Peanut butter chicken is a restaurant quality dish that you can easily make at home in about 30 mins. The secret lies in the peanut butter chicken sauce, which combines the rich, creamy texture of peanut butter with aromatic spices and tangy ingredients.
This better-than-takeout recipe will have you wondering why you ever ordered out in the first place.
Chinese peanut butter chicken recipe
Not sure if Peanut butter chicken is more of an American take out dish than an authentic Chinese dish, however, it is so good.
Our recipe is quick and easy to make, and has the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, making it a crowd-pleaser for family dinners or special occasions.
With simple ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry, I'll show you how to make this impressive chicken dinner in less than 30 mins.
When you are done making this peanut butter chicken, you should try our Copycat Panda Express chicken teriyaki recipe or five spice chicken next!
Recipe Highlights
- Easy to prepare with readily available ingredients.
- Versatile dish that pairs well with various sides.
- Healthier alternative to traditional takeout options.
- Easily adaptable to suit most diets. Don't like honey? Use brown sugar or a sugar free sweetener. Want to make it gluten free? Swap out the soy sauce for Tamari or liquid aminos.
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Ground cumin
- Cornstarch
- Coriander
- Garlic powder
- Ground Ginger
- Salt
- Black pepper
For the peanut butter sauce
- Creamy peanut butter butter
- Honey
- Low sodium sauce
- Minced Garlic
- Cayenne
* Need to print out this recipe? You’ll find a printable recipe card at the end of this post. Enjoy!
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- Mixing bowls
- Skillet
- Knife
- Cutting board
How to make Peanut butter chicken in easy steps.
Season the chicken
Mix spices (coriander, cumin, garlic powder, ginger, salt, and pepper) set aside
Cut chicken into cubes, pat dry, and place in bowl.
Add the spice mix to the chicken then toss to coat.
Next add and cornstarch and mix again to coat all the chicken pieces.
Heat oil in skillet. Cook chicken 4-5 minutes per side until golden. Work in batches if needed.
When all the chicken is cooked, remove the chicken and transfer to a plate. Turn off heat, drain excess oil from skillet then return all the chicken pieces to the skillet .
Make the peanut butter sauce.
Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, hot water, honey, rice vinegar, cayenne pepper, garlic, and ginger.
Pour sauce over chicken. Cook on low 5-10 minutes until desired thickness.
Garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro. Serve over rice with a side vegetables.
What to serve with Peanut butter chicken
The peanut butter sauce is delicious so you might want to make extra to use as a dipping sauce for meats including chicken skewers, steak kebabs and vegetables.
It goes well with rice, white, brown or even cauliflower rice for a low carb option. Add a side of salad (I love this simple chickpea salad) or your favorite veggies like mushrooms, broccoli, green beans or asparagus.
Then finish it off with a glass of pomegranate lemonade or you give this silver fizz cocktail recipe a try!
How to store
Store leftover peanut butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the desired portion in a microwave-safe dish and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.
Alternatively, reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying.
Helpful Tips
- Use smooth peanut butter for a creamier sauce
- If you have time marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes for enhanced flavor
- The sauce thickens as it cooks and continues to thicken as it cools. Bear that in mind so you know what consistency you are going for.
- Don't overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
FAQs
While smooth peanut butter is preferred for a creamy sauce, crunchy peanut butter can be used for added texture if that's your preference. Keep in mind that it may alter the consistency of the sauce slightly.
The spice level can be adjusted to your preference. The recipe typically includes a mild amount of heat, but you can increase or decrease the cayenne pepper to suit your taste.
Yes, you can prepare the dish in advance and reheat it when ready to serve. The flavors often become more pronounced when left to meld overnight.
More dinner recipes
- Garlic Parmesan chicken pasta
- Pink sauce pasta
- Air fryer chicken fajitas
- Chicken Rasta pasta
- Check out all our Home Cooked Recipes
This Peanut butter chicken recipe is a delicious and satisfying dish that willl bring restaurant-quality flavors to your home kitchen.
With its tasty combination of ingredients and easy preparation, it's sure to become a family favorite. Try our recipe today and let us know what you think!
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Peanut butter chicken recipe
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds, cut into bite sized pieces)
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch or flour
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil for frying (more as needed)
For the peanut butter sauce:
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ cup hot water
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (Adjust up or down based on your preference)
Instructions
Season the chicken
- Mix the coriander, cumin, garlic powder, ginger, salt, and pepper in a bowl and set aside
- Cut chicken into cubes, pat dry, and place in bowl.
- Add the spice mix to the chicken then toss to coat.
- Next add and cornstarch and mix again to coat all the chicken pieces.
- Heat oil over medium heat, add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden. Do not overcrowd the skillet. Cook in batches if needed.
- When all the chicken pieces are cooked, remove the chicken and transfer to a plate. Turn off heat, drain excess oil from skillet then return all the chicken pieces back into the skillet.
Make the peanut butter sauce.
- Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, hot water, honey, rice vinegar, cayenne pepper, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
- Pour the peanut sauce over the chicken. Cook on low 5-10 minutes until desired thickness.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro. Serve over rice with a side vegetables.
Notes
- Use smooth peanut butter for a creamier sauce.
- If you have time, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes for enhanced flavor.
- The sauce thickens as it cooks and continues to thicken as it cools. Bear that in mind so you know what consistency you are going for.
- Don't overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
Randy says
Who would have guessed that peanut butter and chicken would go so well together. After seeing your recipe, I had to give it a try. Your step by step instructions were so easy to follow and my peanut butter chicken recipe turned out awesome.