Easy Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe

When you want a quick meal, when you crave something flavorful, and when you need a dish that’s easy to prepare, Easy Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken fits the bill. This recipe combines tender chicken with a creamy peanut butter sauce, making it both delicious and nutritious. Curious about how to whip up this delightful dish in just 10-15 minutes? Let’s explore the ingredients and steps you’ll need to create this tasty meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

When you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal, this Easy Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe is perfect for you. It takes just 10-15 minutes to prepare and cook, making it ideal for those busy weeknights. You’ll appreciate that it’s a nutritious, low-carb option, high in protein and packed with vitamins and minerals. The creamy peanut butter sauce, combined with hoisin and soy sauce, creates a savory and slightly sweet flavor that you’ll love. This dish is also perfect for meal prep, so you can enjoy it throughout the week. You can easily customize it to fit your dietary needs, whether you want to swap ingredients or choose different sides like brown rice or steamed vegetables. Plus, it’s great for meal prep, so you can enjoy it throughout the week.

History

Peanut butter chicken has a rich history that reflects its diverse influences. Its roots trace back to West African cuisine, where peanuts have long been a dietary staple. Traditional African stews, like maafe, paired chicken with a peanut-based sauce, showcasing the ingredient’s versatility. African influence is evident in these traditional dishes, which often feature bold spices and slow-cooked meats.

As people migrated and traded, these culinary practices evolved, blending African and Southeast Asian flavors. By the mid-20th century, peanut butter chicken began appearing in Western cookbooks, often with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. The introduction of store-bought peanut butter made recreating these dishes easier in Western kitchens.

Today, this fusion dish symbolizes cultural exchange, bringing together various food traditions and showcasing the unique flavors from different regions around the world.

Recipe

Ingredients:
– Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
– Creamy peanut butter
– Low sodium soy sauce
– Hoisin sauce
– Sesame oil
– Garlic
– Ginger
– Cayenne pepper
– Cornstarch
– Oil for frying
– Sesame seeds, cilantro, or chopped nuts for garnish
– Rice (basmati, round sushi rice, or sticky rice)

Cooking Instructions:

Begin by cutting the boneless skinless chicken into bite-sized pieces or 1-inch cubes. Coat the chicken pieces evenly with cornstarch, ensuring they’re fully covered for a crunchy texture.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the coated chicken pieces in batches, being cautious not to overcrowd the skillet. Fry the chicken until it’s light brown or golden, which should take about 4-5 minutes.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
In a medium bowl, whisk together creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, and hot water. Add hoisin sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cayenne pepper to the mixture, adjusting the spices to your taste. This will create a delicious and creamy peanut butter sauce.
In the same skillet, lower the heat and pour the peanut butter sauce over the fried chicken. Stir to coat the chicken pieces evenly and cook on low heat for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.
Once the sauce has thickened, remove from heat and serve the peanut butter chicken over rice. Garnish with sesame seeds, cilantro, or chopped nuts for added flavor and presentation.

Extra Tips:

To customize this dish, feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more cayenne pepper or sriracha according to your preference. Additionally, this recipe is quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

You can also experiment with different types of rice for serving, such as basmati or sticky rice, to complement the meal.

For a complete dinner, consider adding a side of steamed vegetables to balance out the flavors.

This dish can be prepared in under 20 minutes, making it an excellent choice for a quick and delicious weeknight meal!

Final Thoughts

As you consider making Chinese peanut butter chicken, it’s important to keep in mind the balance of flavors and nutrition in your meal.

This dish is high in protein, making it a hearty option, with about 29 grams per serving. However, it can also be high in fat due to the peanut butter, so portion control is essential. Additionally, this dish provides 52% of Daily Value for protein, which can aid in muscle repair and growth.

To enhance the nutritional value, think about substituting with almond butter or incorporating more vegetables.

Side choices matter, too; opt for steamed veggies instead of rice or noodles to lower carbs.

Remember, not all recipes are alike, so feel free to modify yours.

With mindful ingredient choices, you can enjoy this delicious meal while maintaining a balanced diet.

FAQ

What should you know before diving into the Easy Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken recipe? First, opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cutting them into bite-sized pieces. Coat the chicken with cornstarch for a crunchy texture, and remember to pat them dry first. Cook in batches to guarantee even frying, starting at medium-high heat for that golden brown look.

For the peanut sauce, use natural peanut butter, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce, adding rice vinegar for tang. You can adjust spiciness with cayenne pepper and sweetness with honey or brown sugar. Additionally, the dish is quick and easy to make, taking less than 30 minutes to prepare. If you want a creamier sauce, try broth or coconut milk. Serve it with rice and veggies for a complete meal!