Cozy Slow-Simmered Thai Peanut Chicken Delight Recipe

Have you ever craved a slow-simmered Thai peanut chicken delight that transports you straight to Bangkok’s vibrant street markets?

Aromas of rich, spicy sauce will dance through your kitchen.

Tender chicken pieces nestle in a luxurious peanut-infused broth that promises comfort and excitement.

Each bite carries complex layers of flavor, blending sweet, tangy, and savory notes.

Creamy peanut undertones complement the bold Thai spices perfectly.

Weeknight dinners just became an incredible culinary adventure waiting to unfold.

You’ll want to savor every single delectable spoonful of this magnificent meal.

Thai Peanut Chicken Stew Is Made for Cozy Nights

Effortless Cooking Magic: Achieve restaurant-quality Thai flavors with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for busy home cooks wanting delicious meals without complex techniques.

Set-and-Forget Convenience: Slow cooker method means you can prep ingredients quickly, then walk away while the dish transforms into a mouthwatering meal with zero constant monitoring.

Family-Friendly Flavor Adventure: Combines kid-friendly chicken with mild Thai-inspired sauce that introduces exciting international tastes without overwhelming spice levels, making it a crowd-pleasing dinner option.

Versatile Meal Transformer: Easily adaptable recipe that works as a weeknight dinner, meal prep option, or casual gathering dish – simply serve over rice or noodles and customize with optional garnishes like peanuts and cilantro.

Thai Peanut Chicken Slow Cooked Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: The star of the dish, providing lean protein and serving as the base for the slow-cooked meal. Choose fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the best texture and flavor.

• Coconut Milk, Peanut Butter: Creates a rich, creamy base for the Thai-inspired sauce. Look for full-fat coconut milk and natural peanut butter without added sugars.
• Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory flavors. Local, raw honey works best for depth of flavor.
• Soy Sauce: Brings umami and saltiness to the dish. Low-sodium option recommended for better control of salt content.

• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth and classic Thai-inspired flavor. Fresh minced garlic is preferred over pre-minced varieties.
• Lime Juice: Adds bright, citrusy acidity to cut through the richness. Fresh lime juice is more vibrant than bottled.
• Rice Wine Vinegar: Contributes subtle tanginess and helps tenderize the chicken. Look for unseasoned rice vinegar.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a gentle heat to the sauce. Adjust amount based on spice preference.

• Peanuts, Cilantro: Fresh toppings that add crunch and herbal freshness. Roughly chopped peanuts and freshly chopped cilantro recommended.

Thai Peanut Chicken Slow-Simmered Prep

Step 1: Prep the Protein

Nestle chicken breasts into the base of a spacious slow cooker, creating a tender foundation for this flavor-packed dish.

Step 2: Create Magical Sauce

• Coconut milk
• Peanut butter
• Minced garlic
• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Lime juice
• Rice wine vinegar
• Crushed red pepper flakes

Blend until the mixture transforms into a smooth, glossy liquid that promises incredible flavor.

Step 3: Coat and Cover

Cascade the luscious peanut sauce over the chicken, ensuring every inch gets a delicious bath.

Make sure each piece is thoroughly embraced by the sauce.

Step 4: Slow and Steady Cooking

Cover the slow cooker and let it work its magic on LOW heat for 3-5 hours.

The chicken will become supremely tender and infused with incredible Thai-inspired flavors.

Step 5: Shred the Goodness

Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker.

Using two forks, gently pull the chicken apart into delectable bite-sized pieces.

Step 6: Sauce Reunion

Return the shredded chicken to its sauce bath.

Let it simmer and mingle for an additional 10-15 minutes on the WARM setting, allowing flavors to intensify.

Step 7: Plate and Garnish

Serve this mouthwatering creation over steaming rice or silky rice noodles.

• Chopped peanuts
• Fresh cilantro

Enjoy your culinary masterpiece!

Easy Tips for Thai Peanut Chicken

• Use chicken breasts with some fat content or consider bone-in chicken thighs for extra moisture and richer flavor.
• If the sauce is too thin, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir into the sauce during the last 15 minutes of cooking to thicken.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat preference, starting with less and adding more gradually for personalized spiciness.
• Toast peanuts before garnishing to enhance their nutty taste and add a subtle crunch to the final dish.
• Swap honey with maple syrup for a vegan version, or use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free alternative.

Thai Peanut Chicken Reheat Ideas

• Store leftover Thai peanut chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for maximum 3 months, ensuring no air pockets.
• Warm chicken in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or coconut milk to prevent drying and maintain sauce consistency.
• Place chicken in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed to 165°F.

Thai Peanut Chicken Pairing Picks

• Elevate Flavor Harmony: Pair this Thai Peanut Chicken with crisp Riesling to balance the dish's rich, spicy notes with its slight sweetness and refreshing acidity.
• Complementary Crunch Companion: Serve alongside a green papaya salad with tangy lime dressing to provide a cool, crunchy contrast to the creamy, tender chicken.
• Textural Rice Enhancement: Choose jasmine or basmati rice to soak up the delicious peanut sauce, creating a perfect base that absorbs and highlights the complex flavors.
• Herbal Freshness Booster: Sprinkle extra fresh cilantro and mint leaves just before serving to introduce bright, aromatic elements that cut through the sauce's richness.

Thai Peanut Chicken Cooked With Swaps

• Spicy Kickback Variation: Replace red pepper flakes with sriracha sauce for an extra heat punch, perfect for those who love bold flavors.
• Vegan Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, using vegetable broth instead of chicken for a plant-based version that maintains the rich peanut sauce profile.
• Allergen-Friendly Option: Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter for those with nut allergies, and swap soy sauce with coconut aminos to create a gluten-free and nut-free alternative.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Skip rice noodles and serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles, reducing carbohydrate content while keeping the original recipe's delicious essence.

FAQs

• How spicy is this Thai Peanut Chicken?

The crushed red pepper flakes add a mild kick, but you can adjust the heat level by reducing or increasing the amount of pepper flakes to suit your taste preference.

• Can I use a different type of nut butter?

While peanut butter is traditional, you can substitute almond butter or cashew butter for a slightly different flavor profile, though it will change the classic Thai taste.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use tamari instead of regular soy sauce and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

• What cut of chicken works best for this recipe?

Chicken breasts are ideal, but you can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more tender and flavorful result that holds up well in the slow cooker.

Slow-Simmered Thai Peanut Chicken Delight Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Simmering with exotic flavors, slow-simmered thai peanut chicken delight brings spicy Thai street cuisine directly to kitchen tables. Rich peanut sauce and tender chicken create an irresistible harmony that beckons you to savor each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Sauce and Flavor Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) natural peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) canned coconut milk
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) honey
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) lime juice
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) rice wine vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

Garnish and Serving Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup (45 grams) chopped peanuts
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Cooked rice or rice noodles

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Position tender chicken breasts at the base of a capacious slow cooker, creating a foundation for the flavorful dish.
2. Craft a harmonious peanut sauce by vigorously whisking coconut milk, creamy peanut butter, aromatic garlic, golden honey, savory soy sauce, zesty lime juice, tangy rice wine vinegar, and fiery crushed red pepper flakes until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
3. Cascade the meticulously prepared sauce over the chicken, meticulously ensuring each piece is lavishly coated with the complex flavor profile.
4. Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the chicken to gently simmer on LOW temperature for 3-5 hours, transforming the meat into a fork-tender delicacy.
5. Delicately extract the fully cooked chicken from the liquid, utilizing two forks to deconstruct the protein into rustic, succulent fragments.
6. Reunite the shredded chicken with its luxurious sauce, stirring gently to integrate the flavors and maintain optimal temperature on the WARM setting for an additional 10-15 minutes.
7. Present the aromatic Thai peanut chicken atop a bed of steamed rice or delicate rice noodles, embellishing with a sprinkle of crunchy chopped peanuts and vibrant fresh cilantro for a visually stunning and flavor-packed meal.

Notes

• Swap chicken breasts with thighs for extra juiciness and richer flavor, as they stay more tender during slow cooking.
• Reduce honey or use sugar-free alternatives for a lower-carb version perfect for diabetic or keto diet followers.
• Toast peanuts before garnishing to enhance their nutty aroma and add a delightful crunch to the final dish.
• Add a splash of fish sauce for deeper umami complexity if you enjoy more traditional Thai flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 610
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg