Thai Peanut Chicken is a vibrant, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken with a rich, creamy peanut sauce, bringing the bold tastes of Thailand straight to your plate. Sweet, savory, and slightly tangy, this dish is both satisfying and aromatic, making it perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or casual gatherings with friends and family.
The star of the dish is the peanut sauce. Made from creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, ginger, and a touch of honey or brown sugar, it creates a luscious coating that clings to every bite of chicken. A splash of coconut milk or a pinch of chili flakes can be added to make the sauce creamier or give it a subtle heat, balancing the flavors beautifully.
Chicken breast or thigh pieces are typically sautéed or grilled until golden and tender, then tossed in the sauce until fully coated. The peanut sauce seeps into the chicken, infusing it with rich, nutty, and slightly sweet flavors. Fresh herbs like cilantro or Thai basil added at the end brighten the dish and add aromatic complexity.
Thai Peanut Chicken is often served over steamed rice, spicy quinoa, or noodles, which soak up the delicious sauce, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. Stir-fried vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas add color, texture, and freshness, balancing the richness of the peanut sauce. A sprinkle of chopped peanuts on top adds crunch and an extra layer of flavor.
What makes this dish so appealing is its balance of textures and flavors: tender chicken, creamy sauce, fresh herbs, and crunchy peanuts. It’s quick to prepare, yet feels special enough to serve for guests or a family dinner.
Thai Peanut Chicken proves that simple ingredients and a good sauce can turn a regular meal into something extraordinary. Every bite is rich, nutty, and bursting with flavor, making it a dish that’s as comforting as it is exciting.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for cooking
- 1 cup coconut milk unsweetened
- 1/2 cup peanut butter creamy
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce low sodium preferred
- 2 tablespoons lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger freshly grated
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add coconut milk, peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine and bring to a simmer.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, and stir to coat the chicken with the sauce. Let it cook for an additional 5 minutes until heated through.
- Garnish with cilantro before serving. Serve hot over cooked rice or noodles.
Nutrition
Absolutely delicious! The peanut sauce was amazing and my kids loved it too!
Tasty, cheap, makes so much food! I used chicken thighs instead of breast.
Not sure why this recipe has so many stars, it was just ok for me. Lacks flavor.
I thought it was delicious! Maybe you didn’t add enough spices? Try adjusting the red pepper flakes next time. 😊
This is not authentic Thai! Where’s the lemongrass? You’re just mixing peanut butter in coconut milk. Disappointed. 👎
Coconut milk? Yuck! Didn’t read the ingredients carefully. Will not make this again.
Too creamy for my taste. Thought it would be lighter.
Simple and tasty! Can’t believe I made this myself!!
This was so quick and easy! I added a bit more ginger because I love it. Will make again!
I don’t like coconut, so I skipped that part. Came out weird. Maybe I did it wrong?
OMG, my husband ate the whole pot. Must be good!
Wot?! Not enough spice at all. I added some chili garlic sauce.