Quick & Creamy Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken Recipe for Your Family

Tucking into a mouthwatering slow cooker peanut chicken feels like a warm culinary embrace on chilly evenings.

Savory aromas will soon fill your kitchen with irresistible comfort.

This recipe promises tender meat that practically melts in your mouth.

Simple ingredients blend together effortlessly, creating a delightful meal that requires minimal effort.

Weeknight dinners just became significantly more delicious and stress-free.

Hearty protein mixed with rich, nutty sauce guarantees smiles around the table.

Grab your slow cooker and let’s make magic happen!

Reasons to Love Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

• Slow cooker simplifies cooking with minimal hands-on time, perfect for busy professionals and parents who want delicious meals without complicated kitchen work.
• Foolproof method ensures tender, flavorful chicken every time, eliminating guesswork and potential overcooking risks common with traditional stovetop or oven methods.
• Flexible dish adapts to multiple serving styles- over rice, noodles, in wraps, or as a salad topping, making it ideal for diverse meal preferences and dietary needs.
• Rich, complex sauce combining sweet, spicy, and umami notes creates a restaurant-quality meal that tastes like it took hours to prepare, yet requires minimal ingredient preparation.

What You’ll Need for Peanut Chicken

• Chicken Thighs, Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that absorbs the flavorful sauce, lean and protein-packed. Choose bone-in or boneless based on preference.

• Peanut Butter: Provides creamy, rich base with nutty depth. Use natural, unsweetened for best results.
• Soy Sauce: Adds savory umami and saltiness. Low-sodium option recommended.
• Coconut Milk: Creates smooth, silky texture and adds subtle sweetness. Full-fat version preferred.

• Rice Vinegar, Honey, Garlic, Ginger, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Balanced mix of tangy, sweet, and spicy notes. Fresh ginger and garlic provide maximum flavor punch.

• Green Onions, Cilantro, Chopped Peanuts: Fresh, crunchy toppings that add texture and brightness. Optional but recommended for complete dish.

Making Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

Step 1: Whip Up Magical Peanut Sauce

• Creamy peanut butter
• Tangy soy sauce
• Rich coconut milk
• Zesty rice vinegar
• Golden honey
• Minced garlic
• Freshly grated ginger
• Spicy crushed red pepper flakes

Whisk everything until silky smooth and dreamy.

Step 2: Nestle Chicken in Sauce

Place chicken pieces into your slow cooker and lovingly pour the peanutty sauce all over, making sure every inch gets coated with deliciousness.

Step 3: Let the Magic Happen

• Low setting: 6-7 hours
• High setting: 3-4 hours

Wait until chicken becomes mouthwateringly tender and completely cooked through.

Step 4: Shred and Mix

Grab two forks and gently pull chicken apart right in the slow cooker. Stir everything so the sauce hugs each shredded piece perfectly.

Step 5: Create Your Feast

• Fluffy rice
• Slurpy noodles

• Chopped peanuts
• Sliced green onions
• Fresh cilantro leaves

Kitchen Tips for Peanut Chicken Success

• Optimize Sauce Consistency: Whisk peanut sauce ingredients thoroughly to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, well-blended coating for the chicken.
• Prevent Dry Chicken: Choose chicken thighs for extra moisture and tenderness, or trim breasts carefully to maintain juiciness during slow cooking.
• Customize Heat Levels: Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to match your spice preference, starting with a small amount and increasing gradually.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast peanuts before garnishing to bring out their nutty richness and add a delightful crunch to the final dish.
• Dietary Adaptation: Swap soy sauce for tamari to make the recipe gluten-free, and use coconut aminos as an alternative low-sodium option.

Store and Reheat Peanut Chicken Smoothly

• Store leftover peanut chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or bags, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until warmed through.
• Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a little liquid if needed to maintain moisture and prevent sticking.

What Goes with Peanut Chicken

• Serve this rich peanut chicken alongside crisp cucumber salad with a tangy rice vinegar dressing to balance the dish's creamy texture and cut through the heavy sauce.
• Prepare fragrant jasmine or coconut rice to soak up the delicious peanut sauce, enhancing the meal's overall flavor profile and providing a subtle complementary taste.
• Select a cold Thai iced tea or a light wheat beer to cool down the slight spiciness from red pepper flakes and refresh the palate between bites of the savory chicken.
• Add a side of quick-pickled vegetables or a bright sriracha-lime dipping sauce to introduce a sharp, tangy element that contrasts with the smooth peanut sauce.

New Spins on Peanut Chicken

• Spicy Thai Fusion: Replace peanut butter with almond butter and add red curry paste for a zesty Thai-inspired flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Keto Version: Swap rice or noodles with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles, and use sugar-free honey alternative to maintain ketogenic requirements.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut milk (already in recipe), ensure soy sauce is gluten-free, and verify all ingredients are dairy-free certified.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas, adjusting cooking time to prevent overcooking and maintain tender texture.

Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor mouthwatering Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken, a delightful fusion of tender chicken bathed in rich, creamy peanut sauce. Hearty spices and simple ingredients combine to create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)

Sauce Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup creamy peanut butter
• 0.25 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 0.25 cup coconut milk (or chicken broth)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tablespoon honey

Flavor Enhancers and Garnish:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• 0.25 cup chopped peanuts (for garnish)
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Craft a luxurious fusion sauce by whisking together creamy peanut butter, umami-rich soy sauce, velvety coconut milk, tangy rice vinegar, golden honey, aromatic garlic, zesty ginger, and fiery red pepper flakes until achieving a silky-smooth consistency.
2. Nestle chicken pieces into the slow cooker basin, meticulously drizzling the prepared peanut elixir across the protein, ensuring comprehensive and even coating.
3. Secure the lid and allow the culinary magic to unfold, slow-cooking on low temperature for approximately 6-7 hours or expedited on high setting for 3-4 hours until chicken reaches tender, succulent perfection.
4. Employ two forks to gently deconstruct the cooked chicken directly within the cooking vessel, thoroughly integrating the rich, complex sauce throughout the meat fibers.
5. Transfer the luscious peanut chicken atop a bed of fluffy rice or delicate noodles, elevating the presentation with a delightful garnish of crunchy chopped peanuts, vibrant green onion slivers, and fresh, verdant cilantro leaves.

Notes

• Select boneless, skinless chicken thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness, ensuring juicy results that melt in your mouth.
• Swap traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free diets, maintaining the rich umami profile of the dish.
• Adjust spice levels by reducing or eliminating red pepper flakes for sensitive palates, or adding extra for heat lovers who crave a kick.
• Consider preparing extra sauce and storing separately, as the slow cooker method can sometimes dilute intense flavors during extended cooking times.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours (on low) or 3 hours (on high)
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg