A busy night doesn’t mean you have to compromise on flavor. This Thai Chicken delivers a mix of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors for an unforgettable meal in 35 minutes!
Everyone will fall in love with this Thai Chicken recipe! Flavorful chicken thighs are cooked in a homemade sweet and savory Thai sauce that will make your mouth water. It is then topped with crunchy peanuts and fresh cilantro to create a wholesome dinner in only 35 minutes!
I like to serve this Thai Peanut Chicken over rice to make a wholesome meal. For rice recipes you have to check out my Instant Pot Coconut Rice, Cilantro Lime Rice, or Instant Pot Brown Rice.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Chicken
- Ideal for weeknights when you need a quick yet flavorful meal.
- Flexible to serve with rice, noodles, or veggies.
- This recipe has 8 servings so it is great for meal prep or leftovers the next day.
Recipe Ingredients
Sweet Chili Sauce – This sauce brings a blend of sweetness and gentle heat, forming the base of the Thai sauce. You can find it in the Asian section of most grocery stores.
Ginger – Fresh ginger provides a bright flavor, and grating it helps release its juices.
Peanut Butter – Adds a creamy, nutty base to the sauce. Use creamy peanut butter for best results.
For a full list of ingredients and amounts, see the recipe card below.
Variations
Spicy Thai Chicken – To increase the spice level in this dish, try topping with Thai chilies, sprinkling red chili flakes or red pepper flakes, incorporating Thai red curry paste into the sauce, or adding a drizzle of sriracha sauce before serving.
Garnish – Fresh cilantro, chopped green onions, lime wedges, toasted sesame seeds, or crushed peanuts add flavor and a finishing touch to this dish.
How to Make Thai Chicken
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
Step 2: To prepare the Thai sauce, combine the chili sauce, soy sauce, garlic, peanut butter, ginger, and lime juice in a medium bowl. Mix together, then set aside.
Step 3: Pat the chicken dry using a paper towel. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt the butter. Add the chicken and sear it for about 3-4 minutes on each side.
Step 4: Pour the Thai sauce over the chicken and toss until evenly coated.
Step 5: Place the chicken and sauce into a baking dish and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
Step 6: Turn on the broiler and broil the dish for a few extra minutes.
Step 7: Remove from the oven and top the dish with chopped peanuts and cilantro.
Expert Tips
Add a Cornstarch Slurry – If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and add it to the sauce before pouring over the chicken.
Use High-Heat Oil for Searing – Choose an oil like avocado or canola for searing, as they can handle high heat better than butter alone, helping achieve a perfect, golden-brown crust.
FAQs
Jasmine rice is ideal, but coconut rice, fried rice, or rice noodles work too. Add freshness with a cucumber or Thai salad. For extra Thai-inspired sides, try Thai chili or homemade Pad Thai!
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts can be used, though they may require a slightly shorter cooking time.
Storage Information
To STORE, place Thai Peanut Chicken leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. To FREEZE, store chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 4 months.
REHEAT in an oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, on the stovetop over medium heat until hot, or in the microwave. Avoid overcooking to keep the chicken tender.
More Mouthwatering Chicken Dishes
Thai Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 8 bone-in chicken thighs
Thai Sauce
- 1/2 c sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 c reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 tbsp freshly grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 c chopped fresh cilantro - to taste
- 1/4 c chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
- To prepare the Thai sauce, combine the chili sauce, soy sauce, garlic, peanut butter, ginger, and lime juice in a medium bowl. Mix together, then set aside.
- Pat the chicken dry using a paper towel. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt the butter. Add the chicken and sear it for about 3-4 minutes on each side.
- Pour the Thai sauce over the chicken and toss until evenly coated.
- Place the chicken and sauce into a baking dish and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
- Turn on the broiler and broil the dish for a few extra minutes.
- Remove from the oven and top the dish with chopped peanuts and cilantro.
Definitely adding this to our regular dinner lineup!
Loved the flavor on this simple dinner! My kids actually ate it too! We served it over white rice!
Yay! It’s always a win when the kiddos enjoy it too, right? 🙂
So flavorful and delicious! I served it over rice with zucchini on the side. The whole family loved it! I think I might try it next time with chicken breasts to see how that turns out.
It would be yummy with the chicken breasts too! So glad you enjoyed it!
Love thai flavors!! This chicken is super tasty! We have tried it with rice & it made a nice, hearty meal!