This Thai Peanut Chicken is a delightful fusion of creamy peanut butter, tender chicken, and aromatic spices, all simmered to perfection in your slow cooker. The combination of lime juice, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce creates a rich, flavorful sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.
Served over a bed of rice noodles and garnished with crushed peanuts, bean sprouts, and fresh garlic chives, this dish offers a satisfying and comforting meal. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is sure to impress with its bold flavors and ease of preparation.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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1 small red bell pepper, sliced
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1 small yellow bell pepper, sliced
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1 onion, chopped
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1 kg skinless chicken breasts
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½ cup chunky or creamy peanut butter
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1 tablespoon lime juice
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½ cup chicken stock
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2 tablespoons honey
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¼ cup soy sauce
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 small piece fresh ginger, minced
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½ teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
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Cooked rice noodles, to serve
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¼ cup crushed peanuts for topping
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½ cup bean sprouts
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1 bunch garlic chives, sliced into 8cm lengths
Directions:
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Add red and yellow bell peppers, and chopped onion to the Crock-Pot®.
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Place chicken breasts on top of the vegetables.
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In a food processor, combine peanut butter, lime juice, chicken stock, honey, and soy sauce until smooth and creamy.
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Pour the peanut sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the Crock-Pot®.
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Add minced garlic, fresh ginger, and crushed red chili flakes.
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Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours.
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Remove chicken from the Crock-Pot®, shred or dice it, and return it to the pot. Stir to combine with the sauce.
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Serve over cooked rice noodles and garnish with crushed peanuts, bean sprouts, and sliced garlic chives.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 4 hours (HIGH) or 8 hours (LOW)
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (HIGH) or 8 hours 15 minutes (LOW)
Kcal: Approximately 467 kcal per serving
Servings: 4 servings
A Slow Cooker Gem Inspired by Thai Cuisine
Thai Peanut Chicken is a wonderfully rich, comforting dish that combines the classic flavors of Southeast Asian cooking with the convenience of modern-day appliances. At the heart of this recipe is the harmony of peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, lime, and a touch of heat, brought together in a way that feels indulgent yet homey. Using a slow cooker allows all of these bold ingredients to gently meld over time, tenderizing the chicken and creating a thick, luscious sauce that clings beautifully to every bite.
This recipe is especially appealing because it’s easy to assemble with minimal prep and ideal for those busy days when you want a wholesome, flavor-packed meal without hovering over a stove. Whether you’re an experienced home chef or a beginner just diving into Thai flavors, this dish offers a foolproof way to bring restaurant-quality food into your kitchen.
The Magic of Thai Peanut Sauce
The soul of this recipe lies in the irresistible peanut sauce. Creamy peanut butter acts as the base, bringing richness and nutty depth to the dish. Soy sauce adds umami and saltiness, while lime juice balances everything out with its bright acidity. Freshly minced garlic and ginger layer in aromatics that are instantly recognizable in Thai cooking, making the sauce not only flavorful but deeply comforting. A splash of honey introduces subtle sweetness, rounding out the savory-spicy elements in perfect harmony.
What’s particularly impressive about the sauce is its versatility. While it shines in this slow-cooked chicken dish, it can also be used as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, drizzled over roasted vegetables, or even tossed with noodles for a quick stir-fry.
Slow Cooking for Maximum Flavor
The slow cooker (or Crock-Pot®) is an unsung hero in many kitchens, and it’s the perfect tool for Thai Peanut Chicken. When cooking low and slow, chicken breasts turn tender and juicy without drying out, and the sauce has time to thicken naturally while absorbing every essence of spice and sweetness. This hands-off approach makes the dish nearly impossible to mess up, making it ideal for busy households, meal preppers, and anyone craving a low-effort, high-reward dinner.
Using the slow cooker also allows the flavors to deepen as they cook, giving the sauce a silky texture and the chicken a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that stovetop methods don’t always deliver. You can start it in the morning and come home to an aromatic, ready-to-serve meal.
A Balanced Meal with Layers of Texture
Thai Peanut Chicken is more than just a flavorful main dish—it’s a complete, satisfying meal. When served over a bed of rice noodles or jasmine rice, the starch soaks up the flavorful sauce and helps temper the richness of the peanut butter. Toppings like crushed peanuts and bean sprouts add crunch and freshness, creating a multi-textured eating experience that’s both exciting and comforting.
Garlic chives lend a mild, oniony flavor that cuts through the richness, while bell peppers and onions—cooked slowly in the sauce—become tender and sweet, adding a vegetable element that makes this dish feel even more well-rounded.
Customizing the Recipe to Your Taste
One of the great things about this dish is how adaptable it is. Prefer more heat? Add extra crushed chili flakes or a spoonful of Thai red curry paste. Want it vegetarian? Substitute the chicken with tofu or chickpeas and use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock. Need it low-carb? Skip the noodles and serve it over steamed broccoli or cauliflower rice.
You can also experiment with the nut butter. While peanut butter is the traditional choice, almond butter or cashew butter can bring a slightly different flavor profile that’s equally delicious. Each change allows you to make this dish uniquely your own without losing its essence.
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
Thai Peanut Chicken is an ideal candidate for meal prep. The flavors only get better over time, making it perfect for leftovers. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days, or freeze in portions for up to three months. When reheating, a splash of water or broth can help loosen the sauce and bring it back to its original creamy texture.
You can also cook a double batch and enjoy it in multiple ways throughout the week—stuff it into lettuce wraps, serve over rice bowls, or tuck it into warm flatbreads with pickled vegetables for a Thai-inspired sandwich.
Why This Dish is So Loved
Thai Peanut Chicken checks a lot of boxes. It’s comforting, flavorful, easy to make, and adaptable to a range of diets and preferences. The balance of savory, sweet, spicy, and sour flavors keeps every bite exciting, while the slow cooker makes the whole process convenient and stress-free.
It also introduces home cooks to the complexity of Thai flavors in an approachable way. If you’ve never cooked with ingredients like fresh ginger, lime juice, or peanut sauce, this recipe is a great starting point to explore the magic of Southeast Asian cooking without feeling intimidated.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Though it’s incredibly simple to prepare, Thai Peanut Chicken is elegant and bold enough to serve at dinner parties, potlucks, or gatherings. It brings warmth to the table and is often met with enthusiasm, even by those who might not be familiar with Thai cuisine.
It’s also a great go-to dish when you want to break the monotony of your weekly menu. The exotic flavors provide a refreshing break from the usual chicken recipes, offering something unique yet still approachable for all taste buds.
Conclusion
Thai Peanut Chicken is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of flavors, textures, and cooking simplicity. With minimal effort and maximum payoff, this dish brings the bold, comforting essence of Thai cooking into your home. From the creamy, nutty sauce to the tender, slow-cooked chicken and vibrant toppings, every element works together to create a dish that feels both exotic and familiar.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd, planning a week of meals, or just looking to explore global flavors from the comfort of your kitchen, Thai Peanut Chicken is a recipe you’ll find yourself coming back to time and time again. Let this dish be your gateway into the colorful, fragrant, and absolutely delicious world of Thai cuisine.