If you are craving a dish that bursts with bold flavors but comes together quickly, this Easy Thai Peanut Chicken Recipe is exactly what your weeknight dinners need. It’s a delightful mix of tender chicken, crunchy veggies, and creamy peanut sauce that feels both comforting and exotic. With fresh ingredients like broccoli and red bell pepper adding vibrant color and crunch, paired with a luscious peanut sauce that balances sweetness, saltiness, and a touch of tang, every bite is pure joy. Whether you’re new to Thai-inspired cooking or just want a fuss-free meal that impresses, this recipe delivers all the flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is the first step towards making this dish shine. Each component plays a special role, from creating the perfect texture to building rich layers of flavor that make this Easy Thai Peanut Chicken Recipe so irresistible.
- Chicken (1.5 pounds, cubed): Choose skinless chicken breast or thigh for tender, juicy bites that soak up the sauce beautifully.
- Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons): A neutral oil with a high smoke point ideal for sautéing the chicken and veggies without overpowering flavors.
- Broccoli florets (1.5 cups): Adds a satisfying crunch and a pop of green that lightens up the dish.
- Red bell pepper (1, chopped): Brings sweetness and vibrant color, making the dish as lovely to look at as it is to eat.
- Peanut butter (½ cup): The star ingredient that creates the creamy, nutty base of the sauce with a rich mouthfeel.
- Soy sauce (¼ cup): Adds umami and saltiness, perfectly balancing the sweetness in the sauce.
- Honey (2 tablespoons): Sweetens the sauce naturally and helps to soften the bold flavors.
- Coconut milk (2 tablespoons, canned): Adds a luscious creaminess and subtle tropical notes to the sauce.
- Rice vinegar (1.5 tablespoons): Introduces a slight tang that brightens up the savory sauce beautifully.
- Sesame oil (1 teaspoon): Just a little goes a long way to infuse a nutty aroma and depth.
- Ground ginger (½ teaspoon): Warms and spices the sauce delicately without overpowering.
- Garlic powder (¼ teaspoon): Adds subtle savory notes that round out the flavors.
- Cilantro: Fresh herb garnish that adds a refreshing herbal lift at the end.
- Chopped peanuts: For a crunchy topping that enhances both texture and peanut flavor.
How to Make Easy Thai Peanut Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Chicken and Vegetables
Start by heating the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken and stir-fry along with the broccoli florets and chopped red bell pepper. Cooking for about 10 minutes, you want the chicken to turn opaque and be cooked through while the vegetables remain crisp and vibrant. This step sets the stage by getting the main ingredients tender but still bursting with texture.
Step 2: Prepare the Peanut Sauce
While the chicken and veggies are cooking, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, coconut milk, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, and garlic powder in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. This sauce is the magic that brings everything together, balancing creamy, sweet, tangy, and savory notes that are signature to this Easy Thai Peanut Chicken Recipe.
Step 3: Combine and Coat
Pour the luscious peanut sauce over the cooked chicken and vegetables in the skillet. Stir everything thoroughly so each piece is generously coated with the sauce. This step ensures every mouthful tastes as rich and flavorful as the last, enveloping the tender chicken and crunchy veggies in a silky glaze.
Step 4: Serve and Garnish
Serve the peanut chicken hot over steamed rice, which soaks up the sauce beautifully. Sprinkle chopped cilantro and chopped peanuts on top for freshness and an extra crunch that elevates the dish’s texture and presentation.
How to Serve Easy Thai Peanut Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh cilantro and chopped peanuts aren’t just decorative—they add a burst of herbal freshness and a delightful crunch that complements the creamy peanut sauce perfectly. You can also add a lime wedge for a zesty twist, or thinly sliced green onions to brighten up the flavors even more.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with simple steamed jasmine or basmati rice to soak up all the sauce. For an extra veggie boost, serve it alongside quick-cooked bok choy, snap peas, or a crunchy Asian slaw. Light cucumber salad with a touch of chili also provides a refreshing contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress at your next dinner? Try serving this Thai peanut chicken over a bed of spiralized zucchini noodles or fluffy quinoa for a fun twist. You can also pack it into lettuce wraps for a fresh and low-carb option, making it perfect for lunch or casual gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Easy Thai Peanut Chicken Recipe in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it taste even better the next day!
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce separately from the rice for up to two months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Fresh garnishes like cilantro and peanuts are best added after reheating for maximum freshness and crunch.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure the peanut sauce doesn’t separate. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or coconut milk to loosen it back up.
FAQs
Can I use peanut butter alternatives for this recipe?
Absolutely! If you have peanut allergies or just want to try a different flavor, almond butter or sunflower seed butter are excellent substitutes that maintain the creaminess and nutty depth.
Is this recipe spicy?
This Easy Thai Peanut Chicken Recipe is mild by default, perfect for all palates. However, you can easily add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of Sriracha if you like a bit of heat.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Simply use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari instead of regular soy sauce, and double-check that your peanut butter and other ingredients don’t contain gluten additives.
How can I make this dish vegetarian or vegan?
Swap out the chicken for firm tofu or tempeh and use a plant-based soy sauce. The peanut sauce is already vegan-friendly, making this a simple and delicious vegetarian version.
What rice is best to serve with this Easy Thai Peanut Chicken Recipe?
Jasmine rice is a classic and fragrant choice that complements the dish beautifully, but basmati or even brown rice work well too, depending on your preference for texture and nutrition.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly comforting about a dish that feels homemade yet sophisticated, and this Easy Thai Peanut Chicken Recipe checks all those boxes. From the creamy peanut sauce to the fresh pops of veggies and herbs, every bite feels like a warm hug on a plate. I highly encourage you to give this recipe a try soon—you just might find it becoming your new favorite go-to that everyone will ask for again and again.
Print
Easy Thai Peanut Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
This Easy Thai Peanut Chicken recipe combines tender cubed chicken with crisp broccoli and vibrant red bell peppers in a creamy, flavorful peanut sauce. Cooked quickly in a skillet and finished with fresh cilantro and chopped peanuts, this dish is a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both satisfying and packed with Thai-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1.5 pounds chicken, cubed
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1.5 cups broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
Peanut Sauce
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons canned coconut milk
- 1.5 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro
- Chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken and Vegetables: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken along with the broccoli florets and chopped red bell pepper. Cook and stir for about 10 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink inside, and the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Prepare the Peanut Sauce: While the chicken cooks, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, canned coconut milk, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, and garlic powder in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Pour the prepared peanut sauce over the cooked chicken and vegetables in the skillet. Stir thoroughly to evenly coat everything with the creamy sauce and heat through for 1-2 minutes.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the Thai peanut chicken over a bed of steamed rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and a sprinkle of chopped peanuts for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use natural peanut butter for a smoother and less sweet sauce.
- Adjust the amount of soy sauce and honey to taste depending on your preferred balance of salty and sweet.
- For a spicier twist, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the peanut sauce.
- This dish pairs well with jasmine or basmati rice.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
