Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken with White Rice and Cilantro
There’s something inherently comforting about a dish that simmers gently in the slow cooker all day, filling your home with mouthwatering aromas. This slow cooker peanut chicken is a prime example, blending savory, nutty, and lightly sweet flavors into a meal that’s hard to resist.
Whether you’re looking for an effortless weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing option for your next gathering, this peanut chicken recipe checks all the boxes. With minimal prep and hands-off cooking, you can enjoy a delectable Asian-inspired meal without hours spent in the kitchen.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❓
This slow cooker peanut chicken recipe is a true crowd-pleaser, loved by both kids and adults alike. The combination of tender chicken, velvety peanut sauce, and fluffy white rice creates a texture contrast that’s utterly satisfying. Plus, it’s a breeze to make – just toss the ingredients in the slow cooker and let the magic happen while you go about your day.
One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. It can be easily adapted to suit a variety of dietary needs, from reduced-fat to lower-carb. And with the option to make it ahead of time, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping on the weekend.
🛒 What You Need to Prepare Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken ❓
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 4 cups cooked white rice, for serving
• Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
The beauty of this slow cooker peanut chicken is that most ingredients are pantry or freezer staples. The combination of creamy peanut butter, savory soy sauce, and a touch of brown sugar creates the Thai-inspired flavor profile that has made slow cooker recipes perennially popular.
📝 How to Make Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken Step-by-Step ❓
• Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, chicken broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir to coat.
• Step 3: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
• Step 4: Serve the peanut chicken over cooked white rice, garnished with fresh chopped cilantro.
⏱️ Timing Overview
• Cooking time: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
• Total time: 6-8 hours 15 minutes
Compared to traditional Thai peanut chicken dishes that can take up to an hour to prepare, this slow cooker version saves you valuable time while delivering similar flavors.
👩🏻⚕️ Nutritional Information
Per serving (based on 6 servings):
• Protein: 37g
• Carbohydrates: 29g
• Fat: 23g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 641mg
These slow cooker peanut chicken bowls provide approximately 74% of your daily protein requirements and 13% of your daily carbohydrate needs, making them not just delicious but nutritionally valuable as well.
🔄 Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe
• Lower-carb version: Serve the peanut chicken over riced cauliflower or zucchini noodles instead of white rice.
• Dairy-free adaptation: Swap out the peanut butter for almond butter or sunflower seed butter.
• Added protein: Toss in 1 cup of cooked chickpeas or edamame for an extra protein boost.
• Boost vegetables: Add 2 cups of chopped broccoli or snow peas to the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
These modifications can reduce calories by up to 20% or adapt the recipe for specific dietary needs without compromising the fundamental flavor profile of the slow cooker peanut chicken.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
• Pair with a fresh Asian-inspired salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
• Complement with a simple cucumber and red onion salad dressed in rice vinegar and sesame oil.
• For a family-style dinner, serve the peanut chicken alongside potstickers or vegetable spring rolls.
• Create an appetizer platter with the peanut chicken, sliced cucumber, carrot sticks, and crushed peanuts for dipping.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Using the wrong peanut butter: Opt for a creamy, natural peanut butter without added sugars or oils, which can make the sauce overly thick or greasy.
• Forgetting to taste and adjust: Periodically taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more soy sauce, brown sugar, or red pepper flakes to suit your preferences.
• Not garnishing properly: Don’t forget the fresh cilantro garnish, as it adds a bright, herbaceous contrast to the rich peanut sauce.
• Skipping the rice: Serving the peanut chicken over a bed of fluffy white rice (or a lower-carb alternative) is essential for soaking up all the delicious sauce.
🧊 Storing Tips for the Recipe
These slow cooker peanut chicken bowls retain their quality remarkably well:
• Freezing unbaked: Prepare the peanut sauce and chicken in a freezer-safe container, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cooking in the slow cooker.
• Freezing baked: Allow the cooked peanut chicken to cool completely, then portion into individual servings and freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.
• Reheating: For best results, reheat the peanut chicken and rice separately in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth or water to the chicken to restore moisture and texture.
❓ FAQs
Can I make this peanut chicken recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! This slow cooker peanut chicken is perfect for making ahead. You can assemble the ingredients in the slow cooker insert the night before, then simply refrigerate until ready to cook the next day. Alternatively, you can prepare the full recipe and store the cooked chicken and rice separately in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Can I substitute the peanut butter with another nut or seed butter?
Yes, you can easily swap out the peanut butter for another type of nut or seed butter, such as almond butter or sunflower seed butter. These alternatives will provide a similar creaminess and nutty flavor profile to the dish.
Is there a way to make this recipe lower in carbs?
To make a lower-carb version of this slow cooker peanut chicken, you can serve it over riced cauliflower or zucchini noodles instead of traditional white rice. You can also try using a sugar-free sweetener in place of the brown sugar in the sauce.
What should I do if the sauce is too thick or too thin?
If the peanut sauce ends up being too thick, you can thin it out by adding a bit more chicken broth or water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. Conversely, if the sauce is too thin, you can make a cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) and stir it into the sauce to thicken it up.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to customize the recipe by adding chopped broccoli, snow peas, bell peppers, or other veggies of your choice. Simply add them to the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking to ensure they don’t become overcooked.
Conclusion
These slow cooker peanut chicken bowls represent the perfect balance of convenience, flavor, and presentation. Whether you’re serving them as a weeknight family dinner or a meal-prepped lunch, they’re sure to impress with their rich, creamy peanut sauce and tender chicken. The versatility of this recipe allows for countless variations to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, these slow cooker peanut chicken dishes demonstrate that sophisticated flavors don’t require complicated techniques – just quality ingredients and a little bit of care in the slow cooking process. Give this recipe a try and experience the joy of a delicious, hassle-free meal that the whole family will love.
