Name: Peanut Chicken Stir Fry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1/2 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound (454g) boneless, skinless chicken (2-3 breasts or 6-8 thighs), sliced into 1/4” strips; 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, melted; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 2 tablespoons lime juice (juice of 1 lime); 3 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon honey; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger; 1/4-1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes; 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips; 3 medium carrots, sliced into matchsticks; 1 cup snap peas; roasted peanuts; cilantro, chopped; green onions, sliced; hot, cooked rice

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A quick and easy weeknight meal, this peanut chicken stir fry is filled with veggies and an amazing homemade peanut sauce – plus it’s ready in 30 minutes!

I have tried many, many different recipes for peanut sauce over the last few years. I knew it could be good, amazing even, but for some reason couldn’t find that perfect recipe. They were always too sweet, too thick, too peanut buttery – too something.

But this recipe may finally be it. Perfectly peanut buttery, not too sweet peanut sauce that is hard to stop eating.

We loved this easy, 30 minute peanut chicken stir fry. Everyone in the family gobbled it up in no time at all – even the kids that typically don’t like saucy stir fry meals.

Although I do think that I’m wearing them down – there weren’t even any complaints when this chicken and vegetable smothered in sauce dish appeared on the dinner table. Granted, there was peanut butter involved – but they didn’t know that just for looking.

Nice when that happens.

I think this particular meal is going to actually be requested by said kids though, because it was absolutely delicious. There may even have been a slight battle over who got the (very small amount of) leftovers for lunch the next day. I totally won.

I should probably make this tasty peanut chicken stir fry again soon!

Only 30 minutes and you can have this on the table for dinner! Plus, it’s 30 Minute Thursday again, so scroll down to below the recipe for more tasty 30 minute meals from my blogging friends!

Tips for perfect Peanut Chicken Stir Fry:

make sure to start your rice (or quinoa) first so it’s ready when the stir fry is done – nothing more annoying than having dinner ready and realizing you forgot the rice to go with it!
I have this pan that I use for every stir fry or one pot meal that I make – it has a lid, is amazingly non-stick and can go in the oven (not sponsored, just love it!)
the amount of red pepper flakes called for in the recipe is a range depending on if you like spicy food or not – I use 1/4 teaspoon because my kids hate any spice, but my husband and I add more to our own servings – use 1/2 teaspoon if you want a bit more heat (it still won’t be overly spicy)
here are a few more tasty stir fry style recipes for you: Teriyaki Chicken Stir-fry, Easy Beef and Broccoli, and 30 Minute Pad Thai

Yield: serves 4

Peanut Chicken Stir Fry

A quick and easy weeknight meal, this peanut chicken stir fry is filled with veggies and an amazing homemade peanut sauce - plus it's ready in 30 minutes!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound (454g) boneless, skinless chicken (2-3 breasts or 6-8 thighs), sliced into 1/4” strips
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, melted
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons lime juice (juice of 1 lime)
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1/4-1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
3 medium carrots, sliced into matchsticks
1 cup snap peas

For serving:

roasted peanuts
cilantro, chopped
green onions, sliced
hot, cooked rice

Instructions

Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally for 4-5 minutes or until there is no pink remaining.
Meanwhile, whisk together the peanut butter, sesame oil, lime juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes until well combined. Set aside.
Once the chicken is cooked through, add the red pepper, carrots and snap peas to the pan and cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes, or until the veggies are starting to soften.
Add the prepared sauce and stir to coat everything.
Continue to cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is hot and bubbling.
Serve the peanut chicken and vegetables over hot rice, with peanuts, cilantro and green onion to garnish.

Notes

Make sure to start your rice cooking first so it’s ready when your stir fry is done!

I have made this with both chicken breast and chicken thighs and both are fantastic so use your preference.

The amount of red pepper flakes called for in the recipe is a range depending on if you like spicy food or not - I use 1/4 teaspoon because my kids hate any spice, but my husband and I add more to our own servings - use 1/2 teaspoon if you want a bit more heat (it still won't be overly spicy).

Source: Adapted from Company’s Coming - 30 Minute Weekday Meals.