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This peanut butter chicken is a childhood favorite and it is packed with flavor and comes together in just under 30 minutes! If you’ve never had peanut butter in chicken before, you’re going to love this!
When we were younger, my mom made a version of peanut butter chicken for us on the regular because it was easy to put together after a long day at work. I decided to take that childhood dish as inspiration for this spicy version of peanut butter chicken. Tender chicken tossed in a peanut butter sauce along with fresh red bell peppers and extra peanuts for texture and crunch.
This peanut chicken reminds me of the one time I had a scare with peanut butter. Thankfully, it was a false alarm as I was just recovering from the flu and my body went into overdrive with the histamines. It would’ve been devastating as I’m certainly a peanut butter lover. Peanut butter is classic to put in smoothies but if you haven’t tried it in savory dishes, you’re missing out. You never really think peanut butter can “go” in a savory dish but this spicy peanut chicken is about to prove everyone wrong!
Serve this with fried rice or white rice!
Recipe Tips and Variations
- I highly recommend using natural peanut butter in this recipe — the kind you have to stir. If you only have regular peanut butter, that is okay but I would recommend removing 2 tablespoons and warming it up in the microwave before mixing with the other ingredients. It will help make the sauce easier to stir.
- Using boneless skinless chicken thighs is a great alternative to chicken breasts for this recipe.
- If you don’t like spice, feel free to omit the sambal oelek and on the other hand, if you love spice, feel free to up the amount!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Allow to cool completely then put leftover peanut chicken in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, add a little bit of water or chicken broth to the dish to help loosen it up (since peanut butter tends to thicken in cooler temperatures) and warm through in the microwave or in the skillet on the stovetop.
Spicy Peanut Chicken
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- ½ cup (129 g) natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup (85 g) honey
- 2 teaspoons sambal oelek, more or less for your spice preference
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon water
For the rest of the dish:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 large red bell peppers, sliced
- 1 ¼ pounds (567 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped peanuts, for topping (optional)
- Chopped green onions, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together ingredients for the sauce.1/2 cup (129 g) natural peanut butter, 1/4 cup (85 g) honey, 2 teaspoons sambal oelek, 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon water
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat until hot then add the bell peppers. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the chicken and cook through, about 7-10 minutes.1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 2 large red bell peppers, 1 1/4 pounds (567 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Pour the sauce on top then toss to coat and let simmer. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper, then stir with a spatula until evenly distributed. Serve over white rice and top with chopped peanuts and green onions, if desired.Salt and pepper, Chopped peanuts, Chopped green onions
any suggestions to replace the pepper my kids dont like peppers or onions
you can replace with another vegetable they do like…perhaps broccoli or bok choy?
I loved this, and will make it again and again. I didn’t have sambal oelek, so I used Sriracha, and I added cilantro leaves.
Just made this recipe and it was delicious. The only thing I had trouble with was my sauce was really thick. What do you suggest adding to the sauce to thin it out without losing the great flavor?
Thanks
a little bit more water or chicken broth would help!
Absolutely delicious, I’ll be using this recipe for a long time
Super easy and delicious!!
Hi! Is there a substitute for sambal oelek?
Is it very essential or can it skipped altogether?
I really like all your recipes and want to try out the chicken ones.
Thanks a lot!
Hi, it is definitely essential because it is what makes this spicy peanut chicken spicy. You could try finding another type of spicy garlic sauce for the sambal.
Delicious and easy. We had tons of eggplant leftover after making your Eggplant Parmesan used cut up eggplant instead of chicken, and we only had Jiffy peanut butter and then did not add honey. I enjoy your recipes!
Glad to hear!
I had this “Saved” in my Pinterest Account. I made it last night and it was AMAZING and so easy! I “Keeper” for sure! Thank you for another great recipe. LL (Massachusetts)
What are your thoughts on eliminating the honey? I’m trying to do low to zero sugar. Thanks!
You won’t really get that nice caramelization and flavor or the thick sauce. I think if you really want to, you could reduce it to maybe two tablespoons.