Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken (Print Page)

Tender chicken in rich, creamy peanut sauce with vegetables. Minimal prep for maximum comfort.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (approximately 1.3 pounds)
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 yellow onion, sliced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
08 - 1 medium carrot, sliced

→ Peanut Sauce

09 - 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
10 - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
11 - 1/4 cup chicken broth
12 - 2 tablespoons honey
13 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
14 - 1 tablespoon lime juice plus additional for serving
15 - 1 tablespoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional)
16 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil

→ Garnishes

17 - 2 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts
18 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
19 - Lime wedges
20 - Steamed jasmine rice for serving (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Evenly coat chicken thighs with salt and black pepper on all sides.
02 - Arrange sliced bell pepper, onion, carrot, garlic, and ginger in an even layer at the bottom of the slow cooker. Place seasoned chicken thighs directly on top of the vegetable bed.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, chicken broth, honey, rice vinegar, lime juice, sriracha if using, and sesame oil until completely smooth and well combined.
04 - Pour the prepared peanut sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring all pieces are coated.
05 - Cover and cook on low setting for 5 hours until chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
06 - Remove cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred using two forks or cut into large chunks. Stir the sauce thoroughly in the slow cooker, then return the shredded chicken and mix well to coat evenly.
07 - Portion hot chicken and sauce over steamed jasmine rice if desired. Top generously with chopped roasted peanuts, fresh cilantro, and extra lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce develops this incredible depth you cannot get from stovetop cooking alone
  • It is one of those meals where the leftovers taste even better the next day
  • You get huge flavor payoff for basically zero hands-on time
02 -
  • The sauce will look separated when you first pour it in, but stirring it thoroughly after cooking brings it back together beautifully
  • Do not be tempted to lift the lid during cooking—every time you do, you add about 20 minutes to the cook time
03 -
  • Line your slow cooker with a parchment paper sling for incredibly easy cleanup
  • Warm your peanut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds before whisking the sauce—it combines so much more easily

Return