Are you craving a big, satisfying bowl of those irresistible, savory, and nutty flavors from your favorite Thai restaurant? This incredible, from-scratch Spicy Peanut Chicken is your new weeknight hero! We’re talking tender, juicy chicken, all tossed in the most luscious, creamy, and perfectly balanced homemade peanut sauce you’ve ever had. It’s a “better than takeout” dream, and it’s ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish.
This isn’t just another stir-fry recipe; it’s your definitive guide to a flavor-packed, crowd-pleasing meal that is secretly simple to make. We’ll show you the crucial secrets to a flawless, non-clumpy peanut sauce and perfectly cooked chicken. This is a satisfying, one-pan (mostly!) meal that is perfect for busy nights and is guaranteed to become a new family favorite.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate ‘Better Than Takeout’ Dinner
What makes this Peanut Chicken so spectacularly delicious is its incredible, authentic-tasting sauce and its wonderfully simple preparation. This recipe is a masterpiece of classic, Asian-inspired flavors. The dish features tender, savory, bite-sized pieces of chicken breast, which are quickly seared to juicy perfection. The true star of the show, however, is the homemade spicy peanut sauce. It’s a perfect, harmonious balance of flavors: the “nutty” comes from creamy peanut butter, the “salty” from savory coconut aminos, the “sweet” from honey, the “sour” from tangy rice vinegar, and the “spicy” from a kick of ginger and red pepper flakes. This beautiful, glossy sauce is then simmered with the chicken until it’s thick, luscious, and completely irresistible.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 25 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 4 |
The Essential Ingredients for This Takeout Classic
This iconic dish uses a handful of high-quality pantry staples and fresh ingredients to create its signature vibrant and savory flavor.
- The Perfect Peanut Sauce (The Star of the Show!):
- The Peanut Butter: For the best, most authentic flavor and the smoothest consistency, it is highly recommended to use a high-quality, creamy, natural-style peanut butter (the kind where the only ingredients are peanuts and salt). However, a classic, conventional creamy peanut butter (like Jif® or Skippy®) will also work beautifully.
- The Flavor Balance: A great peanut sauce is all about harmony. This recipe achieves that with a classic combination of coconut aminos (or tamari) for the salty umami, honey for the sweet, rice vinegar for the tangy sour, and a fragrant kick from fresh garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- The Whisking Technique: It is absolutely crucial to whisk all your sauce ingredients together in a separate bowl before you add them to the hot pan. This is the non-negotiable secret that will allow the peanut butter to emulsify smoothly with the other liquids and will guarantee a perfectly smooth, not broken or clumpy, sauce.
- The Chicken: For the best, most tender result that cooks quickly and evenly, it is a great idea to cut your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into uniform, 1-inch, bite-sized pieces.
Step-by-Step to the Best Spicy Peanut Chicken
This delicious, one-pan (mostly!) meal is incredibly simple to prepare.
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce and the Chicken
Step 1: In a medium bowl or a liquid measuring cup, whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce: the 1/2 cup of peanut butter, the 1/4 cup of coconut aminos, the 1/4 cup of honey, the 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, the 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce, the 1/2 cup of chicken broth, the 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, the 1/2 teaspoon of ginger powder, the 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, and the crushed red pepper. Set this aside.
Step 2: Cut your 1 1/2 pounds of chicken breast into small, 1-inch cubes. Season the chicken with the 1 teaspoon of cumin, the 1/2 teaspoon of coriander, and the 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
Part 2: Cook the Chicken and Simmer the Sauce
Step 1: In a large skillet or a wok, heat the 1 tablespoon of coconut oil over a medium-high heat.
Step 2: Add in your 1/2 cup of chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 3: Add the seasoned, cubed chicken to the skillet. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked.
Step 4: Pour your prepared peanut sauce into the pan with the chicken. Stir until all the chicken is coated evenly.
Step 5: Allow the sauce to come to a light simmer. Let it continue to simmer for about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened beautifully and is glossy.
