How to Make the Perfect Thai Peanut Chicken Breast
Thai-American · Medium · 30 min · 2 servings
Creamy Thai peanut sauce coats these pan-seared chicken breasts for a rich and satisfying meal that delivers over 47g of protein per serving. The sauce balances salty, sweet, spicy, and tangy notes for a restaurant-quality dish made right at home.
Why this recipe works
This Thai Peanut Chicken Breast recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 30 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 460 calories with 47g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 whole large chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp natural peanut butter
- 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp sriracha sauce
- 1 tbsp coconut milk
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Thai Peanut Sauce
Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, sriracha, and coconut milk in a bowl until a smooth and creamy sauce forms. If the sauce is too thick, add an additional tablespoon of coconut milk to reach a pourable consistency.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a light coating of oil. Season both chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then sear them for 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 3: Add the Peanut Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour the peanut sauce over the cooked chicken in the skillet. Toss the chicken to coat it thoroughly and let the sauce simmer for 2 minutes to heat through and slightly thicken around the chicken.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Transfer the sauced chicken breasts to plates and spoon any remaining sauce from the pan on top. Garnish with crushed peanuts and sliced scallions if desired, and serve alongside steamed vegetables or rice.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- natural peanut butter → almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a peanut-free alternative
- coconut milk → chicken broth for a lighter sauce with fewer calories
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Adding the peanut sauce to an extremely hot pan which causes the peanut butter to seize up, burn, and create a grainy texture
- Using sweetened peanut butter which makes the sauce overly sweet and throws off the balanced savory Thai flavor profile
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 460 calories, 47g protein, 10g carbs, 24g fat, 2g fiber.
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