Description
This Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken is creamy, cozy, and packed with Thai-inspired flavor. Juicy chicken thighs are slow-cooked in a rich peanut sauce with garlic, ginger, lime, and soy—perfect over rice or noodles. It’s a low-effort, high-reward dinner the whole family will crave again and again!
Ingredients
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1½ to 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
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¾ cup natural creamy peanut butter
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⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
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2 tbsp rice vinegar
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2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
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1 tbsp fresh grated ginger (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
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¾ cup chicken broth or water
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Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tbsp)
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1 medium onion, thinly sliced
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1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
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Optional garnishes: chopped peanuts, green onions, cilantro, sesame seeds
Instructions
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and chicken broth until smooth.
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Add the sliced onion and red bell pepper to the bottom of the slow cooker. Place chicken pieces on top.
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Pour the peanut sauce over the chicken, making sure everything is well coated.
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Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 2½–3½ hours, until chicken is fork-tender.
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Stir in lime juice just before serving.
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Serve over rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped peanuts, green onions, cilantro, or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
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For best results, use natural peanut butter without added sugar or oils.
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Chicken thighs stay more tender and flavorful, but breasts work too!
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Want more veggies? Add broccoli, zucchini, or carrots during the last hour of cooking.
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This recipe is mild with optional spice—add more chili or Sriracha to turn up the heat.
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To make this vegetarian, swap chicken for cubed tofu or canned chickpeas.
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Freezes well—just store in portions and thaw overnight in the fridge!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4–6 hours (on LOW)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired / Thai-style
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/5 of recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: slow cooker peanut chicken, Thai peanut chicken, crockpot chicken, creamy peanut chicken, easy weeknight dinner