This easy Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe is a quick, simple, and healthy dinner idea that's on the table in less than 30 minutes. Serve it over noodles or rice with fresh stir fried vegetables.
I love peanut butter.
When I was in college, the cafeteria served an amazing vegetarian dish with peanut butter sauce, and I adored it.
I had never thought about cooking peanut butter with savory food before that, but I was smitten with the first bite.
This was so delicious that I ate it for breakfast this morning, too. It makes a lot, so I'll probably have it for lunch today, too. And maybe breakfast tomorrow.
What you'll need to make the best peanut butter chicken
EQUIPMENT
- Garlic press - A garlic press is a handy tool to have in your kitchen, and once you have one, you'll probably use it every day. Can you mince the garlic with a sharp knife? Yes, you can. But will someone probably get a big chunk of garlic in their mouthful of food? Also probably yes. A garlic press minces the garlic so small that you can't see it in the food in the end, and that releases all of the magnificent oils that make the food taste amazing.
- Microplane grater - This is to grate the fresh ginger.
- Wok - Or a large skillet.
INGREDIENTS
See printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for measurements and nutritional information.
- Wide egg noodles
- Olive oil - You can substitute peanut oil here, if desired.
- Skinless boneless chicken breast – You'll want to cut these into bite size pieces. Also, you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts if you prefer.
- Onion
- Fresh garlic
- Fresh ginger
- Green beans – Trim the beans before adding them to the stir fry.
- Low sodium chicken broth –
- Smooth peanut butter –
- Honey
- Low sodium soy sauce - Be sure to read the label if you are gluten-free as many soy sauces contain gluten.
- Red chili pepper flakes - Red pepper flakes are pretty spicy, so we'll only use a little bit. If you like your food hot, increase the amount.
- Lemon juice
How to make Indonesian peanut butter chicken
- Cook the noodles according to the package directions.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken.
- Cook the chicken for 5 minutes on each side, or until juices run clear and the internal temperature measured on a meat thermometer is 165ºF.
- Add in the onions, garlic, ginger, and green beans.
- Whisk together the chicken broth, peanut butter, honey, soy sauce, pepper flakes, and lemon juice in a medium bowl.
- Pour the creamy peanut butter sauce over the chicken and veggies. Reduce to medium heat.
- Cook and stir 10 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- We like to mix our noodles in the pan, but you could also just serve it over top of the noodles.
- Optionally, you can garnish with green onions and peanuts.
Peanut butter chicken stir fry variations
The first time I made this recipe, I had a glut of green beans that I wanted to use up, and so I kept making it with green beans. But there's no reason that you couldn't make the stir fry with other vegetables, including broccoli, red bell peppers, carrots, or snow peas. It would still be delicious.
Likewise, I mostly make this dish and mix noodles into the sauce, but you could also use white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, or cauliflower rice or even rice noodles instead.
This peanut butter chicken, but if you have an allergy, you can just as easily make almond butter chicken or cashew butter chicken, and it will still taste good.
The only difference between Indonesian peanut chicken and Thai peanut chicken is a squeeze of fresh lime juice in the sauce in place of fresh lemon juice and the addition of coconut milk.
Storing leftover peanut butter chicken
Transfer cooled peanut butter chicken to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. To reheat, mix in a few drops of water or chicken broth and microwave for 30 seconds at a time until heated through.
Try these other savory peanut butter recipes
- Chicken and Veggies with Peanut Stir Fry Sauce
- Peanut Sesame Chicken Over Zucchini Noodles
- Spicy Sriracha Shrimp with Peanut Zucchini Noodles
Recipe
Indonesian Peanut Butter Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound wide egg noodles
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound skinless boneless chicken breast halves - cut into small chunks
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic pressed or minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 2 pound green beans fresh, trimmed and snapped
- 1½ cups chicken broth low-sodium
- ⅔ cup peanut butter smooth
- 1⅓ tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce low sodium
- 1½ teaspoons red chili pepper ground
- ¼ cup lemon juice
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to the package directions.
- Heat the oil in a skillet, and cook the chicken 5 minutes on each side, or until juices run clear. Add in the onions, garlic, ginger, and green beans.
- Whisk together the chicken broth, peanut butter, honey, soy sauce, chile pepper, and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Pour over the chicken and veggies. Cook and stir 10 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- We mixed our noodles in, but you could also just serve it over top of the noodles.
- Optionally, you can garnish with green onions and peanuts.
pk @ room remix says
Sounds YUMMY...
.-= pk @ room remix´s last blog ..Hooked on Stenciled Window Treatments =-.
Jane says
My husband loves those spicy peanut sauces. Sounds like a pretty simple recipe, I'll have to try it. Thanks for sharing it!
.-= Jane´s last blog ..NEARLY FREE GARDEN DESIGNS =-.
bj says
Thanks for this good chicken recipe..
.-= bj´s last blog .......when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie.... =-.
bj says
Thanks for this good chicken recipe..
.-= bj´s last blog .......when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie.... =-.
Ann Kroeker says
I've been looking for something like this, because my niece raved about an Indonesian chicken recipe that her mom makes. Your personal notes sure to tempt me to get bustling in the kitchen to make it tonight!
.-= Ann Kroeker´s last blog ..Food on Fridays: Is Less More? =-.
Ann Kroeker says
I've been looking for something like this, because my niece raved about an Indonesian chicken recipe that her mom makes. Your personal notes sure to tempt me to get bustling in the kitchen to make it tonight!
.-= Ann Kroeker´s last blog ..Food on Fridays: Is Less More? =-.
Mary says
This is my kind of food. Thank you so much for posting this recipe. Have a great weekend.
.-= Mary´s last blog ..Pistachio Chicken Salad with Goat Cheese Medallions - Foodie Friday =-.
Mary says
This is my kind of food. Thank you so much for posting this recipe. Have a great weekend.
.-= Mary´s last blog ..Pistachio Chicken Salad with Goat Cheese Medallions - Foodie Friday =-.
Amy Lynne says
I think we'll have to try that one out! Thanks for sharing!
.-= Amy Lynne´s last blog ..What a Surprise! =-.
Amy Lynne says
I think we'll have to try that one out! Thanks for sharing!
.-= Amy Lynne´s last blog ..What a Surprise! =-.
Sharinskishe says
Sound delicious. I have never tried Indonesian food. I do like peanut butter so this would be a fun thing to try.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Shari
My Food on Fridays Post
.-= Sharinskishe´s last blog ..Food On Fridays - Crock Pot Bacon Grease with Photos =-.
Sharinskishe says
Sound delicious. I have never tried Indonesian food. I do like peanut butter so this would be a fun thing to try.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Shari
My Food on Fridays Post
.-= Sharinskishe´s last blog ..Food On Fridays - Crock Pot Bacon Grease with Photos =-.
pk @ room remix says
Sounds YUMMY...
.-= pk @ room remix´s last blog ..Hooked on Stenciled Window Treatments =-.
darnold23 says
This is so something that I will make. I love all of the flavors! Thanks a bunch. Beginning August 5, I will be hosting Crock Pot Wednesdays at Diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com, and I hope you will join me. THERE WILL BE PRIZES:)!!!
.-= darnold23´s last blog ..HEIRLOOM TOMATO PIE with Foodie Friday and Friday Feasts =-.
darnold23 says
This is so something that I will make. I love all of the flavors! Thanks a bunch. Beginning August 5, I will be hosting Crock Pot Wednesdays at Diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com, and I hope you will join me. THERE WILL BE PRIZES:)!!!
.-= darnold23´s last blog ..HEIRLOOM TOMATO PIE with Foodie Friday and Friday Feasts =-.
Jane says
My husband loves those spicy peanut sauces. Sounds like a pretty simple recipe, I'll have to try it. Thanks for sharing it!
.-= Jane´s last blog ..NEARLY FREE GARDEN DESIGNS =-.
angie says
sounds delicious
.-= angie´s last blog ..Friday Fill Ins July 17, 2009 =-.
angie says
sounds delicious
.-= angie´s last blog ..Friday Fill Ins July 17, 2009 =-.
Robyns Online World says
I have to admit I've never tasted anything with a peanut type sauce on it. I'm not a huge fan of peanut butter - but hubby and son are. It always sounds like such an odd combo to me but I know so many folks love it. I will be brave and try something with peanut sauce sometime.
.-= Robyns Online World´s last blog ..Chex Mix Bars Giveaway & Review =-.
Amanda says
Tara, that sounds wonderful. I am definitely adding it to an upcoming meal plan. This is my first time reading your blog and I love it. Check out mine sometime: http://copingwithfrugality.blogspot.com/
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Community Service Saturday =-.
Amanda says
Tara, that sounds wonderful. I am definitely adding it to an upcoming meal plan. This is my first time reading your blog and I love it. Check out mine sometime: http://copingwithfrugality.blogspot.com/
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Community Service Saturday =-.
Robyn's Online World says
I have to admit I've never tasted anything with a peanut type sauce on it. I'm not a huge fan of peanut butter - but hubby and son are. It always sounds like such an odd combo to me but I know so many folks love it. I will be brave and try something with peanut sauce sometime.
.-= Robyns Online World´s last blog ..Chex Mix Bars Giveaway & Review =-.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~ says
Thanks for the recipe it looks like a winner. It's so nice to get proven recipes instead of trying it for the first time and not being happy with the results.~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
.-= ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~´s last blog ..Beautiful Breezy Day =-.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~ says
Thanks for the recipe it looks like a winner. It's so nice to get proven recipes instead of trying it for the first time and not being happy with the results.~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
.-= ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~´s last blog ..Beautiful Breezy Day =-.
Amy @ Finer Things says
I'm a huge fan of the allrecipes ingredient search. Makes using what you have a cinch!
.-= Amy @ Finer Things´s last blog ..A YES! Mom Moment =-.
Amy @ Finer Things says
I'm a huge fan of the allrecipes ingredient search. Makes using what you have a cinch!
.-= Amy @ Finer Things´s last blog ..A YES! Mom Moment =-.