Easy Thai Peanut Chicken Recipe

his Easy Thai Peanut Chicken is a flavorful, restaurant style dish made right at home in under 30 minutes. Juicy chicken is coated in a creamy, savory sweet peanut sauce, infused with ginger, garlic, and soy sauce, then finished with lime and cilantro for freshness.

It’s a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both comforting and exciting. Serve it over rice, noodles, or with steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

If you love quick, flavorful dinners that taste like takeout, this Thai Peanut Chicken recipe is exactly what you need.

What Is Easy Thai Peanut Chicken?

Thai Peanut Chicken is a dish inspired by Thai cuisine, featuring chicken pieces tossed in a rich, creamy peanut sauce made with peanut butter, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a hint of lime. It combines sweet, salty, savory, and slightly spicy flavors in every bite.

Compared to other chicken recipes:

• It’s ready in 30 minutes
• Uses a simple, pantry friendly peanut sauce
• Packed with flavor without heavy cream or coconut milk
• Works as a main dish over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps

This recipe brings the taste of Thai takeout home quickly and easily.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy, ready in 30 minutes
• Rich, creamy peanut sauce without heavy cream
• Balanced flavors: sweet, salty, tangy, and slightly spicy
• Kid-friendly but easy to spice up
• Perfect for meal prep or last-minute dinners

If you love easy dinners like Creamy Garlic Sauce Baby Potatoes or Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili, this recipe belongs in your regular rotation.

How This Recipe Works

• Chicken is cooked until golden, keeping it juicy
• Peanut sauce is made with pantry staples and cooks in minutes
• Lime juice adds acidity to balance the richness
• Soy sauce adds depth and saltiness
• Optional sriracha adds a gentle kick

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or sesame oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Thai Peanut Sauce

• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lime juice
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1–2 teaspoons sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional for spice)
• ¼–½ cup water (to thin sauce as needed)

Optional Toppings

• Chopped peanuts
• Fresh cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Green onions
• Sesame seeds

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Chicken: Thighs are juicier, breasts are leaner.
• Peanut Butter: Creamy works best; natural is fine if you adjust water.
• Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium if preferred.
• Honey: Maple syrup or agave works as a substitute.
• Sriracha: Adjust spice level or omit for kids.
• Rice Vinegar: Lemon or lime juice works as a substitute.

How to Make Easy Thai Peanut Chicken

Total time: 25–30 minutes

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

• Heat olive or sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper.
• Cook diced chicken 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Peanut Sauce

• In the same skillet, add peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and sriracha.
• Stir over medium heat until smooth and slightly thickened.
• Add water 2 tablespoons at a time to reach desired consistency.

Step 3: Combine Chicken and Sauce

• Return cooked chicken to the skillet.
• Toss in the peanut sauce until fully coated.
• Cook 2–3 minutes more to heat through and let flavors meld.

Step 4: Serve

• Serve over steamed rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice.
• Garnish with chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, green onions, and a squeeze of lime.

Tips for the Best Thai Peanut Chicken

• Don’t overcook chicken keep it juicy
• Adjust water in sauce for thicker or thinner consistency
• Use fresh ginger for bright, authentic flavor
• Toast peanuts lightly for extra crunch
• Serve immediately for best texture

Flavor Variations

Spicy Thai Peanut Chicken

• Increase sriracha or add red pepper flakes for heat.

Vegetable Packed

• Add broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas while tossing in sauce.

Vegan Option

• Substitute chicken with tofu or tempeh.
• Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.

Noodles Instead of Rice

• Toss sauce with cooked rice noodles or soba noodles.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

Make Ahead

• Sauce can be made 1 day in advance and stored in fridge.
• Cook chicken separately and combine when ready.

Storage

• Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat gently in skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water to loosen sauce.

Freezing

• Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months.
• Thaw and reheat before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve over jasmine rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice
• Pair with steamed or roasted vegetables
• Wrap in lettuce leaves for low carb option
• Garnish with peanuts, cilantro, and lime for presentation

This dish works well for quick dinners, meal prep, or easy family-friendly meals.

Nutritional Notes (Approximate per serving, serves 4)

• Calories: 420–450
• Protein: 28–30g
• Carbohydrates: 20–25g
• Fat: 22–24g

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcooking chicken — makes it dry
• Adding water too early — sauce can become too thin
• Skipping lime or vinegar — sauce may taste flat
• Overheating peanut butter — can separate

FAQs About Easy Thai Peanut Chicken

Can I use pre cooked chicken?
Yes, just toss in sauce and heat through.

Can I make it spicier?
Yes, increase sriracha or add chili garlic sauce.

Can this be meal prepped?
Absolutely, store in airtight containers and reheat gently.

Can I use almond or cashew butter instead of peanut?
Yes, but the flavor will be slightly different.

Conclusion

This Easy Thai Peanut Chicken is rich, creamy, and full of bold, balanced flavors. Sweet, salty, tangy, and slightly spicy, it’s perfect for quick weeknight dinners, meal prep, or casual weeknight indulgence.

If you love easy dinners like Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole or One Pan Chicken Burrito Bowl , this recipe belongs in your regular rotation.
Save this Easy Thai Peanut Chicken recipe so you always have a 30 minute, family friendly, restaurant style dinner ready to go!