Easy Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe (Slow Cooker)
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Slow cooker peanut butter chicken is made with tender, boneless chicken breasts that slow cook in a creamy peanut butter sauce similar to Thai peanut chicken. This set-it-and-forget-it easy dinner is simple to prepare, perfect for busy nights and great for meal prep.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients, minimal prep in the slow cooker, big flavor
- Works for meal prep and leftovers
- Flexible, add heat or veggies to suit your taste
Here is What You Will Need
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Peanut sauce (here’s the recipe for easy peanut sauce) or you can use jarred sauce to save time.
- Lime juice
- Water, chicken broth or chicken stock
How to Make Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Chicken
(scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions and ingredient amounts)
- Make the creamy peanut butter sauce, and squeeze the lime juice. Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.
- Brown the chicken in a heavy skillet.
- Pour the peanut butter sauce into the slow cooker and place the chicken pieces on top.
- Cover and cook on low heat for about 3 1/2 hours.
Tips
- If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of water or broth until it reaches a consistency you like.
- Dry the chicken well before searing, the surface browns better when moisture is removed.
- Make sure the pan is hot before adding
Serving Suggestions
Serve this flavorful dish garnished with chopped peanuts and green onions.
Great options for side dishes are rice noodles, jasmine rice, steamed brown rice, white rice, rice or cauliflower rice and stir-fried vegetables, green beans, or a zucchini ribbon salad.
How to Store Leftovers
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave.
Leftover Flip Ideas
Salad – Top field greens with shredded peanut butter chicken and drizzle your favorite dressing.
Wraps – Stuff leftover chicken into a tortilla or lettuce leaves with a side of spicy mango salsa.
Noodle Toss – Warm the chicken and toss it with cooked noodles, add sauteed veggies like broccoli, carrots, mushrooms or bell peppers.
Variations
Spicy – Add more heat with 1/2 teaspoon or more to your taste of sriracha sauce or red pepper flakes.
Add Veggies – For a complete meal, stir in chopped veggies such as red peppers, broccoli, mushrooms or snow peas about 30 minutes to an hour before serving.
Vegetarian – Replace chicken with a block of cooked tofu.
Do you want more Crockpot inspiration? Check out these recipes.
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Recipe FAQs
Yes, it can. Once the chicken is browned on top of the stove, add the peanut sauce. Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low and simmer for an hour or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees f.
No, it is not necessary, but this step helps to lock in moisture, add a little more flavor, and speeds up the cooking time. If you don’t brown the chicken before slow cooking, add another 30 minutes of cooking time.
You Might Like These Peanut Butter Recipes
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Click on serving size to scale this recipe
Slow Cooker Easy Peanut Butter Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound boneless chicken breast
- 2/3 cup peanut sauce homemade or store bought
- 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: pat it dry with paper towels and combine the peanut sauce, minced garlic, water or broth and lime juice.
- Heat a heavy skillet over high heat, once hot, reduce the heat to medium-high and add the chicken. Sear until golden brown on both sides – about 3 minutes per side.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the slow cooker and stir. Add the chicken and turn to coat. Cover and cook on Low for about 3 1/2 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Video
Notes
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Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
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I love how easy and delicious this was to make. I added a little bit of soy sauce and it was so good.
Thank you Mary, I’m glad you liked it!
What is peanut sauce. How do you make it or purchase it/
Hi Pat, Peanut sauce is a sauce that’s made with peanut butter and soy sauce. There is a link to a recipe in the post and you can also buy it in the Asian food section of your supermarket.