This Peanut Butter Chicken is a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken pieces cooked in a rich, savory peanut butter sauce. The sauce comes together with creamy peanut butter, hoisin sauce, chicken broth, and warm spices, then simmers over the chicken until perfectly thickened. Served over a bed of rice and topped with sesame seeds, this dish is satisfying, simple, and packed with bold flavor.
Recipe Highlights
- A rich, savory sauce: The combination of peanut butter, hoisin sauce, and chicken broth creates a deeply flavorful sauce that coats every piece of chicken beautifully.
- Ready in under 30 minutes: With a short prep time and simple cooking steps, this meal comes together quickly on a busy weeknight.
- Simple ingredients: This recipe uses a short list of pantry-friendly ingredients that are easy to keep on hand.
- Perfectly spiced: Ground ginger and red pepper flakes add warmth and a subtle kick that balances the richness of the peanut butter sauce.
- Great for meal prep: This dish stores well and reheats easily, making it a great option for lunches or dinners throughout the week.
- Family-friendly and crowd-pleasing: The creamy, slightly sweet and savory sauce appeals to a wide range of tastes and pairs perfectly with fluffy white rice.
Ingredients in Peanut Butter Chicken
Chicken and Cooking
- Chicken tenderloin: Tender, lean cuts of chicken that cook quickly and stay juicy. Cutting them into bite-size pieces ensures even cooking and maximum sauce coverage.
- Avocado oil: A neutral, high-heat oil that is ideal for searing the chicken in a skillet without overpowering the other flavors.
Peanut Butter Sauce
- Creamy peanut butter: The base of the sauce, adding richness, body, and a nutty depth of flavor. Warming it in the microwave helps it blend smoothly into the sauce.
- Hoisin sauce: A savory, slightly sweet sauce that adds complexity and a subtle umami flavor to the peanut butter base.
- Chicken broth: Thins the sauce to the perfect consistency while adding savory depth.
- Ground ginger: Adds a warm, slightly spicy note that complements the peanut butter and balances the richness of the sauce.
- Red pepper flakes: Brings a mild heat that keeps the sauce from feeling too heavy or sweet.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance all of the other flavors in the dish.
Toppings and Serving
- Sesame seeds: Add a light crunch and a nutty finish to the dish.
- Rice: The perfect base for soaking up the rich peanut butter sauce.
Tips for Making the Best Peanut Butter Chicken
Full instructions for making the recipe can be found on the recipe card below, but here are a few helpful tips.
- Warm the peanut butter before mixing: Microwaving the peanut butter for about 40 seconds makes it much easier to whisk smoothly into the sauce without clumping.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet: Cook the chicken in a single layer so it browns evenly rather than steaming.
- Use a meat thermometer: Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit before adding the sauce.
- Adjust the heat level: Add more or less red pepper flakes depending on your spice preference. A pinch of cayenne can also be added for extra heat.
- Simmer until thickened: Let the sauce simmer for the full 5 minutes so it reduces and clings to the chicken rather than staying thin and watery.
- Swap the protein: This sauce works well with shrimp or tofu if you want to change things up.
- Try it with noodles: Rice is a classic pairing, but this dish is also delicious served over lo mein or rice noodles.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, adding a small splash of chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds chicken tenderloin cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Sesame seeds for topping
- Rice for serving
Instructions
- Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring periodically, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While the chicken cooks, microwave the peanut butter for 40 seconds, then whisk it together with the hoisin sauce, chicken broth, salt, pepper, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken and simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Serve over rice and top with sesame seeds.
Nutrition
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FAQs
Can I use a different cut of chicken? Yes. Chicken breast or chicken thighs both work well in this recipe. Thighs will add a bit more richness, while breast meat is a leaner option similar to tenderloin.
Can I make the sauce less spicy? Absolutely. Simply reduce or omit the red pepper flakes if you prefer a milder dish. The sauce will still be full of flavor from the peanut butter, hoisin, and ginger.
Can I use natural peanut butter? Yes. Natural peanut butter works in this recipe, though the sauce may be slightly thinner. Make sure to stir it well before measuring to ensure the oil is fully incorporated.
Can I make this dish ahead of time? Yes. The chicken and sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop with a small splash of broth to loosen the sauce before serving.
What type of rice works best? White rice, jasmine rice, or brown rice all pair well with this dish. Jasmine rice is a particularly good match for the flavors in the sauce.
More delicious chicken recipes to try:
- In the mood for Mexican? Crockpot Salsa Chicken Tacos are full of flavor and so easy to make. Easy Chicken Enchiladas are made completely from scratch with rotisserie chicken for a quick and simple dinner recipe.
- Casseroles are easy to assemble and make enough for the whole family. Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole and Chicken Broccoli Potato Casserole are two of our favorites.
- Our Best Homemade Chicken Tenders recipe has been one of our most popular recipes for years – for good reason! These chicken strips are juicy, tender, and made completely from scratch.
This Peanut Butter Chicken is a simple yet bold dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes, with a creamy, savory sauce and tender chicken, making it a guaranteed weeknight favorite.
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