Description
Peanut Butter Chicken brings Chinese-inspired comfort right to your dinner table with tender chicken draped in a creamy, nutty sauce that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. Whip up this quick weeknight meal that combines simple ingredients into something seriously delicious and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 454 g)
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ cup creamy natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
Aromatic Ingredients:
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Slice 1 pound (454 grams) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized pieces, ensuring each chunk is roughly 1-inch square for even cooking.
- Mince 3 cloves of fresh garlic until finely chopped, releasing their aromatic oils and preparing them for sautéing.
- Heat 2 teaspoons of sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F/190°C) until the oil shimmers and looks slightly rippled.
- Add minced garlic and chicken pieces to the hot skillet, spreading them in a single layer without overcrowding to achieve golden-brown edges, cooking precisely 6-7 minutes while stirring occasionally.
- While chicken cooks, combine ½ cup creamy peanut butter, ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, and 2 tablespoons water in a mixing bowl, whisking until the sauce transforms into a smooth, glossy consistency.
- Once chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temperature, pour the peanut butter sauce directly over the meat, gently stirring to ensure every piece gets thoroughly coated.
- Remove skillet from heat and sprinkle 2 finely chopped green onions across the surface as a fresh, zesty garnish.
- Serve immediately over steamed rice or tender noodles, allowing the warm sauce to slightly penetrate the accompanying starch.
Notes
- Toast the sesame oil briefly before adding chicken to enhance its nutty flavor and prevent burning.
- Adjust the sauce consistency by adding more water if it’s too thick, ensuring a smooth coating on the chicken.
- For a spicier version, add a teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the peanut butter sauce.
- Use natural peanut butter for a more authentic taste and less added sugar in the recipe.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg