Description
Succulent slow cooker peanut chicken delivers bold Thai-inspired flavors that dance across taste buds. Fragrant spices and creamy peanut sauce create an irresistible meal perfect for weekend dinners you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
- 0.5 cup creamy peanut butter
- 0.25 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 0.25 cup coconut milk (or chicken broth)
- 2 tbsps rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 0.25 cup chopped peanuts (for garnish)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauce Preparation: Whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, coconut milk, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes into a smooth, harmonious blend, creating a rich flavor foundation.
- Chicken Arrangement: Position chicken pieces in slow cooker, generously coating with the prepared peanut sauce, ensuring comprehensive coverage and flavor infusion.
- Slow Cooking Process: Cover and cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours or high setting for 3-4 hours, allowing chicken to tenderize and absorb the complex sauce profile, reaching optimal succulence.
- Meat Transformation: Shred chicken directly in cooking vessel using two forks, thoroughly mixing with sauce to distribute flavors and create a cohesive, mouthwatering texture.
- Serving Finale: Plate the peanut chicken over steamed rice or noodles, garnishing with chopped peanuts, green onion slivers, and fresh cilantro leaves to enhance visual appeal and provide textural contrast.
Notes
- Sauce Consistency Matters: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, well-blended sauce that coats chicken evenly.
- Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally, preventing undercooking while maintaining moisture.
- Flavor Depth Technique: Allow chicken to marinate briefly in sauce before slow cooking to enhance overall taste absorption and tenderness.
- Dietary Adaptation Options: Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh for vegetarian version, use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free alternative, and reduce honey for lower-sugar preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (on low) or 3 hours (on high)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg