Dinner

Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

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This Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken is a Thai-inspired delight that brings together tender, fall-apart chicken with a luxuriously creamy peanut sauce. Made effortlessly in the crockpot, it combines bold flavors of peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, and chili garlic paste, creating a mouthwatering, savory-sweet dish. It’s perfect served over jasmine rice or noodles, making every bite irresistibly comforting. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity just a few ingredients, minimal prep, and the slow cooker does all the work. Whether you’re craving a cozy dinner at home or looking for an easy meal-prep option, this peanut chicken is sure to become a new favorite. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime for an extra burst of flavor, and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal right from your kitchen!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy, natural)
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili garlic paste
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped

Directions:

  1. Add the bell pepper, onion, and garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker, then place the chicken breasts on top.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and chili garlic paste until smooth.
  3. Pour the sauce over the chicken and cover with the lid.
  4. Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-5 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
  5. Stir in lime juice and chopped cilantro.
  6. Serve over rice or noodles and garnish with additional cilantro or peanuts.

Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 3 hours | Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes

Kcal: 439 kcal | Servings: 2

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Easy and Convenient

One of the best things about Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken is how little effort it requires. Unlike traditional stovetop or oven-baked meals, this dish is prepared by simply layering the ingredients in a crockpot and letting them cook slowly over a few hours. This makes it a great option for those who have busy schedules but still want to enjoy a home-cooked meal.

2. Rich, Creamy Peanut Sauce

The highlight of this dish is its luscious peanut sauce. Made with peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and a hint of chili garlic paste, this sauce is packed with umami flavor. It coats the chicken beautifully, making each bite irresistibly creamy and full of depth. The addition of lime juice and cilantro at the end adds a fresh contrast, cutting through the richness and balancing the dish perfectly.

3. Versatile and Customizable

This recipe is highly adaptable based on dietary preferences and ingredient availability. If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can swap the chicken for tofu or tempeh. If you’re looking for a nut-free alternative, sunflower seed butter or tahini can be used instead of peanut butter. You can also adjust the spice level by adding more or less chili garlic paste, making it as mild or as spicy as you like.

4. Perfect for Meal Prep

Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken stores well, making it a fantastic meal prep option. You can make a large batch, portion it into meal containers, and refrigerate or freeze it for later use. It reheats beautifully, ensuring that you have a delicious and nutritious meal ready whenever you need it.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides and accompaniments. Here are some ideas to enhance your meal:

  • Rice – Jasmine rice, basmati rice, or coconut rice are excellent options to soak up the flavorful peanut sauce.
  • Noodles – Serve over rice noodles, udon, or soba noodles for a Thai-inspired noodle bowl.
  • Steamed Vegetables – Broccoli, carrots, snap peas, and bok choy complement the dish well, adding color, texture, and nutrients.
  • Crunchy Toppings – Chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, or crispy shallots add a delightful crunch and enhance the overall presentation.
  • Fresh Herbs – Garnish with fresh cilantro or Thai basil for a fragrant, authentic touch.

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

1. Use Natural Peanut Butter

For the best flavor, opt for natural peanut butter with minimal added sugar and preservatives. This gives the sauce a pure, nutty taste without excessive sweetness or artificial ingredients.

2. Sear the Chicken for Extra Depth

Although this recipe is designed to be completely hands-off, you can take it a step further by searing the chicken in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker. This creates a caramelized outer layer that enhances the flavor and texture of the dish.

3. Adjust the Sauce Consistency

If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer uncovered in the slow cooker for an extra 15-20 minutes after the chicken has finished cooking. You can also stir in a bit of cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) to thicken the sauce.

4. Balance the Sweetness and Spice

The combination of honey and chili garlic paste brings a balance of sweetness and heat. If you like a sweeter sauce, add an extra drizzle of honey. For a spicier kick, increase the chili garlic paste or add red pepper flakes.

5. Store and Reheat Properly

  • Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
  • Reheating: Warm in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce if needed.

Variations of Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

This dish is incredibly versatile, allowing for different variations based on dietary preferences and available ingredients:

  • Vegetarian/Vegan: Substitute chicken with tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Nut-Free: Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter or tahini.
  • Low-Carb/Keto: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional rice or pasta.
  • Extra Veggies: Add bell peppers, mushrooms, baby corn, or green beans to boost the vegetable content.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make this recipe on the stovetop?

Yes! Instead of using a slow cooker, sauté the chicken and vegetables in a pan, then add the peanut sauce and let it simmer until the chicken is fully cooked. This method takes about 20-25 minutes.

2. What if I don’t have a slow cooker?

You can also make this dish in an Instant Pot or bake it in the oven. For the Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 10 minutes and let it naturally release. For the oven, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes, covered, until the chicken is tender.

3. Is this dish kid-friendly?

Yes! If serving to kids, consider reducing the chili garlic paste for a milder flavor. The creamy peanut sauce is generally appealing to children, making it a great family-friendly meal.

4. Can I use a different protein?

Absolutely! While chicken is a popular choice, you can substitute it with shrimp, beef, pork, or even plant-based proteins like tofu. Adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the protein you choose.

Conclusion:

Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken is a delightful combination of convenience, flavor, and versatility. With a creamy, nutty sauce infused with Thai-inspired ingredients, this dish transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet meal with minimal effort. Whether you’re cooking for a busy family, meal prepping for the week, or entertaining guests, this recipe is a surefire winner.

The beauty of this dish lies in its adaptability customize the spice level, switch up the protein, or add extra vegetables to make it your own. Serve it with rice, noodles, or fresh greens, and garnish with crunchy peanuts and fresh cilantro for an extra touch of deliciousness.

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