Remove the pan from the heat and serve the hot peanut butter chicken immediately.
Peanut Chicken (20-Minute Recipe!)
An easy, one-pan recipe for a flavorful and creamy Peanut Butter Chicken. This dish features bite-sized pieces of chicken breast seasoned with cumin and coriander, then cooked with onions in a large skillet. A savory-sweet and slightly spicy peanut sauce is made with peanut butter, coconut aminos (or soy sauce), honey, and ginger, which is then simmered with the chicken until it thickens into a rich glaze. The dish is served over rice and can be customized with a variety of fresh toppings.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- For the Peanut Butter Sauce:
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos or gluten-free tamari
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper (optional)
- For Serving (optional):
- Hot cooked brown or basmati rice
- Shredded carrots
- Roasted broccoli
- Chopped peanuts
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into small, bite-sized cubes.
- In a large pan or skillet, heat the coconut oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the cubed chicken to the pan along with the cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and browned.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, coconut aminos, honey, rice vinegar, tomato sauce, broth, garlic, ginger, and onion powder. Add crushed red pepper to your desired spice level.
- Pour the prepared sauce into the pan with the cooked chicken. Stir until the chicken is coated evenly.
- Allow the sauce to come to a light simmer. Continue to simmer for about 6-8 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce has slightly thickened and reduced.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and serve the peanut butter chicken over rice with your choice of vegetables and toppings.
Notes
- This is a quick and easy one-pan meal, perfect for a busy weeknight.
- The spice level of the peanut sauce can be easily adjusted by adding more or less crushed red pepper.
- Coconut aminos or tamari are used in place of regular soy sauce to keep the dish gluten-free.
- The sauce will thicken as it simmers, so be sure to stir it often to prevent it from sticking.
What to Serve With Your Peanut Chicken
This beautiful and rich dish is a fantastic, all-in-one meal. It pairs wonderfully with classic, simple side dishes.
- Fluffy Rice: A bed of simple, steamed basmati, jasmine, or brown rice is the perfect, classic partner for this dish, ideal for sopping up every last drop of that incredible, savory-sweet sauce.
- Noodles: For a delicious noodle bowl, you can serve this saucy chicken over a bed of chewy rice noodles or even a classic spaghetti or linguine.
- Steamed Vegetables: A side of simple, steamed broccoli or some crispy snow peas is another fantastic and healthy choice.
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Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This Spicy Peanut Chicken is a fantastic make-ahead and freezer-friendly meal.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the entire peanut sauce up to a week in advance and store it in an airtight container or a jar in the refrigerator. This turns the final dish into a true, 15-minute meal.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: The finished peanut chicken freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the absolute, number one secret to a perfectly smooth and creamy, not lumpy, peanut sauce?
The secret is to whisk all your sauce ingredients together in a separate, cold bowl before you add them to the hot pan. Peanut butter is a thick emulsion, and if you add it directly to a hot pan with other liquids, it can “break” or seize up and become clumpy. By creating a smooth emulsion first, you are guaranteeing a perfectly silky and velvety final sauce.
Q2: Can I make this dish ahead of time for meal prep?
Yes, this is a fantastic meal-prep recipe! You can prepare the entire dish and portion it with rice or noodles into airtight containers. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, making for a delicious and satisfying lunch.
Q3: Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes, this is a fantastic slow cooker recipe! Simply place your raw, cubed chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker. Whisk together all your sauce ingredients and pour it over the chicken. Cook on Low for 3-4 hours or on High for 1-2 hours, until the chicken is cooked through.
Q4: Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
Of course! To make a delicious and hearty vegetarian or vegan version, simply substitute the chicken with an equal amount of extra-firm, pressed tofu or a can of chickpeas. Be sure to also use vegetable broth instead of the chicken broth.
Q5: What are coconut aminos?
Coconut aminos are a popular, savory seasoning sauce that is made from fermented coconut sap. It is a fantastic, soy-free, and gluten-free substitute for soy sauce, and it has a slightly sweeter and milder flavor.