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Creamy Thai Peanut Chicken

Thai Peanut Chicken

A rich and creamy weeknight meal featuring tender chicken and crisp vegetables coated in a savory Thai-inspired peanut sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Thai
Calories: 720

Ingredients
  

  • 600 g boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 2-3 cm pieces
  • 1 tbsp vegetable or coconut oil
  • 1 red bell pepper deseeded and sliced
  • 150 g broccoli florets cut into small pieces
For the Peanut Sauce
  • 150 g smooth natural peanut butter
  • 250 ml full-fat coconut milk from a tin
  • 60 ml reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • Juice of 1 lime about 2 tbsp
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
  • ½ tsp red chilli flakes or more, to taste
For Garnish (optional)
  • A handful of fresh coriander chopped
  • 2 tbsp roasted peanuts roughly chopped
  • 2 spring onions finely sliced

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Peanut Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: peanut butter, coconut milk, tamari, honey, rice vinegar, lime juice, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red chilli flakes. Keep whisking until the mixture is completely smooth. It might look a little thin at this stage, but it will thicken up beautifully when heated.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok over a medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer (work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan). Cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is lightly golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
  3. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the sliced red pepper and broccoli florets to the same pan. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still have a bit of a bite. If the pan seems dry, you can add a tablespoon of water to help steam the broccoli. For more tips on stir-frying, BBC Good Food has a great guide.
  4. Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the prepared peanut sauce over everything. Stir well to ensure the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated.
  5. Thicken the Sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over a medium-low heat. Let it bubble away gently for 3-5 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. I find that it's important not to let it boil rapidly, as this can cause the sauce to separate.
  6. Serve and Garnish: Once the sauce is glossy and has thickened, remove the pan from the heat. Serve your Thai Peanut Chicken immediately over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with a generous sprinkle of chopped fresh coriander, roasted peanuts, and sliced spring onions for extra texture and freshness.

Notes

Serve immediately over steamed jasmine rice or rice noodles. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.