Description
Bright, nutty, and ready fast, this Thai-style peanut chicken pairs juicy pieces of chicken with a silky peanut-coconut sauce. It comes together in about 30 minutes and is excellent spooned over steamed rice or tossed with noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 breasts), cut into bite-size chunks
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter
- 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (or neutral oil for frying)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry, cut into 1-inch pieces, and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
- Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through — about 5–7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Turn the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the empty pan and sauté briefly, about 30–60 seconds, until fragrant (don’t let it burn).
- Whisk together the soy sauce, peanut butter, and coconut milk in a measuring cup or small bowl until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Heat until the sauce begins to bubble and thicken slightly.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss to coat well in the sauce. Let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes so the flavors meld and the chicken reheats.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lime if you like. Serve immediately over rice or noodles and sprinkle with chopped peanuts and cilantro, if using.
Notes
- Quick tips
- For extra veg, toss in sliced bell pepper, snap peas, or shredded carrots in step 4 and cook until just tender.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, loosen it with a splash of water, chicken broth, or extra coconut milk.
- Use natural peanut butter (no sugar added) for the cleanest flavor; a touch of honey or brown sugar can balance the sauce if you prefer it sweeter.
- Storage
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or coconut milk to restore creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 250g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 99mg