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Weeknight • Chicken

Speedy Saucy Peanut Chicken

Tender chicken pieces coated in a rich, flavorful peanut sauce, perfect over rice or noodles for a super-fast dinner.

Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Speedy Saucy Peanut Chicken

Craving takeout but want something homemade and even better? This Speedy Saucy Peanut Chicken is your new go-to! It's impossibly quick, packed with savory, nutty, and slightly spicy flavors, and results in wonderfully tender chicken. Serve it over rice or noodles for an instant weeknight win!

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

For the Chicken

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Peanut Sauce

  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 cup water (or chicken broth), plus more if needed

For Serving (Optional)

  • Cooked rice or noodles
  • Chopped green onions
  • Toasted sesame seeds

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    While chicken cooks, prepare the peanut sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, sriracha (if using), and 1/4 cup water (or broth) until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add another tablespoon or two of water until it reaches your desired consistency.

  3. Step 3

    Reduce heat to low. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Pour the peanut sauce over the chicken and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened. Do not boil the sauce on high heat as it can seize.

  4. Step 4

    Serve immediately over cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired.

Tips

  • Add some steamed broccoli florets or bell pepper strips to the skillet with the chicken for a more complete meal.
  • The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

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