This Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken comes together in about 30 minutes and uses a quick frying method for a weeknight dinner that your family will love!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s dive into what you’ll need for this delicious dish! Not only are these ingredients simple and accessible, but you’ll likely find a lot of them already in your kitchen.
For the Chicken
- 1 lb chicken thighs Can substitute with chicken breasts or other proteins.
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil For frying; choose canola or grapeseed oil.
For the Marinade
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter Use creamy for best texture.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce Adds umami flavor.
- 1/4 cup honey Can be replaced with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- 2 pinches salt To taste.
- 2 pinches black pepper To taste.
For the Breading
- 2 eggs Beaten.
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs For extra crunch.
- 1 pinch salt For seasoning.
- 1 pinch black pepper For seasoning.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Here’s how to whip up this mouthwatering Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken in no time at all. Ready? Let’s go!
Preheat the Oil
In a large frying pan, you’ll want to heat about 1/4 inch of oil over medium-high heat. You can usually tell it’s ready when the oil is shimmering but not smoking—about 5 minutes.Make the Marinade
In a medium-sized bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, and 1/4 cup of honey. Add a couple pinches of salt and pepper to taste, and stir until everything is well combined and looks smooth and delicious.Marinate the Chicken
Take your chicken thighs and coat them in the marinade. For the best flavor, let this marinate for at least 30 minutes, but if you’re short on time, even 10 minutes will do the trick.Set Up Your Breading Station
While the chicken marinates, set up a simple breading station. In one bowl, beat 2 eggs. In another bowl, place about 1 cup of breadcrumbs (I love using panko for that extra crunch!) along with a pinch of salt and some black pepper.Bread the Chicken
After marinating, take each chicken thigh and dip it into the egg, making sure to coat it evenly. Then, press it into the breadcrumbs until fully covered—this step is super satisfying!Fry the Chicken
Carefully place the chicken thighs in the hot oil, frying them for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until they’re golden brown and cooked through (that means no pink in the middle!). You might want to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.Drain and Serve
Once the chicken is crispy and golden, remove it from the oil and let it drain on paper towels.
And there you have it! Crispy, peanut buttery goodness, ready to be devoured!
If you loved this Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken, be sure to check out my delicious banana peanut butter chia smoothie!
What Makes This Recipe Special
Quick & Easy
This meal comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you just want to whip up something tasty.
Minimal Cleanup Required
Since everything is done in one pot and a bowl for the marinade, that means less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your meal!
Family-Friendly
The whole family will love it! Seriously, who can resist that crispy exterior and delicious peanut flavor? I bet even the pickiest eaters will ask for seconds.
Customizable
This recipe is a dream because you can adjust it however you like. Got some veggies you need to use up? Toss ’em in while frying! Want to switch proteins? Go ahead—chicken, tofu, shrimp—whatever floats your boat!
Comfort Food Galore
With tons of flavor and a satisfying crunch, this Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken is like a warm hug on a plate. I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty amazing to me.
Serving and Storage Tips
What to Serve With This
I like to serve it with steamed rice or noodles to soak up that delicious sauce. Add a side of stir-fried vegetables or a fresh salad to round out the meal. And definitely don’t forget the extra peanut sauce for drizzling!
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
If you happen to have any leftovers (though I doubt it!), you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating Instructions
For the best reheating method, pop it back in a pan on medium heat for a few minutes, adding a splash of water if needed to keep it from drying out. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but it won’t be as crispy.
Is It Freezer Friendly?
Yes! You can freeze the cooked Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken for up to 2 months. Just make sure to store it in a well-sealed container. When ready to eat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Enjoy diving into this delightful dish—trust me, it’s going to become a favorite in your house just like it is in mine!
Happy cooking! And follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat 1/4 inch of oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until shimmering.
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Coat chicken thighs in marinade, letting them marinate for at least 10 minutes (or up to 30).
- Set up a breading station with beaten eggs in one bowl and panko breadcrumbs mixed with salt and pepper in another.
- Dip marinated chicken thighs into egg, then into breadcrumbs, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Fry chicken thighs in hot oil for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove fried chicken and let drain on paper towels.