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Crockpot Peanut Chicken - Creamy, Cozy, and Weeknight-Friendly

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken: 2 to 2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
  • Peanut butter: 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (natural or conventional)
  • Coconut milk: 1 can (13.5–14 oz) full-fat coconut milk
  • Soy sauce: 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • Brown sugar or honey: 2–3 tablespoons, to taste
  • Rice vinegar: 1 tablespoon (or lime juice, plus more to finish)
  • Garlic: 3–4 cloves, minced
  • Ginger: 1 tablespoon fresh grated (or 1 teaspoon ground)
  • Tomato paste: 1 tablespoon (optional, for depth)
  • Chili-garlic sauce or sriracha: 1–2 teaspoons, to taste
  • Chicken broth or water: 1/3 cup, as needed to thin
  • Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon (optional, for thickening at the end)
  • Veggies (optional but great): 1 red bell pepper (sliced), 1 cup snap peas or green beans, 1 small onion (sliced)
  • To finish: Juice of 1 lime, chopped cilantro, chopped roasted peanuts
  • To serve: Cooked rice or rice noodles

Method
 

  1. Whisk the sauce: In a bowl, whisk peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, tomato paste, and chili-garlic sauce until smooth. Add a splash of broth if it’s too thick to pour.
  2. Layer the slow cooker: Place chicken in the crockpot. Add optional veggies on top or around the chicken. Pour the sauce over everything and gently toss to coat.
  3. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on Low for 4–5 hours or on High for 2.5–3 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shreds or slices.
  4. Shred or slice: Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks or slice into chunks. Return to the sauce and stir to coat.
  5. Adjust consistency: If the sauce is too thin, whisk cornstarch with a tablespoon of water, add to the crockpot, and cook on High for 10–15 minutes. If too thick, loosen with a bit of warm broth.
  6. Brighten it up: Stir in lime juice. Taste and adjust salt, sweetness, and heat.
  7. Serve: Spoon over rice or noodles. Top with cilantro and chopped peanuts for crunch.