Quick & Tasty Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe You’ll Love

Crafting a delightful Chinese peanut butter chicken promises a flavor adventure that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Savory meets sweet in this unexpected culinary combination.

Nutty undertones blend perfectly with tender chicken pieces.

Minimal ingredients create maximum satisfaction for hungry home cooks.

Each bite delivers a surprising twist on traditional stir-fry techniques.

Simple yet sophisticated, this recipe transforms weeknight dinners into memorable moments.

You’ll want to pull out your skillet and start cooking right now.

Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken with a Twist

• Craft a Quick Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a delectable meal that keeps everyone asking for seconds, making it perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
• Master Global Flavors at Home: Explore authentic Chinese-inspired cuisine without complex techniques, bringing restaurant-quality taste directly to your kitchen with minimal cooking skills required.
• Customize Your Spice Adventure: Adjust heat levels by adding red pepper flakes, creating a personalized dish that caters to different taste preferences and allows creative culinary expression.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimize cleanup and cooking time with this streamlined recipe that uses a single pan, making it ideal for busy weeknights and home cooks seeking convenience.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Chicken

• Chicken: Lean protein that serves as the primary component of this Chinese-inspired dish.

• Peanut Butter: Creamy base that provides rich, nutty flavor and thick consistency to the sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Adds deep umami and salty undertones to the overall dish.
• Rice Vinegar: Introduces a subtle tangy brightness to balance the sauce.
• Honey: Brings natural sweetness and helps create a glossy sauce coating.
• Chicken Broth: Enhances the sauce's depth and helps achieve the desired sauce consistency.

• Garlic, Ginger: Classic Asian flavor enhancers that contribute complex, warm, and zesty notes to the sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spice element that adds heat and warmth to the dish.

• Sesame Oil: Provides authentic Asian flavor and serves as the initial cooking fat.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Fresh and crunchy toppings that add visual appeal and textural contrast.

How to Prepare Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken

Step 1: Warm Up the Skillet

Drizzle sesame oil into a skillet and heat it over medium flame until the oil shimmers and spreads easily across the pan’s surface.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Toss diced chicken pieces into the hot skillet, letting them dance and sizzle until each piece turns a beautiful golden brown.

Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a waiting plate.

Step 3: Craft the Magical Sauce

• Creamy peanut butter
• Rich soy sauce
• Tangy rice vinegar
• Sweet honey
• Savory chicken broth
• Minced garlic
• Freshly grated ginger

Cook the mixture on low heat, stirring gently until it transforms into a smooth, velvety sauce.

For adventurous taste buds, sprinkle in red pepper flakes to add a spicy kick.

Step 4: Reunite Chicken and Sauce

Return the seared chicken to the skillet, gently coating each piece in the luscious sauce.

Let everything simmer together for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to mingle and intensify.

Step 5: Plate and Garnish

Transfer the peanut butter chicken to a serving dish, then crown it with a sprinkle of chopped green onions and a shower of sesame seeds for a final touch of flavor and visual appeal.

Tips to Boost Peanut Butter Chicken Flavor

• Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that keeps the same delicious peanut butter sauce profile.
• Adjust red pepper flakes based on your spice tolerance, adding gradually to control heat level.
• Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content without compromising flavor complexity.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating gently to maintain sauce consistency.
• Enhance protein absorption by marinating chicken in sauce for 30 minutes before cooking for deeper flavor penetration.

Flavor Variations for Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken

• Spicy Thai Peanut Chicken: Replace soy sauce with fish sauce, add extra red pepper flakes, and incorporate coconut milk for a creamier, more intense Thai-inspired flavor.
• Vegetarian Tofu Version: Swap chicken with firm tofu cubes, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a plant-based protein alternative that absorbs the rich peanut sauce.
• Low-Carb Almond Butter Option: Substitute peanut butter with almond butter, reduce honey, and serve over cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly meal that maintains the original recipe's essence.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free, and serve with rice noodles or zucchini noodles for a safe, delicious option.

What Complements Peanut Butter Chicken

• Cozy Family Dinner Delight: Serve this savory chicken over steamed white rice, letting the rich peanut sauce drizzle down and create a comforting meal everyone will love.
• Healthy Lettuce Wrap Twist: Transform the chicken into fresh lettuce wraps by spooning the saucy meat into crisp romaine or butter lettuce leaves for a light, protein-packed lunch option.
• Asian-Inspired Noodle Bowl: Toss the peanut butter chicken with hot rice noodles or soba noodles, creating a quick and satisfying one-bowl meal that combines texture and bold flavors.
• Meal Prep Champion: Pack individual portions in meal prep containers with quinoa and roasted vegetables for an easy, grab-and-go lunch that stays delicious throughout the week.

Proper Storage for Peanut Butter Chicken

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Store Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the sauce and chicken together to preserve moisture.
• Avoid freezing this dish, as the peanut butter sauce may separate and change texture when thawed.
• Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore sauce consistency and prevent drying out.

FAQs

• Is this dish spicy?

You can control the heat by adding red pepper flakes. Start with a small amount and adjust according to your spice preference.

• Can I use a different type of nut butter?

While peanut butter works best, you can substitute with almond butter for a slightly different flavor profile.

• What protein can I replace chicken with?

Tofu or shrimp are excellent alternatives that will work well with this sauce and cooking method.

• Do I need any special cooking skills to make this recipe?

No, this dish is beginner-friendly and requires basic skillet cooking techniques that anyone can master quickly.

Savory Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory Chinese peanut butter chicken blends creamy sauce with tender meat for an irresistible fusion dish. Balanced flavors and simple ingredients make this meal a quick, satisfying choice you’ll crave again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless chicken breast, diced

Sauce Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
• 1/4 cup chicken broth

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Garnish:

• Green onions
• Sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Warm sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
2. Sauté diced chicken pieces until golden and cooked through, approximately 5-6 minutes. Transfer to a separate plate.
3. In the same skillet, create a sauce by vigorously whisking peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, chicken broth, minced garlic, and grated ginger until integrated.
4. Reduce heat to low and simmer sauce for 3-4 minutes, stirring continuously until it reaches a smooth, slightly thickened consistency. Optional: incorporate red pepper flakes for additional heat.
5. Reintroduce cooked chicken into the skillet, gently tossing to ensure complete sauce coverage. Allow chicken to absorb flavors by simmering for 2-3 minutes.
6. Transfer to serving plates, garnishing with freshly chopped green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for enhanced texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Customize spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes, making it mild or fiery hot for different taste preferences.
• Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt content, perfect for those watching sodium intake.
• Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, creamy sauce texture.
• Prep ingredients beforehand to ensure quick and smooth cooking, reducing stress during meal preparation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 283 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 710 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg