Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken (Print Version)

Tender chicken in a rich, creamy peanut sauce with ginger, garlic, and lime. An easy, comforting meal full of bold flavors.

# Recipe Ingredients:

→ Poultry

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 medium onion, finely diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
05 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced

→ Sauce

06 - 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
07 - 1/4 cup soy sauce
08 - 1/4 cup chicken broth
09 - 2 tablespoons honey
10 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
12 - 1 tablespoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce

→ To Serve & Garnish

13 - 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
15 - Cooked jasmine rice or steamed rice, for serving
16 - Lime wedges (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Place chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, chicken broth, honey, lime juice, rice vinegar, and sriracha until smooth.
03 - Scatter the diced onion, garlic, ginger, and sliced bell pepper over the chicken.
04 - Pour the peanut sauce evenly over everything in the slow cooker.
05 - Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
06 - Remove chicken, shred or leave whole as preferred, and return to the sauce. Stir gently to coat.
07 - Serve hot over jasmine rice, garnished with chopped peanuts, cilantro, and lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Set it and forget it cooking that lets your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting
  • The sauce develops this incredible depth as it simmers for hours, nothing like stove-top versions
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day, if there are any
02 -
  • The sauce will look thin when you first pour it in but it thickens beautifully as it cooks, don't be tempted to add thickener
  • Stir gently when you return the shredded chicken so you don't break up those tender pieces too much
  • If you're home during cooking, give it one quick stir halfway through for more even distribution of flavors
03 -
  • Line your slow cooker insert with a cooking spray for easier cleanup, that peanut sauce can be stubborn
  • If the sauce looks too thick after cooking, stir in a splash of warm water or broth until it reaches your desired consistency

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