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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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