Description
A creamy and flavorful Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts or thighs simmered in a rich peanut sauce with coconut milk, soy sauce, lime, and spices. Perfectly cooked in a slow cooker for a hands-off, comforting dinner served over rice or noodles, garnished with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Sauce
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish and Serving
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick spray or a small amount of oil to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Add Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker in an even layer.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), lime juice, grated ginger, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Pour Sauce Over Chicken: Pour the prepared peanut sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated with the flavorful mixture.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Cook until the chicken is tender, fully cooked through, and infused with the peanut sauce flavors.
- Shred Chicken: Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, mixing it thoroughly with the sauce. Alternatively, serve the chicken pieces whole if preferred.
- Serve: Serve the shredded or whole peanut chicken over cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro for added texture and freshness.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful result or chicken breasts for leaner meat.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder dish.
- This dish can be doubled for larger groups and freezes well for future meals.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
- Leftover peanut chicken can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
