Description
This Peanut Butter Chicken recipe combines tender, marinated chicken breast pieces cooked to a golden brown and tossed in a rich, flavorful peanut sauce. Served over rice with crisp, quick pickled vegetables and fresh herbs, it’s a vibrant and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast, diced into 1 inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red curry paste
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger paste
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Peanut Sauce
- 1 recipe of super easy peanut sauce (typically includes peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, garlic, and water to thin)
Accompaniments
- Quick pickled vegetables (such as thinly sliced cucumber, carrots, or radishes)
- Cooked rice, for serving
- Fresh chopped cilantro, for garnish
- Thinly sliced green onion, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine olive oil, red curry paste, curry powder, garlic powder, ginger paste, kosher salt, and fresh cracked pepper to create a well-blended marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the diced chicken breast to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours to allow flavors to penetrate.
- Bring Chicken to Room Temperature: Remove the marinated chicken from the fridge and let it rest at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes. This helps ensure even cooking.
- Make the Peanut Sauce: While the chicken is resting, prepare the easy peanut sauce according to your recipe and set it aside for serving.
- Heat the Pan: Warm a large cast iron skillet, griddle, or pan over medium heat until hot.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook the chicken, turning occasionally, until all sides develop a dark golden brown crust and the chicken is cooked through.
- Combine with Peanut Sauce: Toss the cooked chicken with the peanut sauce if you prefer every piece coated; alternatively, drizzle the sauce over the chicken when plating.
- Serve: Plate the peanut butter chicken over a bed of cooked rice. Add quick pickled vegetables on the side, and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and thinly sliced green onions for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken longer will enhance the flavor and tenderness but avoid exceeding 24 hours to prevent texture changes.
- Use a cast iron pan for the best crust formation, but a heavy-bottom skillet works as well.
- Quick pickled vegetables can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Adjust the spice level of the red curry paste according to your preference.
- If you want a gluten-free meal, ensure the peanut sauce ingredients do not contain gluten.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 1-2 hours marinating)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion (Asian-inspired)
