Description
Succulent peanut chicken simmers with aromatic spices, creating a Malaysian-inspired comfort dish that whisks home cooks straight to Southeast Asian culinary paradise. Creamy, tender meat melts in your mouth, inviting warm conversations and delightful shared moments around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs (907 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce Base:
- 1 cup (240 ml) creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup (240 ml) coconut milk
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) honey
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Chopped green onions
- Crushed peanuts
Instructions
- Generously season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, positioning them evenly across the slow cooker base.
- Create a velvety sauce by thoroughly whisking peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes until completely smooth and well-integrated.
- Drench the chicken completely with the prepared peanut sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated and saturated.
- Set slow cooker to low temperature and allow chicken to simmer for 6-8 hours, or alternatively use high temperature for 3-4 hours, cooking until meat becomes exceptionally tender and reaches safe internal temperature.
- Utilize two forks to meticulously shred the chicken, incorporating it back into the rich, fragrant sauce for maximum flavor absorption.
- Transfer the succulent peanut chicken over steamed rice or tender noodles, garnishing with freshly chopped green onions and crunchy crushed peanuts for textural contrast and visual appeal.
Notes
- Boost chicken tenderness by choosing bone-in thighs, which remain juicier during slow cooking compared to boneless cuts.
- Reduce sodium content by using low-sodium soy sauce and controlling salt levels during seasoning for heart-healthy preparation.
- Enhance protein variety by substituting chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian-friendly version that maintains the rich peanut sauce flavor.
- Elevate texture and nutrition by adding diced bell peppers or spinach during the last hour of cooking, introducing extra vegetables without compromising the dish’s creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (on high) or 8 hours (on low)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 685
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg