Description
This Cooker Peanut Chicken is a delicious and easy slow cooker recipe featuring tender boneless chicken thighs simmered in a rich, creamy peanut sauce made with coconut milk, soy sauce, and aromatic spices. Perfect served over rice or noodles and garnished with crunchy peanuts and green onions, it’s a comforting meal that requires minimal prep and hands-off cooking time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Peanut Sauce
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Garnish
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
Serving
- Cooked rice or noodles (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Rinse the chicken thighs under cold water and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. Trim off any visible fat and cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the peanut sauce: In a medium bowl, combine creamy peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Whisk until smooth and fully blended.
- Add aromatics and seasoning: Stir in minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes into the peanut sauce. Whisk again until everything is evenly incorporated. Adjust the thickness with more coconut milk if the sauce is too thick.
- Combine in slow cooker: Place the chicken pieces evenly into the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour the prepared peanut sauce over the chicken ensuring all pieces are coated well. Gently stir with a spatula to mix.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. About 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, gently stir the chicken to redistribute the sauce.
- Serve: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to a serving platter, allowing excess sauce to drain. Drizzle some of the remaining peanut sauce over the chicken.
- Garnish and enjoy: Serve the peanut chicken over cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped green onions and chopped peanuts for added crunch and flavor.
Notes
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred heat level or omit for a milder dish.
- If the sauce is too thick before cooking, add a bit more coconut milk to loosen it.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure the soy sauce used is gluten-free.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with boneless skinless chicken breasts if preferred, though thighs tend to stay more moist in slow cooking.
