Description
Easy baked Asian peanut butter chicken is a quick, flavorful, and family-friendly dish. Tender chicken is baked in a creamy peanut sauce infused with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and a touch of sweetness. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or special occasions, this versatile recipe can be customized for spice, sweetness, or dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs or breasts
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1–2 tsp chili flakes or sriracha (optional for spice)
- 1 tbsp lime juice or rice vinegar
- 1–2 tbsp water or coconut milk (to adjust sauce consistency)
- Optional garnish: sesame seeds, chopped green onions, cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, lime juice, and chili flakes. Adjust consistency with water or coconut milk if needed.
- Place chicken in a baking dish and coat evenly with the peanut sauce. Optional: marinate 15–30 minutes.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20–25 minutes for thighs (15–20 minutes for breasts).
- Uncover for the last 5–10 minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize.
- Let the chicken rest 5 minutes, then garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
Notes
- Use creamy peanut butter for a smooth sauce; crunchy can be used as a garnish.
- Adjust sweetness and spice to taste.
- It can be baked with vegetables for a one-pan meal.
- Perfect for meal prep; store in fridge or freeze for later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg