Description
This Easy Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken recipe combines tender chicken pieces with a rich, creamy peanut sauce that is both sweet and savory. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it’s served over steamed white rice and garnished with green onions and toasted sesame seeds for an authentic touch.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp sesame oil
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
For Garnish and Serving:
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Steamed white rice, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, creamy peanut butter, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, chicken broth, and red pepper flakes until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Set this sauce aside.
- Coat the chicken: In a separate bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with cornstarch until they are lightly and evenly coated, which will help create a slight crust when cooked.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Add the sauce to chicken: Reduce the heat to medium and pour the prepared peanut sauce into the skillet with the chicken. Stir well to coat all the pieces.
- Simmer the sauce: Let the sauce simmer with the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens and becomes glossy, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish with sesame oil: Stir in a small splash of sesame oil for added flavor and remove the skillet from heat.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the dish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve the peanut butter chicken hot over steamed white rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Add sautéed bell peppers or broccoli for extra vegetables and nutrition.
- Adjust the sweetness by increasing or decreasing the amount of honey to suit your taste.
- For added texture, use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy.
