The Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe is the answer to your craving for a scrumptious meal! Perfect for a delightful dinner any day of the week, this recipe requires just four ingredients and a quick 30 minutes in the kitchen.
You'll be amazed at how this flavorful combination of juicy chicken, onions, creamy peanut butter, and canned tomatoes comes together to create a mouthwatering feast. Get ready to savor every bite of this dish!
This recipe is part of my Meat and Poultry Category, where you will find plenty of recipes to make for dinner, like this Tinga Poblana (Mexican Pork Tinga) Recipe, or this One-Pan Harissa Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Lime. From one-pot meals to roasted chicken or pork, there is something for everyone.
However, this Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe is the answer to your craving for a scrumptious meal! Perfect for a delightful dinner any day of the week, this recipe requires just a few ingredients and a quick 30 minutes in the kitchen.
You'll be amazed at how this flavorful combination of juicy chicken, onions, creamy peanut butter, and canned tomatoes comes together to create a mouthwatering feast. Get ready to savor every bite of this dish!
Jump to:
Why do I like the recipe?
- Easy to make: This recipe is relatively simple and straightforward, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels. Whether you choose to use raw chicken or already cooked chicken, the steps are easy to follow, and the ingredients are commonly found in most kitchens.
- Versatile and customizable: The recipe allows for flexibility and customization, making it adaptable to individual preferences. You can make it spicy by adding chili flakes or hot sauce, or you can incorporate additional vegetables like bell peppers or peas for added color and texture. The dish can also be paired with various side dishes such as rice, noodles, or even roasted vegetables, allowing you to create a complete and satisfying meal that suits your personal taste.
- Family-friendly meal: Peanut butter chicken is a dish that appeals to a wide range of palates, making it a great choice for family meals. Both children and adults generally enjoy the creamy and mild flavors of the peanut butter sauce. It's a dish that can help introduce new flavors to picky eaters and encourage them to try different ingredients.
- Nutritious and protein-packed: Chicken is a lean source of protein, making it a nutritious choice for a main course. By adding peanut butter to the dish, you're incorporating healthy fats and additional protein into the meal. Peanut butter is also a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. This recipe offers a balanced combination of macronutrients, which can help keep you feeling satisfied and energized.
- Budget-friendly option: Chicken is often an affordable protein choice, and this recipe allows you to make the most of it. By combining the chicken with pantry staples like butter, vegetable oil, onions, and canned tomatoes, you can create a flavorful and satisfying meal without breaking the bank. It's a cost-effective option that doesn't compromise on taste or quality.
Overall, this recipe for peanut butter chicken is comfort food, low carb, and keto friendly as also very rich in proteins and healthy fats.
Basic ingredients required
(For ingredient quantities, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this article.)
Chicken:
The best part is that you can make this dish with either raw or already-cooked chicken. Let's talk about each one of the options.
- Raw chicken: To show you how the recipe is made, I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts. However, you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs or drumsticks, or boneless chicken thighs.
- Cooked chicken: This version will take less time to make the stew, as the chicken is already cooked. Think rotisserie chicken, roasted chicken, or boiled.
Peanut butter:
Traditionally, this stew is made with roasted peanuts.
The common practice is to grind the peanuts into a paste, but you can definitely use regular peanut butter to make your life easier.
You will need only two generous tablespoons of peanut butter to obtain a creamy sauce for the recipe.
Most Americans have a jar in their pantry. For this dish, though, you should use plain, natural peanut butter with no sugar added to it. I like natural creamy peanut butter.
However, crunchy peanut butter is also acceptable.
If you want more texture, throw a handful of chopped peanuts in the sauce for more texture.
Canned tomatoes:
To make this peanut butter sauce, a ½ cup of canned diced tomatoes or tomato pure for this peanut butter sauce is all you need.
Onion:
Use a large onion and dice it small.
Butter and oil:
The traditional oil for the recipe is palm oil, but we live in the US, and palm oil is not something we cook with regularly, so I used a mixture of olive oil and butter.
Butter makes everything better when you brown meats with it. You can also use vegetable oil. It is your personal preference.
Chicken stock or water:
I prefer low-sodium chicken stock as I like to control the salt in the food, and sometimes, regular stock is very salty.
Use regular water if you do not have any stock or broth in the house.
Optional spices:
Cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, paprika, black pepper, or garlic powder are great options if you want to add spices to the dish.
Related: Chicken Stewed in Tomato Garlic and Cinnamon- Kota Kapama- a Greek dish made with chicken, tomato sauce, and cinnamon.
How to make this dish:
Step One. Gather the ingredients and prepare them for the dish.
Cube the chicken and dice the onions. Set aside.
Step two. Saute the chicken.
Using a large skillet, melt the butter and oil on medium heat.
Add the chicken and brown it for about 15 minutes until cooked.
