How to Make Delicious Peanut Butter Chicken at Home

Peanut butter chicken is a tasty dish that combines crispy chicken with a creamy, savory peanut sauce This unique flavor combination may sound unusual, but it’s actually quite delicious! The nutty, umami peanut sauce perfectly complements the juicy chicken. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make this crowd-pleasing peanut butter chicken recipe at home.

Peanut butter chicken originated in Africa and Asia, where peanuts and peanut butter are commonly used in cooking It was brought over to North America and grew popular at Chinese-American restaurants The rich, salty peanut flavor pairs surprisingly well with chicken. While the name may sound odd, don’t knock it until you try it! The protein-packed dish has become a favorite for homemade dinners.

This recipe calls for chicken breasts or thighs along with smooth peanut butter, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, chili-garlic sauce, and other seasoning. The chicken is coated in a quick marinade then sautéed until golden brown Next, the flavorful peanut sauce is stirred together right in the skillet Once heated through, it’s ready to serve over a bed of 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:

• It’s budget-friendly. Chicken and peanut butter are both affordable ingredients. This recipe stretches them into an elegant, gourmet-tasting meal.

• It’s packed with protein. With boneless chicken breasts and nutritious peanut butter, you get over 30g of protein per serving. This makes it extra filling and satisfying.

• The sauce is so versatile. Leftover peanut sauce is amazing drizzled over grains, noodles, roasted veggies, tofu, or salads.

• It’s customizable. Swap in different proteins or vegetables to adapt this recipe to your tastes.

• 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:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – You can use thighs if preferred. Dice or slice them into bite-sized pieces.

• Peanut butter – Use smooth or crunchy. Crunchy will add extra texture.

• Soy sauce – For salty flavor. Use tamari for a gluten-free option.

• Brown sugar – Adds a subtle sweetness that complements the peanut butter.

• Garlic – Minced or grated fresh garlic amps up the flavor.

• Ginger – Fresh ginger provides a little zing. Ground ginger works too.

• Chili-garlic sauce – Brings heat and chili flavor. Sriracha can sub in.

• Chicken broth – Use in the sauce for extra moisture and flavor.

• Vegetable oil – For sautéing the chicken until crispy.

• 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

• Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes or bite-sized strips. This ensures they cook quickly and absorb all the sauce.

• Pat dry with paper towels. Having the chicken very dry helps it get crispy in the pan.

• Season with a little salt and pepper. This adds flavor right from the start.

2. Cook the chicken

• Heat 1 Tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

• Working in batches, add the chicken pieces to the hot pan in a single layer, being careful not to crowd them.

• Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown on both sides and cooked through.

• Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate. Repeat with remaining chicken, adding more oil as needed.

3. Make the peanut sauce

• In the same pan, sauté 2-3 minced garlic cloves for 1 minute until fragrant.

• Whisk together:

  • 1⁄2 cup peanut butter

  • 1⁄4 cup soy sauce (or tamari)

  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar

  • 1 Tbsp chili-garlic sauce (or sriracha)

  • 1⁄2 cup chicken broth

• Add the sauce to the pan and let it come to a simmer.

4. Finish the dish

• Return the cooked chicken pieces to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce.

• Let simmer for 2-3 minutes until the chicken absorbs the sauce.

• Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

• 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:

• Use very lean, boneless chicken breasts to keep the dish light. Skinless thighs also work well.

• Cut the chicken into small, evenly-sized pieces so it cooks through at the same rate.

• Pat the chicken very dry before cooking for optimal browning.

• Don’t crowd the pan when cooking the chicken. Work in batches for even cooking.

• Use smooth peanut butter or peanut butter powder for the best texture.

• Add chili-garlic sauce to taste based on how spicy you want the dish to be.

• Simmer the sauce just until heated through so it doesn’t separate.

• Let the chicken soak up the sauce for a few minutes before serving.

• 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:

• Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts, green onions, cilantro, or sesame seeds.

• Pair with steamed broccoli, bok choy, or snap peas on the side.

• Serve with chilled cabbage slaw or a crisp Asian-style salad.

• Stuff into lettuce wraps or pita pockets for fun handheld meals.

• 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.