Description
Peanut Butter Chicken brings Chinese-inspired comfort straight to your kitchen table with a creamy, nutty sauce that hugs tender chicken pieces. Serve this quick weeknight dinner over steamed rice for a satisfying meal that will have your family asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Coating and Seasoning:
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Sauce and Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
Garnish and Serving:
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Steamed rice or noodles
Instructions
- Sprinkle ¼ cup cornstarch over your chicken chunks, seasoning generously with salt and black pepper to create a light, even coating.
- Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet at 375°F, creating a sizzling surface for perfect browning.
- Cook chicken pieces for 3-4 minutes per side, ensuring each chunk turns golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate, keeping the delicious browned bits in the pan.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and add minced garlic and grated ginger, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Whisk ½ cup creamy peanut butter, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, ½ cup water, and ½ teaspoon sesame oil into a smooth, rich sauce.
- Allow sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until it thickens and develops a glossy appearance.
- Return chicken to the skillet, gently coating each piece in the warm peanut sauce.
- Simmer the chicken in sauce for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring every chunk is thoroughly heated and coated.
- Serve immediately over steamed rice, garnishing with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Notes
- Cornstarch creates a crispy exterior on the chicken, so coat it thoroughly for the best texture.
- Use smooth peanut butter for a silky sauce, avoiding natural varieties that might separate during cooking.
- Check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure it’s safely cooked through.
- Adjust sauce thickness by adding water or letting it simmer longer based on your preferred consistency.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg