Peanut Butter Chicken

Name: Peanut Butter Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast (fat trimmed off and cut into bite sized pieces); 3 tbsp corn starch (You can also use almond flour in place of corn starch. ); ¼ cup natural peanut butter (creamy or chunky, whatever your preference may be); ¼ cup Hoisin sauce; 3 tbsp soy sauce (can also use coconut aminos as a healthy alternative. ); 1 tbsp sesame oil; 1 clove minced garlic; ½ cup water; 2 tbsp olive oil

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Are you ready for a mouthwatering dish that’s quick, satisfying, and just a little bit unexpected? Say hello to Peanut Butter Chicken—a creamy, savory, slightly sweet recipe that brings the bold flavors of your favorite takeout meal right into your kitchen in under 30 minutes. Best of all? It’s family-friendly, high in protein, and packed with good-for-you ingredients.

Peanut butter chicken in a white bowl with white rice and topped with herbs.

Let me just tell you how amazingly delicious this peanut butter sauce is. Most importantly, this is the best Peanut Butter Chicken you'll ever have. I have grilled and baked the chicken before, and either way, it's still super tasty.

Whether you're looking for an exciting way to switch up your chicken dinner routine or a recipe that’s perfect for meal prep, this peanut butter chicken will hit the spot.

If you're on the hunt for more easy family-friendly chicken dinners, you need to try my Air-Fryer Chicken Cutlets, and my Crockpot BBQ Chicken recipe, which is a fan favorite.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Chicken
Directions for peanut butter chicken
Substitutions and Variations
Tips and FAQ's
More yummy healthy chicken dishes you MUST try

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Chicken

The ingredients needed to make this recipe with labels included.

chicken breast - boneless, skinless, fat trimmed off, and chicken chopped into bite-sized pieces.
cornstarch - this ingredient is used as a thickening agent for your sauce, giving that perfect texture.
natural peanut butter - either chunky or creamy, whatever your preference may be.
hoisin sauce - this adds a salty and tangy taste to the sauce.
soy sauce - this adds a salty savory and umami taste.
sesame oil - using sesame oil in your sauce adds a significant amount of flavor to the sauce.
minced garlic - this helps elevate the flavor of the sauce by introducing a savory, pungent depth that complements the peanut butter's natural sweetness.
olive oil - this is added to the sauce to help thin it out and add a subtle, nutty taste.

Directions for peanut butter chicken

Step-by-step directions for making peanut butter chicken.

Step 1 - In a small bowl, add the chicken and cornstarch and toss until the chicken is coated.

Step 2 - In a small separate bowl, mix peanut butter, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and water. Mix well to combine.

Steps one and two of the cooking process to make this recipe.

Step 3 - Heat a non-stick skillet to medium and pour in olive oil. Once heated, add the chicken and cook until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes.

Step 4 - Pour in the sauce and mix with the chicken until it is fully coated and the sauce is heated through, about 5 minutes.

Steps three and four of the cooking process to make this recipe.

Step 5 - Top with sesame seeds and fresh scallions or chives before serving. Serve over your favorite rice or veggies.

Substitutions and Variations

Cornstarch - almond flour can be substituted as a 1:1 ratio. It provides the same assistance in bulking up the sauce.

Soy Sauce - You can substitute coconut aminos with soy sauce as a healthy alternative.

Tips and FAQ's

What does peanut butter chicken taste like?

Peanut butter chicken has a rich, savory flavor with a hint of sweetness and nuttiness from the peanut butter. It’s creamy, comforting, and pairs well with rice or noodles.

Can I use a different nut butter or make it nut-free?

Yes! While peanut butter gives this dish its signature flavor, you can substitute it with almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.

Is peanut butter chicken considered healthy?

Peanut butter chicken can be part of a healthy, balanced meal. Peanut butter is a good source of protein and healthy fats, and when paired with lean chicken and veggies, it offers a satisfying, nutrient-dense dish.

Peanut butter chicken in a white bowl with white rice.

More yummy healthy chicken dishes you MUST try

If you give this dish a try don't forget to rate the recipe below! Always love hearing what you all think. You can also Stay in touch with me through social media on @Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my healthy recipes!

The author of the recipe with a little blonde girl making muffins.

Jillian is the creator of Jillian's Healthful Eats. She is the one who cooks all the meals, develops all the recipes, takes all the photographs, and washes all the dishes! She is a very busy wife and mother of 4 who enjoys cooking with her children and instilling in them her love for health and nutrition!