Description
A flavorful and creamy Thai Peanut Chicken dish featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich peanut sauce with hints of ginger, garlic, lime, and chili. Perfectly balanced with coconut milk and served over rice or noodles, this recipe brings vibrant Thai-inspired flavors to your dinner table with a quick stovetop cooking method.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Cooking
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Garnish and Serving
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts, for garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional
- Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and sauté them until browned and fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the smooth peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, lime juice, grated ginger, minced garlic, and chili flakes. Stir continuously to combine the ingredients, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is aromatic.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the coconut milk and chicken broth while stirring constantly to create a smooth, well-blended sauce. Bring the mixture gently to a simmer, allowing flavors to meld.
- Combine Chicken with Sauce: Return the cooked chicken back to the skillet, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the peanut sauce. Let it simmer together for an additional 5 minutes to deepen the flavor integration.
- Season to Taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. Increase chili flakes if a spicier result is preferred.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the dish with chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and sesame seeds if using. Serve hot over cooked rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier option.
- Adjust chili flakes to control spiciness according to your preference.
- Peanut butter can be natural or smooth, but avoid chunky for a creamier sauce.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
