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Kid-Friendly Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe Everyone Will Love

Kid-Friendly Peanut Butter Chicken

Tender chicken simmers in a creamy, mild peanut butter sauce flavored with soy sauce, honey, lime, and garlic. Serve it over rice or noodles for an easy family dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 1 lb (450 g) Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Neutral cooking oil
Aromatics
  • 2 cloves Garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon Freshly grated ginger, optional
Peanut Sauce
  • 1/4 cup (65 g) Smooth peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) Low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) Unsweetened coconut milk or chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon (21 g) Honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon Rice vinegar, optional
  • 2 tablespoons Water, as needed to thin
To Serve
  • As needed Cooked rice or noodles
  • Optional Cucumber, shredded carrot, scallions, or chopped cilantro

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, coconut milk or chicken broth, honey or maple syrup, lime juice, and optional rice vinegar until smooth. If the peanut butter is stiff, warm the mixture briefly or whisk in 1–2 tablespoons of water.
  2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly browned.
  3. Add the minced garlic and optional ginger to the skillet. Cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the peanut sauce and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer gently for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  5. Check that the thickest piece of chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Thin the sauce with a little water if necessary, then serve over cooked rice or noodles with mild vegetables.

Notes

Use low-sodium soy sauce and unsweetened peanut butter, and taste before adding salt. Do not boil the sauce aggressively after adding the peanut butter. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat gently with a splash of water. This dish contains peanuts and soy; for a peanut-free version, use sunflower-seed butter and confirm that all other ingredients are allergen-safe.