Easy Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken Recipe for Cozy Dinners

The magic of a hearty slow cooker peanut chicken wafting through your kitchen on a lazy afternoon.

Warm, comforting aromas promise a meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Rich peanut flavors mingle with tender chicken, creating a dish that speaks to both comfort and adventure.

This recipe brings international flair to your dinner table without complicated techniques.

Minimal prep means maximum flavor, letting you relax while dinner essentially cooks itself.

Simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary with just a few easy steps.

I promise you’ll want to savor every single bite of this delightful meal.

Handy Tips For Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

• Swap Protein Smartly: Replace chicken thighs with tofu, turkey, or lean chicken breasts for different dietary needs without compromising flavor.
• Control Spice Levels: Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to match your heat tolerance, making the dish mild or fiery according to preference.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare this dish ahead and store in refrigerator for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to develop and creating convenient meal options.
• Low-Sodium Hack: Use reduced-sodium soy sauce to cut down salt content while maintaining the rich, savory taste of the peanut sauce.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Select gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to make this recipe completely safe for those with gluten sensitivities.

Keep And Reheat Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken The Easy Way

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled chicken to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Pack leftovers in freezer-safe containers or bags, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat in Microwave: Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of water or extra coconut milk, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through.
• Reheat on Stovetop: Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a little liquid to prevent drying out.

Tasty Sides For Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

• Pair with Zesty Asian Slaw: Create a crisp, tangy side salad with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a light rice vinegar dressing to cut through the rich, creamy peanut chicken.
• Match with Jasmine Rice Perfection: Serve the tender, saucy chicken over fragrant jasmine rice that absorbs the delicious peanut sauce, creating a harmonious flavor combination.
• Complement with Crisp Riesling: Select a slightly sweet Riesling wine that balances the spicy and nutty flavors of the dish, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Boost with Crunchy Cucumber Salad: Prepare a refreshing cucumber salad with sesame oil and rice vinegar to provide a cool, light contrast to the hearty chicken.

Fun Ways To Change Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

• Spicy Thai Fusion: Boost heat by adding sriracha sauce and extra red pepper flakes, creating a fiery version that packs serious flavor punch.
• Coconut Curry Remix: Replace peanut butter with red curry paste and add extra coconut milk for a creamy, aromatic southeast Asian-inspired chicken dish.
• Honey Lime Zinger: Swap rice vinegar with fresh lime juice, increase honey amount, and add orange zest for a bright, tangy alternative that tingles taste buds.
• Almond Ginger Swap: Substitute peanut butter with almond butter, add extra ginger, and sprinkle toasted sliced almonds on top for a nutty, warming variation.

Answers You’ll Want For Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

• What makes the peanut sauce special in this recipe?

The peanut sauce combines rich peanut butter with tangy rice vinegar, sweet honey, and spicy red pepper flakes, creating a complex and balanced flavor profile that perfectly coats the chicken.

• Can I use different types of chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! While the recipe works best with chicken thighs for their tenderness, you can easily substitute chicken breasts. Just be careful not to overcook to keep the meat juicy.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild heat from the crushed red pepper flakes, but you can easily adjust the spice level by adding more or less pepper flakes to suit your taste preferences. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with a small amount.

• What are the key ingredients that make this dish stand out?

The combination of peanut butter, coconut milk, and soy sauce creates a rich, creamy sauce that infuses the chicken with incredible depth of flavor, making this slow cooker dish truly special and restaurant-worthy.

Why Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken Hits The Spot

• Unlock Effortless Flavor: Dive into a hands-off cooking adventure where the slow cooker transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal with zero kitchen stress.
• Savor Complex Sauce Harmony: Experience a perfectly balanced sauce that blends creamy peanut butter, tangy rice vinegar, sweet honey, and spicy red pepper flakes for a flavor explosion in every bite.
• Customize Your Comfort: Enjoy versatile serving options by pairing with rice or noodles, and personalize with fresh garnishes like crunchy peanuts and bright green onions to match your taste preferences.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare a protein-packed dish that's ideal for busy families, offering easy cooking, delicious leftovers, and minimal cleanup with maximum satisfaction.

Stuff You Need For Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

• Chicken Thighs, Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that absorbs the rich peanut sauce, perfect for slow cooking and easy shredding.

• Peanut Butter: Creamy base that provides rich, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Adds depth and saltiness to complement the peanut flavor.
• Coconut Milk: Creates a smooth, creamy texture and adds subtle tropical sweetness.

• Rice Vinegar: Bright acid that balances the rich sauce and adds tanginess.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that rounds out the sauce's flavor profile.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides depth and complexity.
• Ginger: Fresh, zesty spice that adds warmth and brightness.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Brings subtle heat and mild spiciness to the dish.

• Green Onions, Cilantro, Peanuts: Fresh toppings that add crunch, color, and extra layers of flavor.

Simple Steps For Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

Step 1: Whip Up the Flavorful Sauce

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

Whisk everything until the sauce becomes smooth and dreamy.

Step 2: Nestle the Chicken

Place chicken thighs or breasts into the slow cooker. Pour the luscious peanut sauce all over, making sure every single piece gets a delicious coating.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

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

You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken becomes incredibly tender and cooked through.

Step 4: Shred and Mix

Once cooking is complete, grab two forks and gently shred the chicken right in the slow cooker. Stir everything together so the sauce hugs each piece of meat.

Step 5: Serve with Flair

• Crunchy chopped peanuts
• Sliced green onions
• Fresh cilantro leaves

Prepare for a taste explosion that’ll make your taste buds dance!

Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes (on low) or 3 hours 10 minutes (on high)
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory slow cooker peanut chicken delivers a mouthwatering blend of tender meat and rich, nutty flavors from Southeast Asian cuisine. Hearty comfort meets global spice in this simple, satisfying meal that will delight you with its effortless preparation and bold taste profile.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

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

Sauce Base:

• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium)
• ¼ cup coconut milk (or chicken broth)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tablespoon honey

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)

Garnish:

• ¼ cup chopped peanuts
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Fresh cilantro, chopped

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Instructions

1. Craft a luscious peanut-infused sauce by vigorously whisking together creamy peanut butter, umami-rich soy sauce, silky coconut milk, tangy rice vinegar, golden honey, aromatic minced garlic, zesty grated ginger, and fiery crushed red pepper flakes until the mixture transforms into a smooth, glossy liquid.
2. Nestle chicken pieces into the slow cooker’s ceramic basin, then lavishly drench them with the meticulously prepared peanut sauce, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly coated in the fragrant mixture.
3. Secure the slow cooker’s lid and allow the chicken to luxuriate in a low-temperature bath for 6-7 hours or accelerate the process on high heat for 3-4 hours, until the meat becomes impossibly tender and fully cooked through.
4. Employ two forks to gently deconstruct the succulent chicken directly within the cooking vessel, then thoroughly intermingle the shredded meat with the rich, complex sauce.
5. Plate the peanut-infused chicken atop a bed of fluffy rice or tender noodles, then embellish with a sprinkle of crunchy chopped peanuts, verdant sliced green onions, and a flourish of fresh, vibrant cilantro leaves.

Notes

• Swap chicken thighs with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, creamy peanut sauce flavor profile.
• Reduce honey or use sugar-free alternatives like stevia for a low-carb or diabetic-friendly adaptation of the dish.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice level, adding more for heat lovers or eliminating completely for sensitive palates.
• Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities while preserving the authentic umami taste.

• 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: 462
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 640 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg