Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of this Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken, a dish that brings together creamy peanut butter, savory soy sauce, and aromatic garlic for an irresistible meal. The chicken becomes fall-apart tender as it simmers in the slow cooker, soaking up all the bold Thai-inspired flavors. Served over jasmine rice or noodles, this dish is a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spicy notes. What makes this recipe a game-changer is its simplicity just a few minutes of prep time, and the slow cooker does all the work. Whether you’re preparing a stress-free weeknight dinner or meal-prepping for the week ahead, this peanut chicken is guaranteed to be a family favorite. Plus, it’s easy to customize with different proteins or veggies, making it a versatile dish for any occasion.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup peanut butter (natural, creamy or crunchy)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Directions:
- Add the bell pepper, onion, and garlic to the bottom of your slow cooker. Place the chicken breasts on top.
- In a bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and chili garlic paste until smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or on LOW for 4-5 hours.
- Once the chicken is fully cooked and tender, stir in the lime juice and cilantro.
- Serve over cooked jasmine rice or noodles. Garnish with extra cilantro and crushed peanuts if desired.
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 4 hours (on LOW) | Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Kcal: 439 kcal per serving | Servings: 4
The Beauty of Slow Cooking
One of the best things about this Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken is how easy it is to prepare. With just a few minutes of prep work, you can set everything in the crockpot and let it do all the hard work. Slow cooking allows the flavors to develop deeply while keeping the chicken incredibly moist and tender. As the sauce simmers, the ingredients meld together, creating a rich and balanced dish that is bursting with flavor.
This recipe is also incredibly versatile. While it traditionally uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you can easily swap in chicken thighs for extra juiciness or even a plant-based protein like tofu for a vegetarian twist. The slow-cooked peanut sauce pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, from jasmine rice and rice noodles to steamed vegetables and crunchy slaws.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are countless reasons to love this Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken, but here are a few highlights:
-
Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor – With just a few simple steps, you can create a meal that tastes like it took hours of effort in the kitchen. The slow cooker does all the work, allowing you to focus on other tasks while your meal simmers to perfection.
-
Rich and Creamy Peanut Sauce – The star of this dish is undoubtedly the peanut sauce. Made with natural peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili garlic paste, it delivers a perfect balance of savory, nutty, and slightly spicy flavors.
-
Customizable to Your Taste – This dish can be easily adapted to suit different dietary preferences. Need it to be nut-free? Swap out the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter or tahini. Prefer a vegetarian version? Substitute the chicken with tofu or jackfruit.
-
Great for Meal Prep – Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken stores well in the fridge and even freezes beautifully, making it an excellent choice for meal prepping. You can enjoy leftovers throughout the week with different sides to keep things interesting.
The Secret to a Perfect Peanut Sauce
The key to achieving the best peanut sauce lies in using high-quality, natural ingredients. Instead of using processed peanut butter with added sugars and preservatives, opt for a natural version that contains just peanuts and salt. This ensures that your sauce is rich, creamy, and packed with pure peanut flavor.
Soy sauce adds a salty, umami depth, while honey provides a hint of sweetness that balances out the richness of the peanut butter. Sesame oil enhances the nutty notes, and chili garlic paste brings just the right amount of heat. A splash of lime juice at the end brightens up the dish, cutting through the richness and adding a touch of acidity for a well-rounded flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving options. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy it:
- Over Rice: Jasmine rice, coconut rice, or brown rice all work wonderfully as a base for this dish, soaking up the creamy peanut sauce.
- With Noodles: Serve over rice noodles, udon, or even zucchini noodles for a lighter option.
- With Vegetables: Pair with steamed broccoli, carrots, snap peas, or a crunchy Asian slaw for added texture and nutrition.
- In Wraps or Tacos: Shred the chicken and use it as a filling for lettuce wraps or tortillas for a fun and flavorful twist.
How to Customize Your Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to modify based on your personal preferences or dietary needs. Here are some ideas for customizing it:
- Make it spicier – Add extra chili garlic paste, red pepper flakes, or a dash of sriracha for more heat.
- Add more vegetables – While bell peppers and onions add great flavor, you can toss in mushrooms, baby corn, bok choy, or even sweet potatoes for extra nutrients.
- Try different proteins – This recipe works well with shrimp, beef, or even pork instead of chicken. If you’re vegetarian, tofu or tempeh are great alternatives.
- Enhance the sauce – For an even creamier sauce, stir in a little coconut milk towards the end of the cooking process.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
One of the greatest perks of this Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken is how well it keeps for later. If you’re making a big batch, here’s how to store and reheat it:
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Freezing: This dish freezes well for up to 3 months. Store portions in freezer-safe containers, and when ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Conclusion:
Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken is the perfect balance of convenience and bold, irresistible flavors. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner, a meal-prep-friendly dish, or a comforting and satisfying meal, this recipe checks all the boxes. The creamy peanut sauce, tender chicken, and customizable serving options make it a go-to meal that never gets boring.