to a skillet version โ€“ and this Thai Peanut Chicken was worth the wait!

To make this Peanut Butter Chicken, bite size pieces of chicken are coated in ground ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, coriander and turmeric, then browned in a skillet.  At this point, you can add any veggies your heart desires.  Next, a simple sauce of coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, Asian chili sauce and basil is added.  Then prepare to fall in love!

Why we love this Peanut Sauce Chicken

  • Family friendly:ย ย everyone LOVES peanut butter!ย  Please the kiddos with family friendly peanut butter and please the adults with the multi-dimensional, hypnotic sauce.
  • QUICK and easy:ย ย chop your chicken and toss in seasonings, whisk your sauce together and cook!ย 
  • Simple ingredients:ย ย this Thai Peanut Chicken uses pantry staples so you can make it any time โ€“ you probably have everything you need right now!
  • Customizable:ย ย add veggies, add more or less heat, add or top with fruit such as pineapple or mangos, and serve over anything your heart desires โ€“ or your pantry allows.ย  You can even create Peanut Chicken Bowls or serve in tacos with mango salsa or pineapple salsa.
  • FLAVOR!ย  the chicken is first seasoned to perfection with hand-picked seasonings then simmered in the sauce so it soaks up the symphony of flavor before the crowning creamy, nutty, addition of peanut butter.
    side view of peanut sauce chicken in a skillet showing how to garnish with cilantro, red chilis and lime juice
    ingredient icon

    Thai Peanut Chicken ingredients

    The ingredients for Peanut Sauce Chicken should be pantry staples if you do much Asian cooking. If not, they can easily be found at your grocery store. The list might seem lengthy, but all the ingredients are just whisked together – easy, peasy!

    FOR THE CHICKEN: 

    You can use either chicken thighs or chicken breasts for this Peanut Butter Chicken but I suggest chicken thighs for the juiciest results.

    • Boneless skinless chicken thighs:ย are dark meat and therefore inherently juicier and hard to overcook. Thighs are the best option for maximum flavor and tenderness.
    • Boneless skinless chicken breasts:ย ย are leaner than chicken thighs but still will work, the only problem is I find the flavor remains on the outside of the breasts.ย  If you really want flavorful chicken breasts, season the chicken as instructed then add ⅓ cup of the sauce to the chicken and let marinate 30 minutes or so at room temperature.ย  When ready to cook, simply dump the chicken with the marinade and all the sauce into the skillet and cook through.

      FOR THE PEANUT SAUCE: 

      The star of this Thai Peanut Chicken is undoubtably the peanut sauce.  Thai food is all about the balance of sweet, savory, salty and sour and this sauce is perfection.  You will need:

      • peanut butter:ย  adds a nutty earthiness and creaminess that marries all the ingredients together. You can use smooth OR crunchy peanut butter.
      • coconut milk:ย if you want to instantly elevate your Thai food, use Chaokoh coconut milk โ€“ my absolute favorite brand (Not a paid endorsement)! ย I love it so much that when my grocery store stopped carrying it, I started purchasing it on Amazon.ย  Chaokoh is creamier than any other brand Iโ€™ve tried by FAR and therefore results in the most lusciously creamy, comforting saucesย ever.ย 
      • soy sauce:ย ย grounds the sauce.ย  Please use low sodium soy sauce so your sauce isnโ€™t too salty.ย 
      • brown sugar:ย ย adds sweetness to balance the soy, lime juice and fish sauce. You may need more or less brown sugar depending on your personal preferences and your brand of peanut butter.
      • fish sauce:ย I promise fish sauce will not be detectable or make your Peanut Butter Chicken taste fishy!ย  It simply adds the balance of savory and salty flavor.ย  You may substitute fish sauce with soy sauce if you donโ€™t keep it stocked โ€“ but you will want to pick some up if you plan on doing more Thai cooking in the future.ย 
      • lime juice:ย you may use fresh or bottled lime juice but go fresh if you can. I will freeze lime juice in cubes so I always have some on hand.
      • garlic: ย most of the seasonings are used as a rub and added to the chicken directly before it is seared, so all you need are powders! Use more or less garlic powder depending on your garlic love or you can stir in more garlic powder into the sauce at the end of cooking.
      • ginger:ย adds a warm spicy, almost pepper taste.
      • ground coriander:ย adds a toasty, lemony citrus flavor that I use to mimic lemongrass.
      • turmeric:ย adds gingery, punchy, earthy undertones.
      • basil:ย  dried basil is added to the sauce and not to the chicken so it doesnโ€™t burn when browning the chicken.ย  Basil adds a layer of savory, peppery and slightly minty flavor.ย I used dried basil for convenience but you are welcome to use fresh, chopped basil (about ยผ cup) and add it the last few minutes of cooking. ย 
      • Asian chili sauce:ย ย adds a little heat and rounds out the flavors.ย  You can customize the spice level by adding additional chili sauce to taste. If you arenโ€™t sure how much to add, you can start with less then stir in more at the end if needed. If your Peanut Chicken is missing something, it is probably heat/
      • cornstarch: ย is my secret to gorgeously thick Peanut Butter Chicken.ย  While cornstarch definitely isnโ€™t authentic to curry, it is a fabulous trick Iโ€™ve discovered and use in all of my curry recipes to create a creamier sauce โ€“ it will BLOW YOUR MIND how creamy it gets!ย 
        showing what to serve with Thai peanut chicken by showing chicken in a bowl over rice with garnish bowls of chili sauce, peanuts, limes

        Peanut Chicken Recipe variations

        You can customize the Peanut Butter Chicken to suit your personal tastes. You can can make it spicier, sweeter, savorier, tangier, less tangy, etc.ย  Hereโ€™s how:

        • For sweeter:ย Add more brown sugar
        • For saltier: Add more fish sauce or soy sauce
        • For tangier:ย  Add more lime juice
        • For spicier: Add chili sauce
        • For thinner: Add coconut milk or water
        • Forย thicker:ย  Add a cornstarch slurry
        showing how to make peanut butter chicken by browning chicken tossed in seasonings in a skillet
        • Simmer sauce. Add Sauce and simmer until chicken is cooked through and sauce is thickened, 3-5 minutes.
        showing how to make peanut butter chicken by simmering until thickened
        • Add peanut butter.  Stir in peanut butter until melted.
        showing how to make peanut butter chicken by stirring in peanut butter
        • Garnish!  Taste and season with additional chili sauce or lime juice.  Garnish with plenty of cilantro and crushed peanuts and serve with refreshing fruit such as mango or pineapple.
        up close of a spoonful peanut sauce chicken showing how creamy it is

        Peanut Chicken Recipe tips

        This Peanut Butter Sauce Chicken is pretty straightforward but here is a summary of helpful tips:

        • Donโ€™t overcook chicken.ย  For the juiciest chicken, donโ€™t overcook! ย Brown it in the skillet but let it finish cooking in the sauce.
        • Use chicken thighs.ย  Are juicier and more flavorful than chicken thighs. If you use chicken breasts, marinate per tips in post.ย 
        • Use commercial peanut butter.ย  While natural peanut butter has a stronger peanut flavor, commercial peanut butter such as Jif or Skippy contain sugar and other additives that add more flavor and create a creamier, more cohesive sauce.
        • Add peanut butter to taste.ย  You can use 1/3-½ cup peanut butter, depending on your personal preference. ย 
        top view of a bowl of Thai Peanut Chicken showing how to garnish with crushed peanuts and cilantro

        RICE/NOODLE OPTIONS:

        • Rice. I prefer jasmine rice or brown rice but any rice will work.  Just pop the rice in your rice cooker for a hands off, easy side. You can also use microwave rice pouches if youโ€™re making a serving for one or meal prep.  Pineapple Rice is also fabulous!
        • Noodles.  Rice vermicelli, ramen, soba noodles, rice noodles or even linguine are a fun way to mix things up! 
        • Low carb.  Cauliflower rice, quinoa, broccoli rice or a blend of brown rice and any of the aforementioned options.  You can also use low carb noodles such as zoodles or spaghetti squash.

        FRUIT AND VEGGIES:

        Appetizers

            up close of Peanut Butter Sauce Chicken in a bowl with cilantro and mango

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            ยฉCarlsbad Cravings by CarlsbadCravings.com

            Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe

            This easy Peanut Butter Chicken recipe is a QUICK one-skillet dinner thatโ€™s huge on flavor, low on effort and belongs in your easy weeknight dinner arsenal. Itโ€™s loaded with tender, juicy chicken swimming in the most intoxicating, lusciously creamy, wonderfully fragrant, comforting peanut sauce infused with garlic, ginger, basil, lime juice and coconut milk. This Peanut Sauce Chicken also earns major points because itโ€™s made with 100% pantry friendly ingredients โ€“ even the aromatics are powders! You can enjoy this Peanut Butter Chicken plain or add in any desired veggies you have on hand. Serve Peanut Butter Chicken over rice, cauliflower rice, zoodles, sweet potatoes, etc. loaded with contrasting mangos or pineapple and let your eyes roll back with each sublimely satisfying bite.
            Servings: 4 -6 servings
            Total Time: 20 minutes
            Prep Time: 5 minutes
            Cook Time: 15 minutes

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            Ingredients

            CHICKEN

            • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless thighs chopped into 1 1/2-2โ€ pieces
            • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
            • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
            • 1/2 tsp EACH ground coriander, turmeric powder, pepper

            SAUCE

            ADD LATER

            • 1/3 cup smooth or crunchy peanut butter
            • crushed peanuts
            • cilantro
            • chopped mango or pineapple

            Instructions

            • Add chicken seasonings to a large bowl and whisk to combine; add chicken and stir to evenly coat; set aside.
            • In a medium bowl, whisk the Sauce ingredients together; set aside.
            • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot and rippling. Add chicken and cook until opaque (chicken will not be cooked through).
            • Add Sauce and simmer until chicken is cooked through and Sauce is thickened, 3-5 minutes. Stir in peanut butter until melted.
            • Taste and season with additional chili sauce or lime juice. Garnish with plenty of cilantro and crushed peanuts and serve with rice and refreshing fruit such as mango or pineapple.

