Description
Peanut Butter Chicken from China delivers a quick weeknight dinner that saves your hungry family from mealtime chaos. Creamy sauce and tender chicken come together faster than takeout, making this recipe your new dinner hero.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Sauce and Seasoning:
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Garnish:
- 2 green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cube the chicken into 1-inch pieces and toss with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Let your chicken marinate for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
- Create the sauce by whisking ½ cup peanut butter, ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, and ¼ cup warm water until completely smooth.
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet at medium-high heat (375°F). Spread chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning once to ensure golden brown edges.
- Lower skillet temperature to medium and add 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon grated ginger. Stir rapidly for 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Pour prepared peanut butter sauce over chicken, stirring continuously until sauce thickens and coats each chicken piece evenly, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 sliced green onions and optional toasted sesame seeds across the top for fresh garnish.
- Serve immediately alongside steamed rice or noodles while sauce remains warm and glossy.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for maximum flavor by letting it sit in the soy sauce mixture for the full 15 minutes, which helps tenderize and season the meat deeply.
- Create a smooth sauce by whisking peanut butter and other ingredients thoroughly, ensuring no lumps remain for a silky, consistent coating.
- Control the heat by adjusting red pepper flakes to match your spice tolerance, knowing that a little goes a long way in adding depth to the dish.
- For a lighter version, swap chicken thighs with chicken breast and use reduced-sodium soy sauce to cut down on calories and salt content.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg