Description
Quick and easy peanut butter chicken made with tender chicken cubes coated in a flavorful peanut butter sauce. Serve over rice for a delicious weeknight meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced, for garnish
- Cooked rice, for serving
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss chicken in the flour mixture until well coated.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Peanut Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and grated ginger. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Whisk until peanut butter is dissolved and sauce is smooth.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until it thickens slightly, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet with the peanut butter sauce. Toss to coat evenly.
- Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve hot over cooked rice. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions and sesame seeds (if desired).
Notes
- Spice Level: Add more red pepper flakes, sriracha, or chili garlic sauce for extra heat.
- Vegetables: Add broccoli florets, sliced bell peppers, snap peas, or sliced carrots to the skillet with the garlic and ginger. Sauté until tender-crisp before adding the sauce.
- Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter is recommended, but crunchy peanut butter can be used.
- Chicken Alternatives: Substitute with tofu, shrimp, or beef. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free chicken broth. Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for coating the chicken.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the peanut butter sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with rice, noodles, quinoa, or cauliflower rice. Great as a filling for lettuce wraps or as a topping for salads.
- Nut Allergy Considerations: Substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter (sunbutter) or tahini (sesame seed paste).
- Adding a Creamy Texture: Add a tablespoon or two of coconut milk or heavy cream to the sauce at the end of cooking.
- Boosting the Umami: Add a teaspoon of fish sauce or a few drops of Worcestershire sauce to the peanut butter sauce.
- Thickening the Sauce: Whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and adding it to the sauce while it’s simmering.
- Sweetness Adjustment: Adjust the sweetness of the peanut butter sauce by adding more or less honey.
- Saltiness Control: Be mindful of the salt content of your soy sauce and adjust the amount accordingly.
- Ginger and Garlic Intensity: The amount of ginger and garlic you use can be adjusted to your liking.
- Rice Cooking Tips: Rinse it thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch. Use the correct water-to-rice ratio (usually 2:1 for white rice) and cook it according to the package directions.
- Chicken Cooking Perfection: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes