Creamy Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken Recipe For Busy Nights

Tender, succulent chicken bathes in a rich peanut sauce that promises incredible flavor from this slow cooker peanut chicken.

Weeknight dinners just found their delicious hero.

The combination of savory and sweet creates a mouthwatering meal everyone will adore.

Creamy peanut butter melds perfectly with aromatic spices, turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of hearty protein and silky sauce.

No complicated techniques stand between you and an effortless, satisfying dinner.

This recipe guarantees comfort on a plate with minimal kitchen effort.

Dive into a culinary experience that transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy feast.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours (on low) or 3 hours (on high)

Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes (on low) or 3 hours 10 minutes (on high)

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 3

Ingredients Used In Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

• Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Succulent cut that absorbs rich flavors, choosing bone-in adds deeper taste complexity.

• Peanut Butter: Creates creamy, nutty foundation with luxurious texture and authentic flavor profile.
• Coconut Milk: Delivers silky smoothness and tropical undertone, balancing spicy and savory elements.
• Soy Sauce: Provides umami depth and salty dimension, select low-sodium for better control.

• Rice Vinegar: Introduces bright, tangy notes that cut through richness, opt for unseasoned variety.
• Honey: Adds gentle sweetness and helps caramelize sauce, raw honey offers more robust taste.
• Garlic: Brings pungent warmth and aromatic complexity, fresh cloves deliver more intense flavor.
• Ginger: Contributes zesty, spicy kick with subtle earthiness, fresh root provides most vibrant taste.

• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Injects subtle heat and exciting warmth, adjust quantity for personal spice preference.
• Green Onions: Offers fresh, crisp finish with mild onion sharpness.
• Fresh Cilantro: Provides herbaceous brightness and clean, citrusy undertone.
• Chopped Peanuts: Adds delightful crunch and nutty reinforcement to overall dish.

What Tools Help With Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

• Slow Cooker: Essential for hands-off, tender chicken cooking.
• Medium Bowl: Perfect for whisking together the creamy peanut sauce.
• Whisk: Helps blend sauce ingredients smoothly and quickly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensure accurate ingredient proportions.
• Two Forks: Great for easily shredding cooked chicken.
• Cutting Board: For chopping garnishes like peanuts and green onions.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to chop garnishes and mince garlic.

Steps To Prepare Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

• Sauce Fusion

Blend creamy peanut butter with zesty soy sauce, tropical coconut milk, tangy rice vinegar, golden honey, fragrant garlic, spicy ginger, and a hint of red pepper flakes until silky smooth.

• Chicken Nestling

Gently place chicken pieces into the slow cooker, then lovingly drench them with the nutty peanut sauce, ensuring every inch gets cozy and covered.

• Slow Magic

Let the slow cooker work its wonder, transforming the chicken into tender, flavor-packed morsels. Low and slow for 6-7 hours, or quick and hot for 3-4 hours.

• Tender Breakdown

Tenderly pull apart the succulent chicken using two forks, mixing it thoroughly with the rich, aromatic sauce until perfectly combined.

• Final Touch

Serve your masterpiece over fluffy rice or twirly noodles. Sprinkle with crunchy peanuts, bright green onions, and fresh cilantro for a burst of color and flavor.

Helpful Hints For Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

• Perfect Chicken Texture Trick: Rest the chicken for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and moisture throughout the meat.
• Protein Swap Option: Replace chicken thighs with tofu, tempeh, or boneless turkey breast for diverse protein preferences while maintaining the rich peanut sauce flavor profile.
• Dietary Modification Magic: Create a gluten-free version by using tamari instead of regular soy sauce and ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free, perfect for sensitive diets.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to personalize heat intensity – reduce for mild flavor or increase for a spicier kick that matches individual taste preferences.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare the sauce and chicken in advance, refrigerate, and cook the next day for convenient meal planning with consistent, deep-developed flavors that taste even better after marinating overnight.

Ways To Serve Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

• Flavor-Packed Rice Bowl: Spoon the tender, shredded peanut chicken over steamed jasmine or brown rice, creating a hearty and satisfying meal that combines protein-rich chicken with aromatic grains.
• Noodle Sensation: Toss the saucy chicken over warm egg noodles or rice noodles, adding a sprinkle of sesame seeds and extra chopped green onions for a delightful Asian-inspired dinner.
• Fresh Wrap Adventure: Stuff the peanut chicken into soft lettuce leaves or warm tortillas, topping with quick-pickled vegetables or a zesty slaw for a light, refreshing lunch option that bursts with flavor.
• Meal Prep Magic: Portion the chicken into meal prep containers with rice or quinoa, creating easy grab-and-go lunches that stay delicious and maintain their rich, creamy texture throughout the week.

Smart Storage For Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken

• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover chicken in airtight containers for up to 4 days. The flavors will deepen and become even more delicious as they sit, making next-day meals a tasty treat.
• Freezer-Friendly Feast: Portion chicken into freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 3 months, creating a quick grab-and-go meal for busy weeknights. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of coconut milk to restore moisture. Stir frequently to prevent drying and maintain the sauce's creamy texture.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare a double batch and divide into individual containers with rice or noodles. These make perfect lunch portions for work or quick weeknight dinners, saving time and reducing cooking stress.

Tender Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes (on low) or 3 hours 10 minutes (on high)
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering slow cooker peanut chicken delivers African-inspired comfort with tender meat and rich, complex flavors. Creamy peanut sauce and hearty chicken combine for a satisfying meal that brings global cuisine directly to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium)
• ¼ cup coconut milk (or chicken broth)
• 2 tbsps rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, grated
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• ¼ cup chopped peanuts
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Fresh cilantro, chopped

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, coconut milk, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes until smooth and homogeneous.
2. Chicken Immersion: Transfer chicken into slow cooker and completely coat with prepared peanut sauce, ensuring thorough coverage of each piece.
3. Slow Cooking Process: Cover and cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes fork-tender and fully cooked.
4. Meat Transformation: Shred chicken directly within cooking vessel using two forks, then integrate thoroughly with surrounding sauce to enhance flavor penetration.
5. Serving Presentation: Arrange chicken over steamed rice or noodles, garnishing with chopped peanuts, green onion slices, and fresh cilantro leaves for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Select Peanut Butter Wisely: Choose natural, unsweetened peanut butter without added oils to maintain authentic flavor and prevent excessive oiliness in the sauce.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Adjust coconut milk quantity to create desired sauce thickness – less milk for thicker sauce, more for a lighter, more pourable consistency.
• Prevent Chicken Dryness: Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for enhanced moisture and richer flavor, ensuring tender, succulent meat after slow cooking.
• Customize Spice Levels: Modify crushed red pepper flakes quantity based on personal heat preference, ranging from mild to extra spicy for personalized taste experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours (on low) or 3 hours (on high)
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg