Irresistible Thai Peanut Chicken for Any Occasion

Highlighted under: Global Flavors

Savor the mouthwatering blend of creamy peanut sauce and tender, juicy chicken in this irresistible Thai Peanut Chicken recipe. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings, this dish combines fresh vegetables and aromatic spices to create a delightful meal that will impress everyone at your table. Quick to prepare and bursting with flavor, it’s an easy way to bring a taste of Thailand to your home.

Josie Lambert

Created by

Josie Lambert

Last updated on 2025-12-14T02:50:58.274Z

This dish is a celebration of flavors, bringing together creamy, spicy, and savory elements that create an unforgettable dining experience.

A Burst of Flavors

The delightful fusion of creamy peanut butter and savory soy sauce creates a flavor explosion that dances on your palate. This Thai Peanut Chicken fuses the richness of peanuts with a zing of lime and the aromatic warmth of garlic and ginger, making it a sensory delight. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, blending harmoniously to enhance the chicken and elevate the overall dish. This is why it's not just a meal, but a culinary experience that transports you straight to the streets of Thailand.

Furthermore, the balancing act of sweet, salty, and tangy notes in the sauce brings a unique charm to the dish. Every bite offers a satisfying crunch from the chopped peanuts and a burst of freshness from the cilantro and green onions. It’s sure to captivate and please the taste buds of every guest, making it a perfect choice for any occasion.

Quick and Easy Preparation

One of the standout features of this Thai Peanut Chicken recipe is its simplicity and speed. Designed for busy lifestyles, this dish can be on your table in under 30 minutes. The use of bite-sized chicken pieces ensures even cooking, while the streamlined steps mean less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal with loved ones. It’s a perfect choice for those weeknight dinners when you want something delicious yet effortless.

In addition, the peanut sauce is easy to whip up. With just a handful of pantry staples, you can create a rich and velvety sauce that outshines anything you might find in a bottle. This makes it not only a quick option but also a customizable one—the sauce can be adjusted to fit your taste preferences, allowing you to make it spicier or sweeter as desired.

Health Benefits

This Thai Peanut Chicken isn’t just a feast for your taste buds but also offers various health benefits. Chicken breast is an excellent source of lean protein, essential for building muscle and maintaining a healthy weight. The addition of peanut butter provides healthy fats, vitamins, and nutrients like magnesium and vitamin E, which can promote heart health. When paired with fresh vegetables and served over rice, this dish becomes a well-rounded meal loaded with essential nutrients.

Moreover, incorporating ginger and garlic into your cooking adds more than flavor; both ingredients are known for their numerous health benefits. Ginger can aid digestion and reduce inflammation, while garlic is celebrated for its immune-boosting properties. Together, they create a dish that nourishes your body while delivering a robust taste experience.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Peanut Sauce

  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
  • Water as needed to thin the sauce

For Serving

  • Cooked rice
  • Chopped green onions
  • Chopped peanuts
  • Fresh cilantro

Feel free to customize your choice of vegetables to include bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli.

Steps

Prepare the Chicken

In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Make the Peanut Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, garlic, and ginger. Add water as needed to reach your desired consistency.

Combine

Return the chicken to the skillet and pour the peanut sauce over it. Stir to coat the chicken evenly and heat through for another 2-3 minutes.

Serve

Serve the Thai Peanut Chicken over cooked rice and garnish with chopped green onions, peanuts, and cilantro.

Enjoy your dish warm, with additional lime wedges on the side if desired!

Serving Suggestions

To elevate your Thai Peanut Chicken dish, consider serving it with a side of stir-fried vegetables. Colorful bell peppers, snow peas, and carrots not only add crunch but also brighten the plate, making it visually appealing. Adding a squeeze of lime over the vegetables can enhance their flavor, creating a vibrant accompaniment to the rich peanut sauce.

For an authentic experience, serve the dish with jasmine rice, which adds a fragrant touch that complements the flavors beautifully. Alternatively, cauliflower rice can be a lighter, low-carb option that pairs well with the creamy peanut sauce while adding another nutritional component.

Storage and Reheating

If you have leftovers, storing them is simple and straightforward. Allow the dish to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. It will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it a great option for meal prep or quick lunches throughout the week.

When it comes to reheating, the stovetop is preferred. Gently warming it in a skillet with a splash of water helps to keep the chicken juicy and the sauce creamy. Stir occasionally until heated through, ensuring that you maintain the dish's delicious flavors without losing any of its delightful textures.

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Questions About Recipes

→ Can I use other proteins?

Absolutely! This recipe works great with shrimp, tofu, or beef.

→ How can I make it spicier?

Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the peanut sauce for an extra kick.

Irresistible Thai Peanut Chicken for Any Occasion

Savor the mouthwatering blend of creamy peanut sauce and tender, juicy chicken in this irresistible Thai Peanut Chicken recipe. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings, this dish combines fresh vegetables and aromatic spices to create a delightful meal that will impress everyone at your table. Quick to prepare and bursting with flavor, it’s an easy way to bring a taste of Thailand to your home.

Prep Time15 minutes
Cooking Duration20 minutes
Overall Time35 minutes

Created by: Josie Lambert

Recipe Type: Global Flavors

Skill Level: Easy

Final Quantity: 4 servings

What You'll Need

For the Chicken

  1. 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  2. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  3. Salt and pepper to taste

For the Peanut Sauce

  1. 1/2 cup peanut butter
  2. 1/4 cup soy sauce
  3. 1 tablespoon honey
  4. 1 tablespoon lime juice
  5. 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  6. 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
  7. Water as needed to thin the sauce

For Serving

  1. Cooked rice
  2. Chopped green onions
  3. Chopped peanuts
  4. Fresh cilantro

How-To Steps

Step 01

In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 02

In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, garlic, and ginger. Add water as needed to reach your desired consistency.

Step 03

Return the chicken to the skillet and pour the peanut sauce over it. Stir to coat the chicken evenly and heat through for another 2-3 minutes.

Step 04

Serve the Thai Peanut Chicken over cooked rice and garnish with chopped green onions, peanuts, and cilantro.

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 450
  • Protein: 30g
  • Fat: 25g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g