Description
This Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken is a flavor-packed, hands-off dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Creamy, slightly spicy, and loaded with comforting peanut sauce, it’s a dish the whole family will love.
Ingredients
1.5 to 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 cup unsweetened natural peanut butter (creamy)
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup honey or brown sugar
2–3 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
1 tbsp sesame oil (optional but adds flavor)
1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
1–2 tsp red chili flakes or Sriracha (adjust to taste)
1 cup canned coconut milk (optional for creaminess)
½ cup water or chicken broth (to loosen sauce)
Crushed peanuts, chopped cilantro, green onions, or sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
Make the Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, rice vinegar or lime juice, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, chili flakes or Sriracha, and water or broth. Stir in coconut milk if using.
Add to Slow Cooker: Place the chicken in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over the top. Make sure the chicken is evenly coated.
Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 2.5–3.5 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
Shred & Stir: Shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks. Stir to coat the chicken in the sauce.
Serve: Serve hot over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps. Garnish with peanuts, cilantro, and green onions if desired.
Notes
For a thicker sauce, cook uncovered on HIGH for 15–20 minutes at the end.
For a thinner sauce, add a bit more chicken broth or coconut milk.
Almond butter can be used in place of peanut butter for a twist.
Leftovers taste even better the next day!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg