Description
This Thai Peanut Chicken recipe features tender chicken thighs marinated in a rich and flavorful peanut sauce made with creamy peanut butter, coconut milk, fresh lime juice, soy sauce, and aromatic spices. The chicken can be broiled or grilled to perfection, then served with rice and garnished with lime wedges, peanuts, green onions, and cilantro for a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Peanut Sauce Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup unsweetened, full-fat coconut milk (from can, stirred well)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (juice from approximately 1 medium lime)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or fish sauce)
- 1 ½ packed tablespoons brown sugar (dark preferred)
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic (approximately 3 large cloves)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (plus more to taste)
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized chunks)
To Serve
- Cooked white or brown rice
- Lime wedges (to garnish)
- Whole or chopped peanuts (to garnish)
- Chopped green onions (to garnish)
- Chopped cilantro (to garnish)
Instructions
- Make the Peanut Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine creamy peanut butter, full-fat coconut milk, fresh lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ground ginger, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. Whisk the mixture vigorously until completely smooth and well combined. Reserve a portion of this sauce for marinating the chicken.
- Marinate the Chicken: Toss the bite-sized chicken thigh pieces in the reserved peanut sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours to absorb the flavors deeply.
- Prepare for Cooking: If grilling, thread the marinated chicken onto skewers. Alternatively, spread the chicken pieces evenly on a baking sheet if you prefer to broil.
- Broil the Chicken: Place the baking sheet with the marinated chicken under the broiler. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and slightly caramelized on the edges. This generally takes about 8-10 minutes, but keep an eye to avoid burning. Let the chicken rest briefly after cooking.
- Grill the Chicken (optional): Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the chicken skewers on the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until fully cooked through and slightly charred, about 10-12 minutes.
- Serve the Peanut Chicken: Plate the cooked chicken alongside white or brown rice. Drizzle with additional peanut sauce and garnish with lime wedges, whole or chopped peanuts, chopped green onions, and fresh cilantro for vibrant color and flavor.
Notes
- Use dark brown sugar for a richer flavor that complements the peanut sauce well.
- The coconut milk must be from a can, not the carton, to ensure creaminess and thickness in the sauce.
- Marinating time can be adjusted according to your schedule, but longer marination allows for deeper flavor infusion.
- If using wooden skewers for grilling, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to your spice preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Thai
