Thai Peanut Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

Introduction

This Thai Peanut Chicken recipe is a flavorful and creamy dish that combines tender chicken with a rich peanut sauce. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels both comforting and exotic. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
• ½ cup coconut milk (or regular milk)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped peanuts (for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
• Steamed rice or noodles, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked through and golden brown. Remove from skillet and let rest a few minutes. Slice into strips or cubes.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed. Sauté the minced garlic and ginger for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sriracha, and coconut milk to the skillet. Stir well to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is smooth and heated through.
4. Step 4: Stir in lime juice and sesame oil. Taste and adjust seasoning with more sriracha for heat or honey for sweetness if desired.
5. Step 5: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet and toss to coat well in the peanut sauce.
6. Step 6: Serve the Thai Peanut Chicken over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with tofu or tempeh and adjust cooking time accordingly.
• Use natural peanut butter for a more authentic flavor and adjust sweetness by adding a bit more honey if needed.
• Try adding steamed vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers for extra color and nutrition.
• If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the sriracha sauce.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of coconut milk or water if the sauce thickens too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe?

Yes, both boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs work well. Thighs offer a juicier texture while breasts are leaner; cook times are similar for both.

What can I serve with Thai Peanut Chicken?

This dish pairs perfectly with steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or noodles. You can also add steamed or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.

Thai Peanut Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.6 from 111 reviews

This Thai Peanut Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts or thighs cooked in a rich, creamy peanut sauce infused with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, honey, and a touch of spicy sriracha. Served over steamed rice or noodles and garnished with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro, this dish offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors that bring authentic Thai-inspired taste to your dinner table.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Thai

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Peanut Sauce

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
• ½ cup coconut milk (or regular milk)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Garnish

• 2 tablespoons chopped peanuts
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

To Serve

• Steamed rice or noodles

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring they are evenly coated for flavor.
2. Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6 to 7 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet and let rest for a few minutes before slicing into strips or cubes.
3. Sauté the Aromatics: In the same skillet, add more vegetable oil if needed, then sauté the minced garlic and ginger for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
4. Prepare the Sauce: Add peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sriracha, and coconut milk to the skillet with the aromatics. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Finish the Sauce: Stir in lime juice and sesame oil. Taste the sauce and adjust by adding more sriracha for heat or honey for sweetness according to your preference.
6. Combine and Serve: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat the pieces thoroughly in the peanut sauce.
7. Garnish and Serve: Serve the Thai Peanut Chicken over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped peanuts and freshly chopped cilantro for added texture and freshness.

Notes

• You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts for juicier meat.
• Adjust the sriracha quantity to suit your preferred spice level.
• The sauce can be made with regular milk if you prefer a milder flavor over coconut milk.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
• Leftover chicken can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Thai peanut chicken, peanut sauce, chicken recipe, Asian cuisine, quick dinner, spicy peanut chicken