Peanut Butter Chicken

If you’re craving takeout but would rather make dinner at home, this Peanut Butter Chicken is an easy and delicious option. Tender pieces of chicken thighs are coated in seasoned cornstarch, pan-fried until golden, and then tossed in a creamy peanut butter sauce that’s sweet, savory, tangy, and slightly spicy.

The sauce comes together with creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, hoisin, brown sugar, garlic, sriracha, and sesame oil, creating plenty of bold flavor in every bite. Serve it over cooked rice or noodles with your favorite stir-fry vegetables for a comforting homemade dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tastes like takeout: The creamy, savory peanut sauce makes this homemade chicken incredibly satisfying.
• Tender chicken: Cornstarch helps create a tender texture while giving the sauce something delicious to cling to.
• Big flavor: Peanut butter, hoisin, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and sriracha create a balanced sweet-and-savory sauce.
• Easy to customize: Adjust the spice level or add fresh lime juice and cilantro.
• Perfect with rice or noodles: The rich sauce pairs beautifully with your favorite starch.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Cut into 2-inch pieces for easy cooking.
• 2 teaspoons onion powder: Adds savory flavor to the chicken.
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt: Seasons the chicken.
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika: Adds warmth and a subtle smoky flavor.
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger: Brings aromatic warmth.
• ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper: Adds a mild peppery bite.
• ⅓ cup cornstarch: Helps create a tender coating and allows the sauce to cling to the chicken.
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil: Used to pan-fry the chicken.

For the Peanut Butter Sauce

• 1¼ cups chicken broth: Forms the liquid base of the sauce.
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter: Gives the sauce its rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture.
• 4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce: Adds salty, savory depth.
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar: Provides sweetness to balance the savory ingredients.
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce: Adds additional sweet and savory flavor.
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic: Brings aromatic depth.
• 3 teaspoons sriracha sauce: Adds a spicy kick.
• 1 teaspoon pure sesame oil: Adds a distinctive toasted sesame flavor.
• 2½–3 tablespoons chopped unsalted dry-roasted peanuts: Optional, for crunchy garnish.
• 1 tablespoon sliced green onions: Optional, for a fresh finishing touch.

How to Make Peanut Butter Chicken

1. Prepare the Chicken

Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels.

Place the chicken in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with the onion powder, kosher salt, smoked paprika, ground ginger, and black pepper.

Toss thoroughly until all the chicken pieces are evenly seasoned.

Sprinkle the cornstarch over the seasoned chicken and toss again until every piece is lightly coated.

The cornstarch is an important step because it helps give the chicken a tender coating and allows the peanut sauce to cling beautifully to each piece.

2. Cook the Chicken

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a 10–12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.

Once the oil is hot, add half of the coated chicken to the skillet. Avoid overcrowding the pan so the chicken can brown properly.

Cook for about 4 minutes on each side, until cooked through and golden.

Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate lined with fresh paper towels to drain.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the skillet and repeat with the remaining chicken.

3. Make the Peanut Butter Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium-low.

Pour the chicken broth into the same skillet and whisk, loosening the crispy browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Add the creamy peanut butter, low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, sriracha, and sesame oil.

Whisk until the sauce is smooth and well combined.

Once everything is incorporated, remove the skillet from the heat.

4. Coat the Chicken

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.

Use tongs to toss the chicken through the peanut butter sauce, making sure every piece is generously coated.

5. Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle the chicken with chopped roasted peanuts and sliced green onions if using.

Serve immediately over cooked rice or noodles.

For a complete meal, add your favorite stir-fried vegetables on the side.

Tips for Success

• Dry the chicken first: Patting the chicken dry helps the seasoning and cornstarch adhere properly.
• Coat thoroughly: Make sure every piece of chicken gets a light coating of cornstarch for the best texture.
• Don’t overcrowd the skillet: Cooking the chicken in two batches helps it brown more evenly.
• Use medium-low heat for the sauce: This gives the peanut butter time to blend smoothly with the other ingredients.
• Loosen the browned bits: Whisking the broth into the same skillet incorporates those flavorful bits into the sauce.
• Adjust the heat: Reduce or increase the sriracha according to your preference.
• Add fresh flavor: For an optional variation, stir 2 teaspoons of lime juice and some chopped cilantro into the finished peanut sauce.

Equipment Needed

• 10–12-inch skillet
• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Tongs
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Paper towels

Recipe Variations

Spicy Peanut Butter Chicken

Increase the amount of sriracha for a stronger spicy kick. You can also add additional chili seasoning if desired.

Lime Peanut Chicken

Add 2 teaspoons of lime juice to the finished peanut sauce for a bright, tangy contrast to the creamy peanut butter.

Peanut Butter Chicken with Cilantro

Stir chopped fresh cilantro into the sauce or sprinkle it over the finished chicken along with the green onions.

Low-Carb Peanut Butter Chicken

The original recipe suggests using almond flour in place of cornstarch for a lower-carb alternative. Serve the finished chicken with vegetables instead of rice or noodles.

Serving Suggestions

The easiest way to serve Peanut Butter Chicken is over a bowl of warm cooked rice. The rice absorbs the creamy peanut sauce and makes every bite extra satisfying.

You can also serve it over noodles for a takeout-style meal.

Add stir-fried vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, or your favorite vegetable combination for a more complete dinner.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Freezer

Allow the cooked chicken to cool completely before placing it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat the chicken in the microwave or in a skillet until heated through.

If the sauce has thickened after refrigeration, gently warm it in the skillet and stir well before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of chicken is best for peanut butter chicken?

This recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 2-inch pieces. Chicken thighs work particularly well because they stay tender while cooking.

Why do you coat the chicken in cornstarch?

Cornstarch helps give the chicken a tender coating and helps the creamy peanut sauce adhere to the chicken.

Can I use chicken breast instead?

Yes. Chicken breast can be used, although it is important not to overcook it because it can become dry more quickly than chicken thighs.

Can I make the peanut sauce spicier?

Absolutely. Increase the amount of sriracha according to your preferred level of heat.

What can I serve with Peanut Butter Chicken?

Serve it over cooked rice or noodles. Stir-fried vegetables also make an excellent pairing.

Can I add lime and cilantro?

Yes. The recipe suggests adding 2 teaspoons of lime juice and chopped cilantro to the peanut sauce. Both add a fresh contrast to the rich sauce.

Nutrition Information

Per serving:

• Calories: 817 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 41g
• Protein: 62g
• Fat: 47g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 22g
• Trans Fat: 0.04g
• Cholesterol: 217mg
• Sodium: 2148mg
• Potassium: 1098mg
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 19g
• Vitamin A: 324 IU
• Vitamin C: 3mg
• Calcium: 86mg
• Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is a general estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands used.

Final Thoughts

This Peanut Butter Chicken is an easy way to bring takeout-style flavor to your own kitchen. Golden, tender chicken is coated in a creamy peanut butter sauce with savory soy sauce, sweet brown sugar, hoisin, garlic, sriracha, and sesame oil.

Serve it over rice or noodles with some stir-fried vegetables, and you have a comforting homemade dinner that’s packed with bold flavor. It’s the kind of recipe that’s simple enough for a weeknight but satisfying enough to become a regular favorite.

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