Chicken with Peanut Butter: A Different and Savory Recipe
Chicken and peanut butter aren’t things that usually come to mind when making dinner tonight, but together, this odd couple makes an impressively tasty whole. If you feel like you’ve had the same old weeknight meals or a dish to impress your guests because it’s really out of the ordinary but tastes so good, then you might want to make it with peanut butter. The recipe has come under different cuisines, especially in African Thai, and Caribbean cuisine, where peanut-based sauces top or accompany meat.
This article will outline how to make a tasty chicken with peanut butter recipe. This often brings out the richness of peanut butter, yet leaves the full of flavor. Questions answered to ensure that your meal turns out perfect each time is also included.
Chicken with Peanut Butter Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 cup natural peanut butter (smooth or chunky, to taste)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (low-sodium is best)
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional, to taste with a little sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (or smoked paprika for smokiness)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (optional, to add brightness)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, to garnish)
Start by seasoning your breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and paprika. Because you’re able to have the skin on your thighs, you could leave it on for that extra flavor, although the boneless, skinless breasts work better for this recipe because they cook so fast and absorb the peanut sauce so well.
Cook the Chicken:
Add the vegetable oil to a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until it is golden brown and fully cooked inside (should reach 165°F/74°C). Remove the from the skillet and let it rest.
Preparation of Peanut Butter Sauce:
Then throw in the chopped onion and sauté till soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and grated ginger and cook for the next 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly so as not to burn.
Pour in soy sauce, peanut butter, broth, honey, if using, cumin, and coriander. Stir together until a smooth paste forms all the sauce is smooth and the peanut butter is fully incorporated. Sauce should be let to simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes, to really allow it to marry the flavors together.
Marinate Chicken with Sauce:
Once the peanut sauce has reached the sauce’s ideal thickness, return the cooked to the skillet and toss to coat the chicken with the peanut butter sauce. Cook another 3-4 minutes or until warmed through and coated with the sauce. If the sauce gets too thick, you can thin it with a little more broth.
Serve as desired.
Finish with a little squeeze of fresh lime juice over the chicken for some acidity. Garnish with chopped cilantro and sesame seeds, if you’re feeling fancy. I like serving this with a bit of steamed rice and couscous or vegetables to sop up the rich sauce.
Why Peanut Butter and Chicken Should Be Friends:
Peanut butter really does boast a rich, creamy, slightly sweet flavor, so it’s great to add to virtually any dish to add savory flair to the dish. Here, the peanut butter will complement the chicken by adding a depth of complexity to that sauce. The nuttiness that balances that savory is the slightly sweet flavor from the peanut butter, while the spices such as cumin and coriander kick that flavor to aromatic skies.
- Also, the creamy peanut butter texture provides the sauce with an amazing velvety and luxurious feel chicken is well coated and each bite is enhanced.
- With soy sauce and broth, the peanut butter melts into the smoothness of just the right amount of umami and sweetness in a sauce.
Nutritional Benefits of Peanut Butter:
Both chicken and peanut butter have nutritional benefits, so this recipe is not only tasty but also satisfying and healthy in moderation. Here’s a summary of the main nutrients:
- Chicken: Chicken is a very good source of lean protein, which helps support muscle growth, tissue repair, and immune function. It also has B vitamins, particularly niacin, and vitamin B6, which are important for turning food into energy.
- Peanut Butter: This gives a healthy dose of monounsaturated fats, which are heart-friendly. It’s also rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Of course, it is pretty calorie-dense, so beware with portions if watching caloric intake.
FAQs About Peanut Butter:
1. Can I use other nut butter besides peanut butter?
You can substitute other nut butter, like almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter in this recipe. You will find the flavor and texture slightly different, but all of these will yield a creamy base for the sauce. Cashew butter is quite delicate, while almond butter is earthier.
2. Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe, as written, isn’t necessarily spicy because it works with cumin and coriander for the heat, but if you like spicy food, just add a spoonful of chili flakes, a splash of sriracha sauce, or a diced jalapeño when sautéing your garlic and onion. Tailor to your desired level of heat.
3. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep this dish ahead. The chicken can be cooked, and the sauce prepared separately and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When it is time to serve, reheat the sauce in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth if the sauce thickens too much.
4. What to serve with peanut butter?
This dish goes perfectly well with several different forms of side dishes. Some of the most common include:
- Steamed rice: A creamy sauce is terrific served over fluffy white or brown rice.
- Couscous: Light and quick-cooking, this side is another great accompaniment to the rich peanut butter sauce.
- Vegetables: Roasted or sautéed broccoli, zucchini, or green beans provide a nice contrast to the richness of the peanut butter sauce.
- Noodles: Serve with a little rice noodles or soba noodles, and the dish is slightly more Asian-inspired.
5. Can I make this a gluten-free recipe?
Of course, this recipe can easily be made gluten-free by substituting tamari for soy sauce. Tamari happens to be a gluten-free soy sauce variation that doesn’t sacrifice any flavor, so just keep an eye on any other ingredients you may add, such as broth or pre-prepared condiments to make sure those are gluten-free too.
Conclusion:
Chicken with peanut butter is an unlikely yet wonderful combination that, for a dish without oven space, brings together savory, nutty, and slightly sweet elements within a rich and comforting creamy sauce. It is extremely versatile and with one’s spices and additions-heat or not; nut butter of choice it perfect for any evening from a weeknight dinner to a special occasion. Be it for yourself or your family, this and peanut butter dish would just be a favorite of everyone in the house.