This thai peanut chicken is one of our favorite quick dinners, tender chicken in a creamy, savory peanut sauce that comes together in about twenty five minutes. For us that kind of fast, flavorful comfort is exactly what real food for real life is about. It is the kind of dinner that tastes like a treat from a favorite spot yet comes together in minutes, tender chicken coated in a creamy, savory peanut sauce that is impossible not to love.
Bite sized chicken is browned, then simmered in a simple sauce of peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic, and coconut milk until rich and glossy. This thai peanut chicken is creamy, savory, and a little sweet, perfect over rice or noodles with a sprinkle of peanuts and cilantro. Browning bite sized chicken and then simmering it in a quick sauce of peanut butter, soy, garlic, and coconut milk builds a rich, glossy, savory and slightly sweet dish in no time.
Tender chicken in a creamy, savory peanut sauce makes this thai peanut chicken a fast, flavorful weeknight dinner.
Why You Will Love This Thai Peanut Chicken
- Quick and easy. Just a handful of ingredients and about twenty five minutes.
- Creamy peanut sauce. Peanut butter, soy, and coconut milk make a rich, savory sauce.
- Simple ingredients. A short pantry list comes together into bold flavor.
- Versatile. Great over rice, noodles, or with vegetables.
- Family favorite. The creamy, nutty sauce is a hit with all ages.
What Makes This Thai Peanut Chicken So Good
A great thai peanut chicken starts with browning the chicken so it picks up color and savory flavor before the sauce goes in. Cooking it through first keeps it juicy and ready to coat. Browning the chicken first lets it pick up color and savory flavor before the sauce goes in, and cooking it through keeps it juicy and ready to soak up the peanut sauce.
A quick sauce of peanut butter, soy sauce, and coconut milk simmered with garlic comes together into a smooth, glossy, savory sauce with a touch of natural sweetness from the coconut milk. Simmering peanut butter, soy sauce, and coconut milk with garlic melts everything into a smooth, glossy, savory sauce, with the coconut milk lending a gentle natural sweetness.
The key to this thai peanut chicken is returning the chicken to the sauce and letting it simmer briefly so every piece is coated and the sauce thickens to cling beautifully to the chicken. Returning the chicken to the sauce and letting it simmer briefly is what coats every piece and thickens the sauce so it clings beautifully to the chicken.
Optional Pro Tip: Loosen the Sauce as Needed
If the peanut sauce gets too thick, whisk in a splash of warm water or extra coconut milk until it is smooth and glossy. For the best thai peanut chicken, use natural peanut butter for a richer, less sweet sauce, and taste before adding any extra salt since soy sauce adds its own. If the sauce gets too thick, a splash of warm water or extra coconut milk loosens it back to smooth and glossy, and natural peanut butter gives a richer, less sweet result.
Tips for the Best Thai Peanut Chicken
Brown the chicken well so the thai peanut chicken has savory depth, and cut it into even, bite sized pieces so it cooks quickly. Browning the chicken well gives the dish savory depth, and cutting it into even, bite sized pieces helps it cook quickly and evenly.
Whisk the sauce until smooth and simmer just until it coats the chicken. Loosen with a little water if it gets too thick. Whisking the sauce until smooth and simmering just until it coats the chicken keeps it silky, and a little water loosens it if it tightens up too much.
Variations and Add Ins
- Spicy. Add sriracha, red pepper flakes, or a spoonful of chili paste.
- Saucier. Double the sauce for serving over noodles or rice.
- With veggies. Add bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas.
- Lime and ginger. Add fresh ginger and a squeeze of lime for brightness.
- Tofu. Swap the chicken for tofu for a meatless version.
How to Store and Make Ahead
Store leftover thai peanut chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The sauce stays rich and flavorful. Stored airtight, the sauce stays rich and flavorful for a few days, making this a comforting, savory meal to look forward to again as a quick lunch.
Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or coconut milk to loosen the sauce, which thickens as it sits. A splash of water or coconut milk stirred in while reheating loosens the sauce, which thickens as it sits, bringing it right back to creamy and glossy.
