Description
This flavorful Thai Peanut Chicken recipe features tender chicken breast simmered in a rich and creamy peanut sauce infused with garlic, ginger, and sweet chili flavors. Finished with fresh cilantro and crunchy roasted peanuts, it’s a perfect dish to serve over steamed rice for a satisfying and aromatic meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch piece ginger root, minced
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato sauce or ketchup
- 3 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar (optional; omit for paleo)
- 14 ounce unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
For Garnish
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Chopped roasted peanuts
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and ginger, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken breast pieces to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the chicken starts to brown and is partially cooked through.
- Add Sauces and Spices: Stir in the sweet chili sauce, tomato sauce or ketchup, chili powder, crunchy peanut butter, and dark brown sugar (if using). Mix thoroughly to combine all the flavors with the chicken.
- Add Coconut Milk and Simmer: Pour in the unsweetened coconut milk and add the salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow the flavors to meld.
- Thicken Sauce (Optional): If the sauce is too thin, dissolve 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water and stir it into the sauce. Continue to simmer for another minute until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Adjust salt to taste.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the Thai Peanut Chicken over steamed rice. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and chopped roasted peanuts for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for a juicier texture.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of chili powder or add fresh chili peppers.
- Use natural crunchy peanut butter without added sugars or oils for a healthier option.
- If you prefer a paleo-friendly version, omit the dark brown sugar and use paleo-approved chili sauce.
- Adjust the thickness of the sauce by controlling the simmer time or using the optional cornstarch slurry.
