Creamy Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken Recipe for Busy Nights

Slow cooker peanut chicken reimagines mundane weeknight dinners into a flavor-packed adventure that awakens taste buds with minimal effort.

This comforting dish blends rich, creamy textures with a harmonious balance of savory and nutty notes that dance across your palate.

Home cooks adore the simplicity of tossing ingredients into a single appliance and letting magic unfold throughout the day.

The tender meat absorbs complex seasonings, creating a meal that feels both sophisticated and approachable.

Aromatic spices mingle with smooth peanut sauce, promising a dining experience that transcends ordinary protein preparations.

Cultural influences shine through in each bite, reflecting global culinary traditions without overwhelming delicate ingredients.

Convenience meets gourmet potential in this crowd-pleasing recipe that guarantees satisfaction for busy families and adventurous food lovers.

How to Handle Leftover Peanut Chicken

• Refrigerate: Store leftover peanut chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months. Frozen portions maintain best quality when used within this timeframe.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated chicken in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until internal temperature reaches 165°F. For oven reheating, place in a covered dish at 350°F, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out.

What Goes Well with Peanut Chicken Bowls

• Pair with Jasmine Rice: Fluffy jasmine rice perfectly complements the rich, nutty peanut sauce, absorbing the flavors while providing a light, fragrant base for the tender chicken.
• Sip Crisp Riesling: A slightly sweet Riesling balances the spicy chili garlic paste, cutting through the peanut butter's richness and enhancing the dish's complex flavor profile.
• Garnish with Fresh Lime Slaw: A zesty, crunchy coleslaw with lime and cilantro adds bright, tangy contrast to the warm, creamy chicken, creating a vibrant and refreshing side.
• Serve Alongside Roasted Sesame Broccoli: Crispy roasted broccoli with sesame seeds provides a nutty, green vegetable counterpoint that echoes the dish's Asian-inspired flavors and adds nutritional balance.

Easy Peanut Chicken Variations to Try

• Spicy Thai Peanut Fusion: Replace chili garlic paste with sriracha and add red curry paste for an intense, fiery flavor profile that kicks up the heat.
• Coconut Curry Transformation: Swap half the chicken broth with coconut milk and sprinkle ground turmeric for a creamy, golden Southeast Asian-inspired version that brings rich, aromatic notes.
• Ginger-Lime Zesty Edition: Incorporate freshly grated ginger and increase lime juice quantity, then garnish with toasted cashews and green onions for a bright, tangy chicken dish with added crunch.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, reducing cooking time to prevent overcooking while maintaining the signature peanut sauce's robust flavor and texture.

Why Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken Stands Out

• Unlock Effortless Flavor Fusion: This slow cooker peanut chicken delivers complex, restaurant-quality tastes with minimal kitchen effort, blending sweet, savory, and spicy notes in one simple dish.
• Embrace Hands-Off Cooking Magic: The slow cooker method transforms ordinary ingredients into a tender, mouthwatering meal without constant monitoring, perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious convenience.
• Celebrate Versatile Serving Possibilities: Enjoy this peanut chicken over fluffy rice, slurp-worthy noodles, or alongside fresh vegetables, creating a customizable dinner that adapts to your mood and pantry contents.
• Savor Nutrition-Packed Comfort Food: Packed with protein from chicken, healthy fats from peanut butter, and vibrant vegetables, this recipe offers a balanced meal that feels indulgent yet nourishing.

Peanut Chicken Ingredient Breakdown

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that becomes tender and flavorful when slow-cooked, best when fresh and boneless.

• Bell Pepper, Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that adds depth and sweetness to the dish, providing essential flavor and texture.

• Peanut Butter: Creamy base that creates a rich, nutty sauce with authentic Southeast Asian-inspired flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Liquid component that helps develop moisture and enhances overall sauce consistency.
• Soy Sauce: Provides savory umami depth and saltiness to balance the sauce.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create a glossy sauce texture.
• Sesame Oil: Brings distinctive nutty aroma and traditional Asian cooking flavor.
• Chili Garlic Paste: Introduces subtle heat and complex spicy notes to the sauce.

• Lime Juice, Cilantro: Bright, fresh elements that add final zesty and herbal notes to the completed dish.

Slow Cooker Instructions for Creamy Peanut Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Slow Cooker Ingredients

• Bell pepper
• Onion
• Garlic

First, spread the chopped vegetables evenly across the bottom of your slow cooker. Gently place chicken breasts on top of the vegetable layer.

Step 2: Create Creamy Peanut Sauce

• Peanut butter
• Chicken broth
• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Sesame oil
• Chili garlic paste

Whisk everything together until the sauce becomes smooth and well-blended.

Step 3: Layer Sauce Over Chicken

Pour the entire peanut sauce mixture directly over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker. Make sure the sauce covers the ingredients completely.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

• High setting: Cook for 2-3 hours
• Low setting: Cook for 4-5 hours

The chicken is ready when it’s fully cooked and tender.

Step 5: Add Fresh Finishing Touches

• Fresh lime juice
• Chopped cilantro

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Plate your peanut chicken over rice, noodles, or alongside your favorite side dishes. Savor the delicious, flavor-packed meal you’ve created!

Kitchen Tips for Easy Peanut Chicken

• Optimize Peanut Butter Blending: Warm the peanut butter slightly before whisking to ensure a smoother, lump-free sauce that coats the chicken evenly.
• Prevent Dry Chicken: Use chicken breasts of similar size and thickness to guarantee uniform cooking and prevent any pieces from becoming too dry.
• Enhance Flavor Layering: Add a splash of rice vinegar or ginger to the sauce for an extra depth of tangy, aromatic complexity.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust the chili garlic paste quantity to suit your heat preference, making the dish mild or fiery as desired.
• Perfect Serving Strategy: Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor absorption.

Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Slow cooker peanut chicken delivers a mouthwatering fusion of Thai-inspired flavors and comforting slow-cooked goodness. Tender chicken bathes in a creamy, nutty sauce that promises to transport you to culinary bliss with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken breasts

Vegetables:

• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 0.5 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped

Sauce Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 0.25 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon chili garlic paste
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

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Instructions

1. Layer the diced bell pepper, onion, and chopped garlic across the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a flavorful base for the dish.
2. Carefully arrange the chicken breasts directly on top of the vegetable mixture, ensuring even placement.
3. Prepare the peanut sauce by vigorously whisking together peanut butter, chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and chili garlic paste until the mixture transforms into a smooth, well-integrated liquid.
4. Gently cascade the prepared peanut sauce over the chicken and vegetables, making sure to evenly coat all ingredients within the slow cooker.
5. Secure the lid and set the slow cooker to HIGH temperature, allowing the dish to cook for 2-3 hours, or alternatively use LOW temperature for 4-5 hours until the chicken becomes completely tender and thoroughly cooked.
6. After cooking, carefully remove the lid and introduce fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro, stirring gently to incorporate these bright, finishing flavors throughout the dish.
7. Transfer the succulent peanut chicken onto a bed of steamed rice, delicate noodles, or alongside your preferred accompaniments, creating a complete and satisfying meal ready to be savored.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by adjusting the amount of chili garlic paste for a personalized spice experience.
• Prep ingredients the night before to make morning cooking faster and more convenient.
• Shred chicken directly in the slow cooker after cooking for an effortless and tender meal.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Enhance nutrition by adding extra vegetables like carrots or snap peas during the cooking process.
• Transform this dish into a meal prep option by portioning and freezing individual servings for later.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg