Description
This Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken is a flavorful and comforting dish combining tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a creamy homemade peanut sauce. Perfectly cooked in a slow cooker, it’s an easy and healthy meal that blends classic Thai flavors with simple ingredients for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1½ – 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (5-ounce) carton or bag fresh baby spinach
- Juice of 1 large or 2 small limes (¼ cup)
Peanut Sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup light or full-fat canned coconut milk
- ½ cup natural creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup coconut aminos
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional)
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger (or 1 teaspoon dried ground ginger)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables: In a slow cooker, add the bite-sized chicken pieces, diced yellow onion, and diced red bell pepper. Season with sea salt and black pepper, then toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Make the Peanut Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, coconut milk, natural creamy peanut butter, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, honey (if using), toasted sesame oil, fish sauce (if using), grated fresh ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes until smooth and well combined.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared peanut sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 4½ hours, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.
- Season to Taste: Once cooked, taste the dish and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Add Spinach and Lime Juice: Remove the lid and stir in the fresh baby spinach and lime juice. Stir well and let it cook for a few more minutes to allow the spinach to wilt and incorporate into the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the Thai Peanut Chicken over cooked rice, cauliflower rice, Pad Thai noodles, or your preferred noodles. Garnish as desired and enjoy!
Notes
- Easy and flavorful, this dish is a perfect set-it-and-forget-it meal ideal for busy days.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier results or breasts for leaner meat.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to increase or decrease spiciness to your preference.
- Optional honey and fish sauce add sweetness and umami but can be omitted for dietary preferences.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or your choice of noodles to complete the meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 572 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
