The creamy, rich flavors of this Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken blend Southeast Asian ingredients into a dish that feels both exotic and homey. With tender chicken thighs, nutty peanut butter, and aromatic garlic and ginger, this recipe is one of those “dump and go” meals that delivers serious flavor with minimal effort.
Perfect for busy weeknights or Sunday batch cooking, this comforting dish pairs beautifully with rice, noodles, or even quinoa for a healthy twist. Garnished with fresh herbs and crunchy peanuts, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all ages.
Full Recipe:
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1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
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½ cup creamy peanut butter
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¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
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¼ cup coconut milk (or chicken broth)
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2 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
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1 tbsp honey
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
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½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
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¼ cup chopped peanuts (for garnish)
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2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
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Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
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Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
Directions:
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, coconut milk, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
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Place chicken in the slow cooker and pour the peanut sauce over the top, coating each piece.
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Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is tender.
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Shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks and stir to coat it in the sauce.
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Serve over hot rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped peanuts, green onions, and cilantro.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high) | Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins (low) or 3 hrs 10 mins (high)
Kcal: ~425 kcal per serving | Servings: 4
Introduction to Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken
Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken is a hearty, flavorful dish that’s become a favorite for busy home cooks who want restaurant-quality taste without spending hours in the kitchen. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With minimal prep and a slow cooker doing most of the work, you get tender, juicy chicken infused with creamy, savory peanut sauce that is both comforting and full of bold, Asian-inspired flavors.
This dish takes traditional Southeast Asian elements—such as coconut milk, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce—and pairs them beautifully with the rich nuttiness of peanut butter. The result is a sauce that’s not only silky and satisfying but also subtly sweet, tangy, and spicy depending on how you like it. Best of all, it’s extremely versatile and adaptable to suit various dietary needs or preferences.
Origins and Inspiration Behind the Dish
Peanut-based sauces are prominent in many cuisines across Southeast Asia, particularly Thai and Indonesian. Satay-style peanut sauces, often served with grilled meats or noodles, are the backbone of this flavor profile. While this slow cooker version isn’t traditional in the strictest sense, it borrows heavily from the bold flavor notes found in Thai peanut sauce: the umami from soy sauce, the richness of coconut milk, the aromatic punch of garlic and ginger, and the unmistakable depth of peanut butter.
What makes this dish especially unique is its Western adaptation through slow cooking—a method that isn’t traditionally used in Thai or Indonesian cuisine. However, the slow cooker brings its own magic to the table by transforming chicken into melt-in-your-mouth morsels that absorb all the surrounding flavors during the long, gentle cooking process.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s a lot to love about Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken, especially for those who appreciate bold flavor with minimal fuss. First and foremost, it’s incredibly convenient. Once you’ve mixed the sauce and set everything in the slow cooker, you can walk away and return to a complete, perfectly cooked meal.
Another major benefit is the flavor depth. Despite the limited number of ingredients, the resulting sauce is complex. It balances salty, sweet, tangy, and spicy in a way that feels comforting yet adventurous.
This recipe is also adaptable. Don’t like spicy food? Leave out the red pepper flakes. Prefer a vegetarian version? Sub in chickpeas or tofu. Want to make it low-carb? Skip the rice and serve it over steamed veggies or cauliflower rice. These kinds of tweaks make it a go-to meal that can suit nearly any dietary preference.
Finally, it’s a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or people who love global cuisine, this dish always gets rave reviews. The creaminess of the sauce and the tenderness of the chicken appeal to both adults and kids.
Pairing and Serving Suggestions
When it comes to serving Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken, your options are as varied as your taste buds. The most common and traditional pairing is with steamed jasmine rice, which soaks up the delicious sauce. However, you can get creative:
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Noodles: Udon, rice noodles, or even soba noodles work wonderfully with this dish. The sauce clings to the noodles, making every bite luxurious.
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Quinoa: For a healthier, protein-packed twist, serve the chicken over quinoa.
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Vegetables: Pair it with steamed broccoli, sautéed snap peas, or stir-fried bell peppers. You can even toss some veggies into the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking.
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Fresh Herbs: Garnish with fresh cilantro or Thai basil to bring out the bright, herbaceous notes that contrast nicely with the rich peanut sauce.
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Crunchy Toppings: A sprinkle of chopped peanuts or sesame seeds adds texture and enhances the nutty flavor.
If you’re serving this at a gathering or potluck, consider offering a “build-your-own bowl” bar with rice, noodles, garnishes, and optional veggies so everyone can create their perfect plate.
Nutritional Benefits and Dietary Flexibility
This dish isn’t just tasty—it can also be a nutritious part of your meal rotation. Using chicken thighs ensures a good balance of protein and fat, which keeps you full and satisfied. Peanut butter, while calorie-dense, is also rich in healthy fats and plant-based protein. When used in moderation and paired with other whole-food ingredients, it’s an excellent addition to a balanced meal.
Coconut milk provides healthy saturated fats and lends a creamy consistency without the need for dairy. Ginger and garlic not only add a punch of flavor but are also known for their immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.
For those who are following specific diets:
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Gluten-Free: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce to make the dish gluten-free.
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Low Carb/Keto: Skip the rice and serve it with cauliflower rice or steamed greens.
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Vegetarian/Vegan: Swap the chicken for tofu, tempeh, or even mushrooms and chickpeas.
The recipe can be easily modified to fit different needs, making it ideal for family dinners where everyone has different preferences.
Tips for the Perfect Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken
While the recipe is forgiving, a few pro tips can elevate your final dish:
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Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for maximum tenderness and flavor. Breasts can become dry more quickly and may need less cooking time.
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Taste the sauce before adding it to the slow cooker. This is your chance to adjust saltiness, sweetness, or spice before it cooks down.
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Don’t skip the garnishes. A sprinkle of green onions, peanuts, and cilantro adds freshness, crunch, and visual appeal.
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Add veggies in the last hour if you’re cooking them in the slow cooker. This prevents them from turning mushy.
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If the sauce seems too thin, remove the lid for the last 15-20 minutes of cooking to help it thicken, or add a cornstarch slurry.
Storing and Reheating
This dish stores and reheats beautifully, making it an excellent option for meal prep. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and keep it creamy.
If you want to freeze it, let it cool completely and store in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. It will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating on the stove or in the microwave.
What Makes It a Must-Try Dish
What truly sets Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken apart is its ability to marry simplicity with complexity. It requires very little hands-on time, yet the end result tastes like something you’d order at a high-end Thai or fusion restaurant.
It’s also a dish that can grow with you. As you make it more often, you can play with flavors—adding a touch of fish sauce for umami, squeezing in extra lime juice for brightness, or tossing in seasonal vegetables to make it feel new every time.
And let’s not forget how well it performs for entertaining. It’s budget-friendly, can be made ahead of time, and is easily doubled or tripled for larger groups.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken is more than just a weeknight dinner—it’s a flavorful, comforting, and versatile dish that brings global flavor to your kitchen with very little effort. Whether you’re new to slow cooking or looking for something bold to add to your regular rotation, this recipe checks all the boxes: easy, delicious, adaptable, and satisfying.
Perfect for feeding your family, impressing guests, or batch cooking for the week, it’s a meal that delivers on every level. Once you try it, don’t be surprised if it becomes a staple in your home cooking arsenal. With its creamy sauce, tender chicken, and bold flavors, Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken is a true winner on any table.