The Zesty Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe Everyone Loves

My kitchen adventures recently uncovered an incredible chinese peanut butter chicken dish that blends savory and sweet perfectly.

Unexpected flavor combinations can surprise even seasoned home cooks.

Creamy peanut sauce meets tender chicken in a symphony of taste sensations.

Regional Chinese culinary traditions inspire this delightful recipe with bold, complex notes.

Nutty undertones complement the rich protein, creating a mouthwatering main course.

Minimal ingredients and quick preparation make you a culinary hero in just thirty minutes.

Prepare to impress everyone at your next dinner gathering with this stellar recipe.

Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken: Unique Flavor You’ll Crave

• Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal: Whip up this delicious Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a tasty dinner solution.
• Customize Your Spice Level: Adjust heat with optional chili flakes, making this recipe adaptable for everyone from mild-loving kids to spice-seeking adults.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize cleanup with this single-skillet recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal without multiple cooking vessels.
• Budget-Friendly Flavor Explosion: Create a gourmet-tasting dish using affordable pantry staples like peanut butter, soy sauce, and chicken, delivering maximum taste with minimal expense.

What Goes In Peanut Butter Chicken

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that provides the main body of the dish, best when fresh and trimmed of excess fat.

• Peanut Butter, Soy Sauce, Hoisin Sauce, Honey: Creates a rich, sweet, and savory sauce with deep umami flavor, smooth or crunchy peanut butter works well.

• Garlic, Ginger, Sesame Oil, Chili Flakes: Adds depth, warmth, and subtle heat to the dish, fresh ingredients provide the most vibrant flavor.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for cooking and preventing sticking, neutral flavor works best.
• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Provides fresh, crunchy garnish with additional texture and visual appeal.

• Chicken Broth: Helps create the sauce consistency and adds extra flavor to the dish.

How to Cook Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Grab a skillet or wok and warm up some vegetable oil over medium heat.

Toss in the diced chicken and cook until it turns a beautiful golden brown and is completely cooked through.

Scoop out the chicken and set it aside for later.

Step 2: Awaken the Aromatics

In the same skillet, drizzle in sesame oil and add minced garlic and grated ginger.

Let these fragrant ingredients dance and release their irresistible aroma.

Step 3: Create the Magical Sauce

• Creamy peanut butter
• Rich soy sauce
• Sweet hoisin sauce
• Golden honey
• Smooth chicken broth

Whisk everything together until the sauce becomes silky smooth and perfectly blended.

Step 4: Spice It Up (Optional)

Sprinkle in some chili flakes if you’re craving a fiery kick to your dish.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and lovingly coat it with the luscious peanut butter sauce.

Let everything simmer and mingle for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to become best friends.

Step 6: Finish with Flair

Shower the dish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Serve piping hot alongside steamed rice or noodles for a meal that’ll make taste buds dance with joy.

Chinese Chicken With Peanut Butter Sauce – Cooking Clues That Count

• Adjust chili flakes to match your heat tolerance, from mild to fiery hot.
• Whisk peanut butter and broth thoroughly to prevent lumps and create a silky smooth sauce.
• Replace chicken with tofu, shrimp, or beef for versatile meal variations.
• Add colorful vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli to increase nutritional value and texture.
• Toast sesame seeds before garnishing to release their nutty aroma and elevate the dish's overall taste.

Store Peanut Butter Chicken With Bold Flavor

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Warm the chicken over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir gently and heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and preserve sauce consistency.
• Pack cooled chicken in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best taste and texture.

What Works with Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: Select a slightly sweet German Riesling that balances the rich, nutty peanut butter sauce and cuts through the chicken's savory profile.
• Complement with Jasmine Rice: Create a perfect base that absorbs the delicious peanut butter sauce, providing a soft, fragrant backdrop to the spicy and creamy chicken.
• Enhance with Pickled Cucumber Salad: Add a tangy, refreshing side dish that brings bright acidity to counterpoint the dense, smooth sauce and cleanse the palate between bites.
• Match with Craft Asian Lager: Choose a light, crisp beer like Tsingtao or Sapporo that refreshes the mouth and stands up to the robust peanut butter flavors without overwhelming the dish.

Peanut Butter Chicken with Asian-Inspired Sauce Variants

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Use gluten-free hoisin sauce and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free Option: This recipe is naturally dairy-free. No modifications needed for dairy restrictions.
• Vegetarian Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh. Press tofu to remove excess moisture and cube before cooking to achieve similar texture and protein content.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute rice or noodles with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. Reduce honey or use a sugar-free sweetener to lower carbohydrate content.

FAQs

• Is this recipe authentic Chinese cuisine?

While inspired by Asian flavors, this is a fusion dish that combines Chinese cooking techniques with peanut butter sauce, creating a delicious cross-cultural recipe.

• Can I use different types of protein?

Absolutely! You can substitute chicken with tofu, shrimp, or beef to create variety while maintaining the same delicious peanut butter sauce base.

• How spicy is this dish without chili flakes?

The base recipe is mild and family-friendly. Adding chili flakes is optional, so you can control the heat level according to your preference.

• What makes the sauce creamy and rich?

The combination of peanut butter, chicken broth, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce creates a smooth, complex sauce that coats the chicken with a rich, savory flavor profile.

Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor the delightful fusion of Chinese peanut butter chicken, where tangy and creamy notes dance together in perfect harmony. Succulent chicken pieces coated in a rich, nutty sauce promise a memorable meal that will transport diners straight to culinary bliss.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb (454 grams) boneless chicken breast, diced

Main Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60 ml) peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) chili flakes (optional)

Garnish:

• 2 green onions, sliced
• Sesame seeds (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm a skillet or wok, drizzle vegetable oil, and sear diced chicken until golden and thoroughly cooked through, then transfer to a separate plate.
2. In the identical pan, pour sesame oil and gently toast minced garlic and grated ginger, releasing their aromatic essence.
3. Whisk together creamy peanut butter, umami-rich soy sauce, sweet-tangy hoisin sauce, golden honey, and savory chicken broth until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform sauce.
4. For adventurous palates, sprinkle crushed chili flakes to introduce a fiery dimension to the sauce.
5. Reintroduce the seared chicken into the skillet, gently folding it through the luscious peanut butter sauce, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify during a brief 2-3 minute simmer.
6. Before presenting, elegantly garnish the dish with finely sliced green onions and a delicate scattering of toasted sesame seeds.
7. Accompany the chicken with steaming jasmine rice or tender wheat noodles for a complete, satisfying meal.

Notes

• Ensure chicken is fully cooked by reaching an internal temperature of 165°F to prevent foodborne illness.
• Use high-quality, natural peanut butter without added sugars for a more authentic and healthier sauce.
• Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, creamy texture.
• Reduce honey or use a sugar-free alternative for a low-carb adaptation suitable for diabetic diets.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 576
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 28 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 42 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg