This delicious Thai Peanut Chicken recipe is positively PACKED with flavor! It’s quick and easy to make and is thoroughly satisfying.
This tasty Thai-influenced dish comes together in 30 minutes. Â The flavors of peanuts, coconut, chili, garlic, and ginger beautifully meld to create a sauce that is rich, comforting, and satisfying!
This is a dish I created several years ago when I got word that family was coming over from out of town at the last minute. I wanted to have a hot meal ready for them but being pressed for time it needed to be quick and fuss-free. One of the family members in particular loved everything Asian/Thai/Indonesian and so I looked in my freezer and in my pantry for inspiration. Some chicken and a big jar of peanut butter stood out to me and so I grabbed them and went to work, gathering other ingredients along the way like coconut milk and chili sauce. Thirty minutes later the meal was ready and our family commented on the delicious smell as they walked into our home. A few bites into the meal the compliments came pouring in.
This dish is a nice blend of sweet and spicy but you can adjust it according to your personal preference:Â Use either hot or mild chili powder and chili sauce according to your desired heat level.
This Thai Peanut Chicken has remained a favorite in our home and we’re confident you’re going to love it too!
Thai Peanut Chicken Recipe
Let’s get started!
Chop the onions and mince the garlic and ginger. Â Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the onions until soft and translucent, 5 minutes. Â Add the garlic and ginger and cook another 2 minutes. Â Add the chicken and cook another 3-4 minutes.
Add the sweet chili sauce, tomato sauce or ketchup, chili powder, brown sugar (for paleo Thai peanut chicken omit the sugar), salt and peanut butter and stir to combine. Â Add the coconut milk and bring to a boil. Â Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Â Add salt to taste.
Serve immediately over steamed rice garnished with cilantro and roasted peanuts. Â This dish tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had longer to meld. Â If the sauce is a little too thick, simply add a little extra coconut milk.
Enjoy!
Thai Peanut Chicken
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 (click link for homemade chili sauce recipe)
- 2 tablespoons tomato sauce or ketchup
- 3 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoons chili powder
- OR homemade chili powder (highly recommended!)
- 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar (optional; paleo: omit)
- 14 ounce unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
- Chopped roasted peanuts for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil in skillet over medium-high heat and cook the onions until soft and translucent, 5 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the sweet chili sauce, tomato sauce or ketchup, chili powder, peanut butter, and sugar and stir to combine. Add the coconut milk and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt to taste.
- Serve over steamed rice garnished with cilantro and chopped roasted peanuts.
First published on The Daring Gourmet April 13, 2015
Erin Killian says
What kind of chili sauce do you use (the Amazon link isn’t working for me.) Is the dish spicy? I want to make it for my 4 year old and 2 year old who like a little spice but not a lot. Thanks!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Erin, sorry for the delayed response, we just got back from vacation. I used Heinz’ chili sauce for this and it’s mild. That’s just my preference though, you can absolutely use a spicy chili sauce if you prefer a little heat.
Anonymous says
thanks so much for another excellent rrecipe…I already try your masoor dhal and murgh makhani and it was fantastic my boss told me I am a star…..thanks so much…
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, I’m so thrilled to hear that, thank you!
Jay says
This recipe is fantastic! We have made it twice, and it was a hit both times. Tonight we made it with shrimp, and it was equally good.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Awesome, I’m super thrilled to hear that, Jay, and really appreciate the feedback, thank you!
grayslady says
This recipe has become one of my staples. Love it! It’s the closest recipe I’ve found to panang curry, which is my favorite Thai curry. I use Thai Chili Ketchup, made by Silver Spring, because I find that it adds a bit more sparkle to the flavor than regular chili sauce. Thanks again. A real winner.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so happy to hear this, grayslady, thank you! You’ve reminded me that I really need to post my recipe for panang curry – mental note made!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
YUM! This stew looks like a super flavor meal perfect for a weeknight!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Definitely, Brandon, it’s super quick and easy!
Cynthia McCloud Woodman/What A Girl Eats says
I love the flavors of this dish! I was in Indonesia many years ago and loved the food!
stephinthyme says
So hearty, warm, and filling with robust flavors. Divine!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I just made another batch for dinner tonight :)
cristina says
Would love to have a taste of this dish. The combination of flavors is not something I’m familiar with using together but I’m sure I’d luv it. The sauce looks delicious!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Cristina! The Indonesian coconut-peanut combination is so delicious, you’d love it!
notjustbaked says
WoW, this looks incredible, and so easy! I love these easy breezy, super flavorful dinners. Putting on my list to make next week! It’s cooling down here, so it will be perfect.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks! It’s definitely easy and one of our favorite quick-to-make meals!
jennifer says
Hi Kimberly, would using almond butter work just as well?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Jennifer, you can use almond butter but it’s an entirely different flavor. I definitely recommend peanut butter.
meganpence says
Coconut chicken is one of my favorites. This looks delicious!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Megan! It a blend of so many great flavors.
dishofdailylife says
I love these flavors…can’t wait to try it! It looks so delicious!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Awesome, you’ll love this!
Cynthia McCloud Woodman/What A Girl Eats says
I was fortunate enough to travel to Indonesia several years ago and I loved the fusion of flavors! I’ll bet this is delicious!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
You are so lucky, Cynthia, how fun! I agree, the fusion of flavors in Indonesian cuisine is fabulous and that is what inspired the creation of this dish.
Katherine Thorne says
I’ve always loved the peanut/coconut flavor combo and this dish sounds fabulous. Making this soon!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Awesome! You’ll love this, Katherine, happy cooking!
Cori Landon says
I made this for dinner and it was A++! My husband and son came home and the compliments started as soon as they walked in the house and smelled the wonderful aroma. Thanks so much for another great recipe!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Cori! It really does smell so good while it’s cooking and I’m thrilled to hear it was such a hit, thank you!