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Peanut Butter Chicken: A Savory Twist on a Classic Dinner

Peanut Butter Chicken

Tender chicken simmers in a creamy peanut butter and coconut milk sauce balanced with soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, garlic, and a little honey. Serve it over rice or noodles for a satisfying family dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Seasoning
  • 1 1/2 lb (680 g) Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tbsp Neutral cooking oil
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper
  • 1 tsp Ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Ground coriander, optional
Aromatics
  • 1 small Small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp Fresh ginger, grated or finely minced
  • 1/2 tsp Red-pepper flakes, optional
Peanut Sauce
  • 1/2 cup (125 g) Smooth, unsweetened peanut butter
  • 1 cup (240 ml) Unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) Low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp Soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp Fresh lime juice
  • 1 tbsp Honey or brown sugar
Garnish and Serving
  • 1 tbsp Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tbsp Roasted peanuts, chopped, optional
  • As needed Cooked white rice, jasmine rice, or noodles

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Pat the chicken dry, then season it with the kosher salt, black pepper, ground cumin, and optional coriander.
  2. Heat the oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 3–5 minutes, turning once, until lightly browned; it does not need to be fully cooked. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium and add the chopped onion. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
  4. Add the garlic, ginger, and optional red-pepper flakes. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the peanut butter, coconut milk, chicken broth, soy sauce, lime juice, and honey or brown sugar. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and evenly combined.
  6. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan. Simmer gently for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.
  7. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning. Add a splash of broth if it is too thick, or a little lime juice or soy sauce if it needs more brightness or salt.
  8. Serve the chicken over cooked rice or noodles. Finish with cilantro and optional chopped roasted peanuts.

Notes

Use natural, unsweetened peanut butter when possible. If using sweetened peanut butter, reduce or omit the honey or brown sugar. Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer rather than a hard boil to help prevent separation and keep chicken breast tender.