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Bowl of peanut butter chicken with stir-fried vegetables served over white rice

Peanut Butter Chicken

Crispy pan-fried chicken smothered in a savory-sweet peanut sauce with stir-fried broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper. Served over white rice and ready in under an hour.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian

Ingredients
  

  • 0.5 cup creamy peanut butter natural-style with no added sugar recommended
  • 0.75 cup chicken broth
  • 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tsp hot sauce Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Sauce recommended
  • 2 tbsp peanut oil for stir-frying vegetables
  • 2.5 cup broccoli florets
  • 0.75 cup baby carrots julienned
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced
  • 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breast or thighs cut into 2-inch pieces, patted completely dry
  • 0.25 tsp white pepper
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp paprika
  • 0.5 cup cornstarch for coating the chicken
  • 0.33 cup peanut oil for frying the chicken
  • 3 cup cooked white rice for serving
  • sliced green onions to garnish
  • chopped peanuts to garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Tongs or spatula
  • Paper towels

Method
 

  1. Whisk together the peanut butter, chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and hot sauce in a medium bowl until smooth. Set aside.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli and julienned carrots. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 6 minutes until the broccoli turns bright green and is just beginning to turn tender. Add the sliced red bell pepper and cook for 1 to 2 more minutes. Remove vegetables and set aside.
  3. Cut the chicken into 2-inch pieces and pat completely dry with paper towels. Season with white pepper, salt, and paprika. Add the cornstarch and toss until each piece is evenly coated.
  4. Heat 1/3 cup peanut oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches, leaving space between each piece. Flip once the bottom is light golden brown and crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Do not crowd the pan. Set cooked batches aside.
  5. Wipe excess oil from the skillet with a paper towel held with tongs. Return all the cooked chicken to the pan. Whisk the peanut sauce to recombine, then pour it over the chicken. Toss to coat. Reduce heat to medium and let the sauce heat through and thicken naturally, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add a splash of water if the sauce gets too thick.
  6. Add the stir-fried vegetables back to the skillet or plate on the side. Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped peanuts. Serve hot over white rice or noodles.

Notes

Pat chicken completely dry before coating for the best crispy results. Fry in batches to avoid crowding the pan. The cornstarch on the chicken naturally thickens the sauce as it heats. Store chicken and rice separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or in a covered dish at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Optional additions: bean sprouts, water chestnuts, celery, sesame seeds, or red pepper flakes.