Thai Peanut Chicken 🥜🐔🍚
Juicy marinated chicken, grilled or broiled to perfection, smothered in creamy peanut sauce with coconut, lime, and a gentle kick of heat.
If you’re looking for a dish that’s creamy, spicy, tangy, and totally satisfying, Thai Peanut Chicken delivers on every level. This recipe features tender chicken thighs marinated in a homemade peanut sauce made with creamy peanut butter, coconut milk, lime, garlic, and spices. It’s the kind of recipe that works beautifully on the grill, under the broiler, or even cooked stovetop in a skillet.
Serve it over fluffy rice, drizzle on extra sauce, and top with peanuts, herbs, and a squeeze of lime—and you’ve got a restaurant-worthy dish right at home.
Why I Love This Recipe
This recipe brings together sweet, salty, tangy, and umami flavors into one craveable dish. The peanut sauce doubles as a marinade and finishing drizzle, and the options for how you serve it (rice, noodles, lettuce wraps, or even on skewers) make it incredibly versatile.
If you love bold dishes like Cajun chicken sausage gumbo or layered meals like Mexican chicken and rice casserole, this Thai chicken recipe brings that same depth with an Asian twist.
Ingredients
For the Peanut Sauce:
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup full-fat canned coconut milk
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or fish sauce
- 1½ tbsp dark brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
Optional for Serving:
- Cooked white or brown rice
- Reserved peanut sauce (1 cup)
- Lime wedges
- Chopped peanuts
- Chopped green onions
- Fresh chopped cilantro
Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Peanut Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, coconut milk, lime juice, soy/fish sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes until smooth and creamy.
Reserve 1 cup of sauce for serving later.
2️⃣ Marinate the Chicken
Place the chicken pieces in a bowl or baking dish.
Pour the remaining sauce over the chicken and toss to coat.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours for deeper flavor.
3️⃣ Cook the Chicken
Grill Method:
Preheat grill to 375–450°F. Lightly oil the grates.
Thread chicken onto soaked skewers and grill for 6–7 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through (internal temp 160°F).
Broil Method:
Preheat broiler and line a baking sheet with foil.
Place chicken on a wire rack and broil for 6 minutes, flipping halfway, until browned and cooked through.
4️⃣ Rest & Serve
Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve over rice or noodles, drizzle with reserved peanut sauce, and garnish with lime wedges, peanuts, green onions, and cilantro.
Tips for Success
✔️ Soak skewers for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
✔️ Use chicken thighs for juicy, flavorful bites.
✔️ Thin the sauce with warm water if it thickens in the fridge.
✔️ Double the sauce if you love extra to drizzle on rice or veggies!
Serving Suggestions
Pair this dish with:
- Fluffy jasmine or brown rice
- A side of steamed broccoli or snap peas
- A cooling drink like blueberry lemonade
- Sheet pan quesadillas for a fun global fusion spread
Or serve leftovers in lettuce wraps for a light, refreshing twist!
Storage & Leftovers
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in meal prep containers with rice and sauce for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Gently reheat in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If bold, saucy chicken dishes are your thing, check these out:
- This Cajun Chicken Sausage Gumbo Is My Favorite Bowl of Southern Comfort
- This Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole Is My Favorite One-Pan Dinner That’s Always a Hit
- These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way to Feed a Crowd Fast
- These Chicken Enchiladas Are My Go-To for Cozy, Crowd-Pleasing Dinners
- This Dorito Casserole Is My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Shortcut
Final Thoughts
This Thai Peanut Chicken recipe is everything: creamy, spicy, and absolutely packed with flavor. Whether you grill it, broil it, or throw it in a skillet, it’s a reliable way to impress your guests—or just treat yourself to a next-level weeknight meal.
Give it a try, and let me know your favorite way to serve it! 🥜🔥🍗
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