This peanut butter chicken is so delicious, low carb, high protein and gluten free/keto friendly too. I'm talking about boneless chicken thighs chopped into small bite sized pieces, seared and braised in a creamy dairy free peanut butter sauce.
Another chicken dinner for all of my chicken lovers, I just so happen to have a freezer stocked up with some unused boneless/skinless chicken thighs.
As I mentioned in my slow cooker brown stew chicken recipe that I'm somewhat hooked on chicken thighs.
There are certainly a lot juicer than chicken breasts, though you just need to trim/chop off any excess fat that's present.
Let me tell you about this recipe to hand. Peanut butter chicken? yup, that's the one! I know some of you are turning your nose up to this chicken dinner.
I used to feel the same about pairing nut butter with white meat until I made some Almond Butter Chicken Satay.
Who knew that chicken and almond butter would be a delicious combination
That recipe taught me never to judge a book by its cover.
Recipe inspiration
This recipe was inspired by my visit to a Thai restaurant a few years ago. Although my recipe isn't an exact replica, it has some similarities.
In my humble opinion, searing the chicken before making the peanut butter sauce is key.
Searing also known as browning, helps to lock in that flavour, I know there are some recipes that don't require searing and that's okay because I am simply showcasing my technique which I think you will enjoy the most..
Try this recipe without searing and with searing the chicken thighs and you will notice the difference.
You want the all purpose seasoning to adhere to the chicken via browning so then the peanut butter can coat the chicken as it simmers away.
Makes sense doesn't it? I mean c'mon, who wants bland/fresh chicken? Not me! This is a step that I really really want you to abide by.
This recipe is perfect if you are looking for something that is suitable for weightloss/fat burning due to its high fat and low carb content. Especially if you are someone who subscribes to the keto lifestyle.
Even if you don't, that's okay because you will love it regardless.
The steps
- Place the chicken in a large bowl use a fork to prick holes in it (recommended to help the seasoning to penetrate).
- Add the all purpose seasoning, curry powder, black pepper and pink salt to the chicken and use your hands (you can wear gloves if you want to) to coat the chicken with the dry rub.
- In a large skillet, on medium heat, add the olive oil.
- Saute the onion, garlic and ginger until soft and translucent.
- Add the chicken then proceed to sear the meat, this will take about 10-15 to achieve, during this time the chicken may extract it's own juices, if so, you will need to increase the heat to high (be careful not to burn the meat) to rid the excess liquid.
- Once the chicken has been browned, remove it from the skillet and set aside.
- Replenish the skillet with 2 tablespoon of olive oil on medium heat.
- Pour in the tomato, coconut aminos, coconut milk and then stir in the parsley, chilli powder and the peanut butter until it starts to melt and the sauce begins to take on a brown/beige colour.
- Bring the sauce to a rolling boil then reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Add the seared chicken to the sauce and stir.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid sticking at the bottom of the pan. Keep an eye on the sauce, if it's too thick, add some water to thin it out, not too much about ¼ cup at a time.
- Do a taste test and adjust the seasoning accordingly, adding more pink salt and black pepper if needed.
Notes and tips
- This is the recipe you will need for the All Purpose Seasoning.
- Be sure to sear the meat thoroughly and don't be alarmed by the excess liquid that the chicken thighs produce, just cook off the excess and continue to brown the meat (the liquid will help to brown/lock in that flavour - I promise).
- Feel free to use chicken breasts for a leaner option.
- This chicken is freezer friendly so feel free to freeze any leftovers.
- I used smooth peanut butter but you can use crunchy peanut butter if you want to.
- Make sure to trim off any excess fat from the chicken thighs.
Other chicken dinners you may like
Serving suggestions
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Peanut Butter Chicken
Ingredients
The dry chicken rub
- 2-2½ lb chicken thighs (1.3kg) boneless/skinless, chopped into small pieces
- 3 tablespoon all purpose seasoning (45g)
- 1 teaspoon curry powder (5g)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (5g)
- 1 teaspoon pink salt (5g)
To make the peanut butter sauce
- 3 tablespoon olive oil (45g) or coconut oil
- 1 medium sized onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger (5g) minced
- 1 cup chopped tomato (150g)
- 1 can full fat coconut milk (14oz/400ml)
- 1 tablespoon organic soy(a) or coconut amino (15g)
- 2 tablespoon parsley (30g)
- ½ cup peanut butter (129g) smooth
- ½ teaspoon chilli powder (2.5g)
- additional chilli, pink salt and black pepper if needed
- cilantro/coriander for garnish
Instructions
For the chicken rub
- Place the chicken in a large bowl use a fork to prick holes in it (recommended to help the seasoning to pentrate).
- Add the all purpose seasoning, curry powder, black pepper and pink salt to the chicken and use your hands (can wear gloves if you want to) to coat the chicken with the dry rub.
To brown the chicken and make the peanut butter sauce
- In a large skillet, on medium heat, add the olive oil.
- Saute the onion, garlic and ginger until soft and translucent.
- Add the chicken then proceed to sear the meat, this will take about 10-15 to achieve, during this time the chicken may extract it's own juices, if so, you will need to increase the heat to high (be careful not to burn the meat) to rid the excess liquid.
- Once the chicken has been browned, remove it from the skillet and set aside.
- Replenish the skillet with 2 tablespoon of olive oil on medium heat.
- Pour in the tomato, coconut aminos, coconut milk and then stir in the parsley, chilli powder and the peanut butter until it starts to melt and the sauce begins to take on a brown/beige colour.
- Bring the sauce to a rolling boil then reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Add the seared chicken to the sauce and stir.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid sticking at the bottom of the pan. Keep an eye on the sauce, if it's too thick, add some water to thin it out, not too much about ¼ cup at a time.
- Do a taste test and adjust the seasoning accordingly, adding more pink salt and black pepper if needed.
- Garnish and serve with fresh cilantro/coriander
Notes
- This is the recipe you will need for the All Purpose Seasoning.
- Be sure to sear the meat thoroughly and don't be alarmed by the excess liquid that the chicken thighs produce, just cook off the excess and continue to brown the meat (the liquid will help to brown/lock in that flavour - I promise).
- Feel free to use chicken breasts for a leaner option.
- This chicken is freezer friendly so feel free to freeze any leftovers.
- I used smooth peanut butter but you can use crunchy peanut butter if you want to.
- Make sure to trim off any excess fat from the chicken thighs.
Helen
I think my family would love this! Thanks for a great recipe.
Charla
You are welcome Helen
Maria
This is something new! I have not tried one of these before, but I'm so interested with because of your recipe. Thank you for sharing this.
Charla
I hope you give it a go Maria
Anjali
The peanut butter sauce for this chicken dish was so unbelievably delicious! It was rich, creamy, and gave the entire dish great flavor!
Charla
I'm so glad to hear that.
Dannii
This is one of my favourite comfort food dishes. So much flavour, and so easy to make.
Charla
Agreed! I love it too!
Seema Sriram
Oh wow, that peanut sauce sounds perfect. I will love to have just that with some rice. The consistency is amazing.
Charla
Thank you so much