If you use chicken thighs or drumsticks, brown them on each side.
Step three. Cook the onions.
While the chicken is cooking, add the diced onion to the skillet.
Season with salt and pepper.
Step four. Add the canned tomatoes and water or chicken broth.
When the meat is cooked, and the onions are soft, add diced tomatoes in tomato sauce and mix it with the rest of the ingredients.
Also, add water/chicken stock to make a sauce.
Allow the chicken to simmer in that sauce for about 10 minutes.
Tip: You can also use tomato puree or tomato paste instead.
Step five. Add peanut butter.
Now is the time to add some of this delicious peanut butter.
Mix well to coat the chicken with the creamy peanut butter sauce.
Add more water to dissolve the peanut butter if the sauce is too thick.
You want a smooth, creamy consistency for this sauce, but you do not want a soup.
Simmer the chicken in peanut butter sauce on low heat for about 5 minutes.
Taste for salt and add if there is a need for it.
At this point, you are ready to serve it. I mean, how easy was that?
How to serve this dish
This recipe for peanut butter chicken is perfectly served in a small bowl over cooked plain, steamed rice for an easy and complete meal.
Jasmine rice or brown rice are delicious options, but rice noodles don't sound too bad, either.
Sprinkle some diced green onions on top as garnish if you want to be fancier. Your whole family will be pleased.
Traditionally, this stew is served with couscous, fufu, quinoa, or even sweet potatoes.
If you want to keep it on the low-carb or keto-friendly side, use cauliflower rice.
It will definitely be a delicious meal.
How to store leftovers
Store the leftover chicken and peanut butter sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
You can also freeze it for up to three months.
When ready to eat, defrost it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it in the microwave or the stovetop on medium-high heat.
I am allergic to peanut butter. What else can I use?
I never replaced the peanut butter in this recipe. However, you might be able to use almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seeds butter instead.
I do not know how the dish will taste, but please come back and let me know.
We might be into something here!
Related: Pantry Staples Checklist
You can add some cooked vegetables next to the rice and chicken. Broccoli works very well.
More chicken recipes
Chicken Stewed in Tomato Garlic and Cinnamon- Kota Kapama
Easy No Breaded Fried Chicken Thighs
Acorn Squash With Chicken & Fennel
10 Bone-In Chicken Breast Recipes
More recipes with rice
As a dessert, you can quickly make these cookies, which are also naturally gluten-free.
More recipes with peanut butter
Triple Layer Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
Peanut Butter Snowball Cookies
Enjoy!
Craving more? Subscribe to The Bossy Kitchen to get new recipes and a newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! Stay in touch on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for all of the latest updates. Don't forget to use the star rating and leave a review.
📖 Recipe
Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 big chicken breasts cubed
- 1 large onion diced
- ½ cup diced tomatoes in tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 cup hot water or low-sodium chicken broth
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
If you make the recipe with raw chicken:
- Melt butter in the pan on medium heat and add the oil.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper and place it in the pan. Fry it on both sides until golden brown. You can also chop it if you prefer it this way.
- Add the chopped onion and saute it until soft and translucent.
- Add the diced tomatoes in the tomato sauce and water and simmer the chicken for about 10 minutes.
- Add the peanut butter to the pan. Mix well to coat the chicken.
- Bring to a boil, constantly stirring to make a sauce.
- Lower heat to a simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Taste for salt and pepper.
- Serve over cooked rice.
Notes
- Melt butter in the pan. Add the oil and the chopped onion and saute it until soft.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add the pieces of cooked chicken.
- Stir the peanut butter into the pan.
- Add hot water and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Lower heat to a simmer for another 4-5 minutes.
- Taste for salt and pepper.
- Serve over cooked rice.
Anonymous says
Mary H says
I made a spicy version tossing the chicken with Tabasco sauce before cooking and adding thyme and nutmeg to the sauce.
We call it African Chicken.
Street Food Delivery says
Thanks for sharing valuable information, this is the best article which I have ever read, Here I’m sharing best “Street food online delivery” details, just go through it.
STREET FOOD DELIVERY
FOOD DELIVERY
Street Food Delivery says
Thanks for sharing valuable information, this is the best article which I have ever read, Here I’m sharing best “Street food online delivery” details, just go through it.
STREET FOOD DELIVERY
FOOD DELIVERY
maura says
Thanks! This was very easy and tasty and I also really appreciate how concise and too the point the instructions were!
Gigi says
I’ve made this recipe many times and it always turns out. It is so delicious that it is always hard to only have a little bit. I recommend it to everyone.
Gabriela says
Thank you, Gigi, for taking the time to leave a comment. This recipe is indeed very good!
Tammy Jo Canini says
I made this a couple of times my family loves it. I used rotisserie chicken instead of breast ans added green peppers .