Peanut Butter Chicken with coconut milk, sriracha, and lime — sweet, spicy, and full of bold flavor. So simple, so satisfying and ready in under 30 minutes! Make on the stovetop or in the slow cooker and wow your family and friends.

If you’re looking for a bold, creamy, flavor-packed dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes, say hello to your new weeknight favorite: peanut butter chicken. 

This Thai-inspired dish combines tender chicken thighs with a luscious peanut sauce made from pantry staples — coconut milk, soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, and a hit of sriracha for just the right amount of kick 😉

This recipe is inspired by one of my all-time favorites: chicken satay — those irresistible skewers of grilled chicken served with a rich, sweet-savory peanut sauce. Instead of dipping sauce on the side, the chicken simmers right in that luscious peanut-coconut blend. It’s like satay meets cozy curry – easy enough for a Tuesday night, tasty enough for guests.

Peanut Butter Chicken Ingredients

This peanut sauce is BOLD and flavor-packed thanks to the classic combo of creamy coconut milk and natural peanut butter. Fish sauce and soy sauce add the necessary umami kick while lime juice and maple syrup balance the sweetness and acidity levels. A little sriracha adds a hint of spice while tomato paste brings color and depth of flavor.

I am using bone-in skinless chicken thighs here but you can swap for boneless chicken thighs if preferred. The remaining ingredients are onion, garlic, ginger, and bell peppers. You can also add edamame beans, green beans or choy sum for a welcome pop of color (plus added nutritional benefits).

How to make Peanut Butter Chicken

Believe me when I say this is easy-peasy! First we make the peanut sauce by simply stirring all the ingredients together. This is easier to do if the peanut butter is creamy so you might want to warm it up in the microwave first.

Then our chicken thighs get a good sear to give them some color and speed up the cooking. The onions, garlic, ginger, chili and red pepper are then softened and the peanut sauce is added with the chicken.

A quick simmer later and you can add edamame beans, peas or green beans for a pop of green and there you have it: peanut butter chicken in the most addicting sauce this side of chicken satay 🙂 Don’t forget to garnish with extra chopped peanuts for a bit of crunch and plenty of fresh cilantro.

Slow Cooker Instructions

If you are short on time, you can still make this recipe in your slow cooker. No browning is required unless you really want to (especially if your crockpot has a browning function).

You simply cook the chicken and vegetables in the peanut sauce, adding the edamame right at the end so it doesn’t turn mushy. The chicken will be tender enough to shred after a few hours.

Recipe Notes

• Serving Suggestions: steamed rice is the best partner for this dish as it soaks up all that rich peanut sauce… Microwave-ready packs of rice are a great pantry staple for dinner emergencies!
• Storage & Reheating: This dish tastes even better the next day! Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Warm gently in a pan with a splash of water or coconut milk to reheat. You can also freeze
• Freezing: Freeze in portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove, adding water as needed to loosen the sauce. Please note that this recipe is not suitable for freezing if you use peanut butter powder as the texture may turn grainy.
• Variations and Substitutions: For a vegan / vegetarian variation, swap chicken for tofu, tempeh or plant-based meat alternatives. Make sure to also replace the fish sauce with rice vinegar or vegan fish sauce.
• Using Peanut Butter Powder: You can swap peanut butter for PB powder in this recipe. It’s a great option if you’re cutting back on fat or want a shelf-stable pantry swap. Take a look at the notes in the recipe card.

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👉 DID YOU MAKE THIS PEANUT BUTTER CHICKEN RECIPE? Let me know in the comments how you served yours! And if you loved this dish, don’t forget to try my Thai Basil Chicken, Spicy Peanut Noodles and Satay Chicken Salad 🙂