            Notes

            TIPS and Tricksย 

            • Coconut milk.ย  Ifย you want to instantly elevate your Thai food, use Chaokoh coconut milk โ€“ my absolute favorite brand (Not a paid endorsement)!ย  ย Chaokoh is creamier than any other brand Iโ€™ve tried by FAR and therefore results in the most lusciously creamy, comforting sauces ever.ย 
            • Full-fat coconut milk.ย  I recommend full fat coconut milk as light coconut milk simply isnโ€™t as thick or flavorful so youโ€™re missing out on both flavor and texture.ย  If you do use light coconut milk, I suggest adding an additional ½ tablespoon cornstarch to help thicken it up.
            • Donโ€™t overcook chicken.ย  For the juiciest chicken, donโ€™t overcook! ย Brown it in the skillet but let it finish cooking in the sauce.
            • Use chicken thighs.ย  Are juicier and more flavorful than chicken thighs. If you use chicken breasts, marinate per tips in post.ย 
            • Use commercial peanut butter.ย  While natural peanut butter has a stronger peanut flavor, commercial peanut butter such as Jif or Skippy contain sugar and other additives that add more flavor and create a creamier, more cohesive sauce.
            • Add peanut butter to taste.ย  You can use 1/3-½ cup peanut butter depending on your personal preference. ย 
            • Serve with fruit.ย  I highly encourage you to serve Peanut Sauce Chicken with either chopped mangos or pineapple. The bright, refreshing fruit cuts through the rich, creamy, savory, salty chicken.
            • Prep ahead.ย  Chop the chicken and toss with seasonings and store in an airtight container.ย  Whisk the sauce ingredients together (aside from peanut butter) and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.ย  Make sure to whisk the sauce again before using.
            • Storage.ย  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

            HOW TO FREEZE

            This Thai Peanut Chicken freezes very well:ย 
            • Let the Peanut Butter Chicken cool.
            • Transfer it to an airtight container or plastic freezer bag and squeeze out any excess air.
            • Label and freeze for 2 to 3 months.ย 
            • Defrost in the refrigerator before using.

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            55 Comments

            1. Sue from WA says

              With online recipes so easily available I find that I rarely make the same thing twice, with the clear exception of this (and your Hawaiian Sloppy Joes!) My husband absolutely loves it, and always comments on it! I change it up with a variety of veggies added in, but always finish with either mango or pineapple. This recipe is easy, never fail, and absolutely amazing!

              • Jen says

                So happy to hear this is a repeat recipe- Yay! Thank you so much, Sue! ๐Ÿ™‚

            2. Grace says

              Can someone tell me if the fruit is a side dish or added to the peanut butter chicken dish?

            3. Sara says

              OMG, this is SUPER DELICIOUS! The prep time took me longer than estimated, but that’s typical for me. I served this over sweet potatoes and topped my serving with pineapple. Even my incredibly picky husband who doesn’t like anything “different” said it tasted good. I will definitely be making this again!

              • Jen says

                Thank you!! I’m so glad that you and your husband enjoyed it!

            4. Iris Kent says

              I live alone and would love to see some recipes for one or two people. Yes, I cut down recipes all the time but it is a pain, Also the amount of sodium in some recipes is just too much but of course that is where the flavor comes from.
              Everything you make looks soooo good!

              • Jen says

                Thank you! I hope you give some recipes a try! This recipe freezes very well, so you can save the extras for a rainy day!

            5. Cara says

              I’ve made this several times. This last time, I made it with shrimp. Very good! Great, versatile recipe.

              • Jen says

                I am so glad it has been easy to work with!

            6. Sharon Pollinger says

              I just checked out the Coconut Milk on Amazon. Which one do you use the Coconut Milk, OR the Coconut Cream?

              Thanks ๐Ÿ™‚

              • Jen says

                Hi Sharon, thanks so much for stopping by! I use Coconut milk in this recipe ๐Ÿ™‚

            7. Marge says

              I made this today and got all the ingredients even the coconut milk you suggested. I shook the can vigorously before opening but it seemed curdled. Is that normal? I used it anyway but the dish seemed a little gritty and not creamy. It was okay but not very good. Your recipes are always great but we were disappointed with this dish. Do you think it was the coconut milk?

              • Jen says

                Hi Marge! I am sorry to hear that you didn’t have the best results! It does seem like the coconut milk had some issues because it should be creamy. It’s always a bummer when recipes don’t turn out the way you expected! I hope you do try this recipe again because it is one that I really love!

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