This recipe for Thai peanut chicken is a quick and easy stir fry with seared chicken and colorful vegetables, all covered in a homemade peanut sauce. Serve it with a side of rice for a complete meal that’s ready in less than 30 minutes!
When I get a hankering for Thai food, I whip up my favorite homemade versions including Thai cucumber salad, peanut noodles and this fabulous peanut chicken.
I absolutely love Thai food but I’ve found that sometimes it can be hard to replicate the same flavors at home. Many Thai dishes call for ingredients like kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, galangal and lemon grass which can be difficult to find at the grocery store. This Thai peanut chicken tastes like something you’d get at a restaurant but it doesn’t require any specialty ingredients!
How do you make Thai peanut chicken?
The base for this Thai peanut chicken is super simple – it’s just seared chicken breast strips and vegetables. I used baby bok choy and carrots but you can absolutely change that up, other great options would be broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini or even eggplant.
While your chicken and veggies are cooking, you can whip up the peanut sauce in the food processor in just a few minutes. I kept this peanut sauce on the mild side because I was feeding kids, but definitely up the amount of red pepper flakes if you prefer more heat. After the chicken and veggies are cooked, pour the peanut sauce over the top, add some chopped peanuts and dinner is served!
Tips for Thai peanut chicken
- I put up a pot of rice at the same time as I start cooking the chicken to complete the meal.
- You can use chicken breast pieces, chicken thighs or even other proteins such as shrimp or beef in this dish.
- The peanut sauce can be made up to 3 days before you plan to serve it.
- Looking to cut carbs? Serve your peanut chicken over cauliflower rice.
This Thai peanut chicken is a great way to make your own Thai take out without having to make a trip to a specialty store. And it’s also ready in 30 minutes, doesn’t get much better than that!
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More great Asian food recipes
Thai Peanut Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pound chicken breast , cut into 2 inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup thinly sliced carrots
- 4 baby bok choy , cut into quarters
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup chopped salted peanuts
- For serving: steamed rice (optional)
Instructions
- Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a pan over medium high heat. Add the carrots and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of water and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-6 minutes until the water has cooked off and carrots have started to soften.
- Add the bok choy to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes more, until both bok choy and carrots are cooked through. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper to taste, then transfer to a plate and cover.
- Wipe out the pan with a paper towel.
- Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil over high heat. Season the chicken generously and add to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 7-8 minutes or until chicken is browned and cooked through.
- While the chicken is cooking, make the peanut sauce. Place the ginger, garlic, peanut butter, lime juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, red pepper flakes and 2 tablespoons of water in a food processor; blend until smooth. Add more water to further thin the sauce if desired.
- Return the vegetables to the pan with the chicken and cook until heated through, 1-2 minutes. Drizzle the peanut sauce over the top of the chicken and vegetables. Top with chopped peanuts and serve.
Barb Mcdowell says
Thankyou for such yummy easy recipes i work some afternoons and I make meals in advance and freeze for my family and I have fibromyyalgia so sometimes Im not feeling well enough to cook so these are just delicious and so easy thanks again from Barb from Victoria Australia xx
Melissa says
I’m going to try making this but am wondering if fresh ginger and fresh garlic can be subbed with the jarred minced ginger and garlic? Thank you in advance!
Sara says
Yes that will work!
Greg says
The pictures are amazing! I want that dish!
Chris Scheuer says
This looks so fresh and flavorful. I do believe you and I were in the same line when taste buds were passed out. And I love that you don’t need any fancy, hard-to-find ingredients.
Debbie says
Beautiful Thai dish and love the sauce!
Mimi says
This looks delicious! I also love the carrots and bok Choy!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Oh this is a personal favorite of mine! Love the peanuts and bok choy and ginger – you cook all the things I want to eat! Your photos are outstanding. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says
I’m a big fan of Thai food too, Sara, and I particularly crave the lime/ginger combo in the Spring months. I love that this dish is so quick, easy and full of nutrients. I may be poaching it for a future Healthy Meal Plan! lol
Thanks for a great recipe. Sharing 🙂
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
I have the same trouble with replicating my favorite Thai flavors, this is a great recipe to have around when you crave Thai but can’t get to a specialty store!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
We love Thai flavours here and this looks like perfection! Love dishes like this that are loaded with vegetables, but delicious and satisfying, too! Pinned 🙂