Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken (Printable version)

Tender chicken in creamy peanut sauce with ginger, garlic, and lime. A comforting, dairy-free meal ready in 6 hours.

# What you need:

→ Poultry

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 medium onion, finely diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
05 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced

→ Sauce

06 - 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
07 - 1/4 cup soy sauce
08 - 1/4 cup chicken broth
09 - 2 tablespoons honey
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
11 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
12 - 1 tablespoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce

→ To Serve & Garnish

13 - 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
15 - Cooked jasmine rice for serving
16 - Lime wedges

# How to make it:

01 - Arrange chicken thighs in an even layer at the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
02 - Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, chicken broth, honey, lime juice, rice vinegar, and sriracha in a medium bowl until completely smooth and combined.
03 - Scatter diced onion, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced bell pepper evenly over the chicken.
04 - Drizzle the prepared peanut sauce over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring even coverage.
05 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours, until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and is tender enough to shred easily.
06 - Transfer chicken to a cutting board, shred using two forks, and return to the slow cooker. Stir gently to coat thoroughly in the sauce.
07 - Portion hot chicken over cooked jasmine rice and garnish with chopped roasted peanuts, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • The sauce develops this incredible depth that tastes like you spent hours simmering it, but your slow cooker does all the work
  • It's one of those rare dishes that's both dairy-free creamy and somehow feels indulgent without being heavy
  • The leftovers actually taste better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or unexpected dinner guests
02 -
  • The sauce will look separated when you first pour it in, but trust the process and it will emulsify beautifully into silkiness
  • Don't skip the fresh lime juice at the end, it wakes up all the flavors that have been mellowing for hours
  • If the sauce seems too thick after cooking, stir in a splash of warm water or broth to reach your desired consistency
03 -
  • Line your slow cooker with a parchment paper sling for easier cleanup, since peanut sauce can be stubborn
  • If you want to freeze portions, the sauce thickens considerably, so stir in a little warm liquid when reheating

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