Print

Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken Recipe

Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 14 reviews

Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken is a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken thighs or breasts cooked in a luscious peanut sauce with ginger, garlic, and a spicy kick. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal, this dish pairs wonderfully with jasmine rice, noodles, or fresh sides like cucumber salad for a balanced and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1.5 to 2 lbs (700–900g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

Peanut Sauce

  • 1 cup unsweetened natural peanut butter (creamy)
  • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup honey or brown sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil (optional but adds flavor)
  • 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1–2 tsp red chili flakes or Sriracha (adjust to heat preference)
  • 1 cup canned coconut milk (optional for creaminess)
  • ½ cup water or chicken broth (to loosen sauce)

Instructions

  1. Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar or lime juice, sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, red chili flakes or Sriracha, and water or chicken broth. If using coconut milk, add it in at this stage. Mix until smooth and emulsified.
  2. Add Chicken to Slow Cooker: Place the chicken pieces at the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the prepared peanut sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
  3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2.5 to 3.5 hours. The chicken should be tender and easily shredded with a fork when done.
  4. Shred & Stir: Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Stir the shredded chicken into the sauce to coat it evenly with the creamy peanut mixture.
  5. Garnish & Serve: Serve the peanut chicken hot, garnished with crushed peanuts, chopped cilantro, green onions, or sesame seeds. Pair with your choice of sides like jasmine rice, noodles, or fresh salad.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, sear the chicken in a hot skillet before adding it to the slow cooker to get a caramelized crust.
  • To make the sauce creamier, stir in a bit of heavy cream or additional coconut milk at the end of cooking.
  • Make the peanut sauce and prep vegetables the night before to save time on cooking day.
  • To make a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with seed butters like tahini or sunflower seed butter.
  • Try other proteins like shrimp, steak bites, or baked tofu for vegetarian or alternative variations.
  • This recipe can also be prepared on the stovetop or baked in the oven for versatile cooking methods.
  • Serve with vegetable-forward sides such as steamed broccoli, carrots, or a cool cucumber salad to balance richness.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, peanut chicken, Thai peanut chicken recipe, creamy peanut sauce, easy slow cooker meals, Thai chicken recipe

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/slow-cooker-peanut-chicken-recipe/