Description
This delicious Peanut Butter Sauce for Chicken recipe combines tender, seasoned chicken with a rich and flavorful peanut sauce, creating a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and slightly spicy notes. Served over rice with vegetables like shredded carrots and roasted broccoli, this easy-to-make dish is perfect for a wholesome family meal in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken and Base
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast (about 2-3 breasts), cubed
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Peanut Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos (or gluten-free tamari soy sauce)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 – 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper (optional, adjust to taste)
To Serve
- Brown or basmati rice
- Shredded carrots
- Roasted broccoli
- Peanuts
- Crushed red pepper
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Cube Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into small, bite-sized cubes to ensure they cook evenly and absorb the sauce well.
- Heat Oil: Place a pan over medium-high heat and add the coconut oil, allowing it to warm up for a minute.
- Cook Onions: Add the chopped onions to the hot oil and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until they soften and become translucent.
- Add Chicken & Seasoning: Incorporate the cubed chicken into the pan along with cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Stir to evenly coat the chicken with the spices.
- Cook Chicken: Cook the chicken for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is fully cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
- Mix Sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine peanut butter, coconut aminos (or soy sauce), honey, rice vinegar, tomato sauce, chicken broth, minced garlic, ginger powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper (if using) in a bowl. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
- Pour Sauce & Coat Chicken: Pour the prepared peanut sauce over the cooked chicken in the pan and stir well to ensure all pieces are coated evenly.
- Bring To Simmer: Increase the heat slightly if needed and allow the sauce to come to a gentle simmer.
- Cook & Stir: Let the sauce simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens slightly and reduces to a flavorful consistency.
- Enjoy: Remove the pan from heat. Serve the peanut butter chicken warm over cooked brown or basmati rice, garnished with shredded carrots, roasted broccoli, peanuts, crushed red pepper, and fresh cilantro as desired.
Notes
- Adjust crushed red pepper quantity to control spiciness.
- Use gluten-free tamari for a gluten-free version.
- Vegetable broth can be used as a substitute for chicken broth to make the sauce vegetarian-friendly (chicken must be replaced accordingly).
- Peanut sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated; reheat gently with chicken before serving.
- Ensure chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