Serving Suggestions for Thai Peanut Chicken
Serve this over jasmine rice or noodles, with steamed or stir fried vegetables on the side, finished with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro. A squeeze of lime brightens it up. Spooned over jasmine rice or noodles with steamed or stir fried vegetables alongside, and finished with chopped peanuts, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime, it becomes a complete, vibrant meal.
The sauce here is a quick take on peanut sauce, a creamy condiment of ground peanuts widely used across Southeast Asian cooking, as described in this overview of peanut sauce. That savory, nutty base is the heart of this thai peanut chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions
What peanut butter is best?
Natural creamy peanut butter gives the richest, least sweet sauce. Regular creamy peanut butter works too. Natural creamy peanut butter gives the richest, least sweet sauce, though regular creamy peanut butter works well too if that is what you have.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes. Boneless thighs stay especially juicy. Cut them into bite sized pieces and cook to 165 F. Boneless thighs stay especially juicy, so they are a great option, just cut them into bite sized pieces so they cook quickly and evenly.
How do I keep the sauce smooth?
Whisk the peanut butter into the warm liquids, and loosen with a splash of water or coconut milk if it gets too thick. Whisking the peanut butter into the warm liquids is the trick to a smooth sauce, and a splash of water or coconut milk loosens it if it gets too thick.
Is this dish spicy?
As written it is mild. Add sriracha, chili paste, or red pepper flakes for heat. As written it is mild and family friendly, so a little sriracha, chili paste, or a pinch of red pepper flakes is the easy way to add as much heat as you like.
What can I serve it over?
Jasmine rice or noodles are classic. Cauliflower rice works for a lighter option. Jasmine rice or noodles are the classic base, while cauliflower rice makes a lighter option that still soaks up all that savory peanut sauce.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes. Bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas all work well stirred into the sauce. Bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas all stir into the sauce nicely, adding color, crunch, and extra vegetables to round out the dish.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. It keeps for up to three days and reheats well with a splash of liquid to loosen the sauce. Because it reheats so well, it makes a great make ahead meal, returning to its creamy self with just a splash of liquid to loosen the sauce.
Can I freeze it?
Yes. Freeze for up to two months, then thaw and reheat gently, loosening the sauce as needed. It freezes nicely too, so cool it fully and seal it away, then thaw and reheat gently, loosening the sauce with a little water or coconut milk.
What if I do not have coconut milk?
You can use a little broth or water, though coconut milk gives the creamiest, richest sauce. A little broth or water can stand in if you are out of coconut milk, though coconut milk gives the creamiest, richest sauce.
How do I make it nut free?
Peanut sauce relies on peanuts, but you can try sunflower seed butter for a similar creamy texture. For a nut free version, sunflower seed butter offers a similar creamy texture and savory richness in place of the peanut butter.
A Fast, Flavorful Peanut Dinner
This thai peanut chicken delivers creamy, savory, slightly sweet flavor in about twenty five minutes with just a few simple ingredients. It is an easy weeknight win. It delivers creamy, savory, slightly sweet flavor in about twenty five minutes with just a few simple ingredients, an easy weeknight win.
Serve it over rice or noodles, add vegetables or a little heat, and finish with peanuts and cilantro. It is a flexible, crowd pleasing dinner you will make again and again. Serve it over rice or noodles, add vegetables or a little heat, and finish with peanuts and cilantro for a flexible, crowd pleasing dinner you will make again and again.
If you love bold, savory dishes like this, you will also enjoy our healthy orange chicken, another favorite from our kitchen.
Results vary by ingredients, equipment, and cooking conditions. Always taste and adjust seasoning as you go.
Thai Peanut Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add vegetable oil. Cook the chicken until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add minced garlic, and saute for about one minute until fragrant.
- Stir in soy sauce, peanut butter, and coconut milk; mix well.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, stirring until coated in the sauce. Let simmer for a few minutes until heated through.
- Serve warm, garnished with chopped peanuts or cilantro if desired.
Nutrition
Notes
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