You’ll love this Asian-inspired Grilled Peanut Chicken recipe made with a spicy, homemade Thai peanut sauce! It’s an effortless weeknight dinner or make-ahead meal with the added bonus of being ready in 30 minutes.
Looking for more tasty chicken dinner ideas? Try my Melt in Your Mouth Chicken recipe!
Tender Grilled Chicken with Thai Peanut Sauce
I love this recipe for simple, tender grilled chicken coated in a savory, tangy, spicy peanut sauce. This easy dinner idea comes together in 30 minutes; just grill the chicken, mix up the sauce, and go! I usually garnish the dish with some crushed peanuts and cilantro for flair. Maximum flavor, minimal effort = my kind of meal.
This Thai peanut butter chicken is similar to chicken satay, minus the skewers. It’s an easy chicken dinner that packs all the familiar mouthwatering flavors: creamy peanut butter, flavorful soy sauce, zesty lime, chili heat, and spices without much added effort! Make this peanut chicken for casual weeknight dinners, or impress guests at your next dinner party – it’s just that versatile.
What You’ll Need
The sauce for this easy grilled chicken recipe is an explosion of Asian flavors made from common ingredients. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless chicken breasts are best for this recipe.
- Peanut Butter: With or without salt and sugar added.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed is the way to go.
- Soy Sauce: Combined with the peanut and lime for the ultimate sweet-sour-salty flavor.
- Garlic: Whole cloves, minced.
- Curry Powder: A pre-mixed blend of Eastern spices that you can find in the spice aisle of most supermarkets.
- Chili Paste: Gives this Thai peanut chicken a nice hit of heat.
- Cilantro & Chopped Peanuts: Optional, for garnish.
How to Make Grilled Peanut Chicken
Only a few easy steps are involved when it comes to this easy homemade peanut butter chicken.
Make the Peanut Sauce: Whisk together the lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, curry powder, and chili paste with the peanut butter.
Glaze the Chicken: Coat one side of the chicken breasts with half of your homemade Thai peanut sauce.
Grill: Transfer the chicken breasts to a preheated grill. Brush the chicken with the remaining peanut sauce, and cook for a few minutes per side until the chicken is cooked through. The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Serve: Give your homemade Thai peanut chicken a sprinkle of cilantro and chopped peanuts if you’d like, then serve immediately.
Make Ahead For Even MORE Flavor!
This is an easy 30 minute dinner idea, because you literally brush the chicken with the peanut sauce, and grill. BUT if you wan to prep ahead or maximize the flavor profile, brush on the sauce and then let it marinate up to overnight.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Overcooked chicken will be dry, and undercooked chicken will be tough. I’d highly recommend investing in an inexpensive meat thermometer so you can pull your chicken off the grill the minute it hits 165 degrees. Otherwise, keep a close eye when cooking.
- Make Ahead Peanut Chicken: This recipe is great for meal prep! You can make it ahead of time and freeze it for easy thawing and serving whenever a quick and easy dinner is in order. See the section below on how to freeze.
Serving Suggestions
As mentioned, this is one of those dinner recipes that’s super versatile. You’re bound to make it again and again, as you can serve it in so many different ways:
- Serve this grilled peanut chicken with leaves of lettuce, shredded carrots and cabbage for easy Asian-inspired lettuce wraps.
- Grill the chicken separately, slice and toss it over a salad, and then drizzle the peanut sauce over top as a dressing.
- You can easily make this recipe as a peanut satay, and grill the chicken on skewers. You can also grill the chicken and keep the sauce aside for dipping!
As for dishes to serve alongside this easy chicken with peanut sauce, here are some suggestions:
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Leftover grilled chicken and peanut sauce can be stored airtight in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the chicken either in the microwave or in a 300F degree oven for a few minutes until heated through.
Is Peanut Chicken Freezer-Friendly?
Grilled peanut chicken is definitely freezer-friendly! You can keep leftovers frozen and reheat them for a quick family meal that’s great for easy weeknight dinners.
To freeze cooked peanut chicken, allow the grilled chicken to cool completely before storing. Separate the chicken into serving-sized portions and place it into freezer-safe bags or containers, and freeze for up to 4 months. Thaw the frozen chicken overnight in the fridge before serving or reheating.
More Quick & Easy Grilling Recipes
Easy Grilled Peanut Chicken
Description:
Delicious, Asian-inspired Grilled Peanut Chicken made with a flavorful and spicy, homemade Thai peanut sauce! An effortless weeknight chicken dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes.
Scale
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon chili paste
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
- Optional garnish – cilantro, chopped peanuts
Instructions
- In a medium bowl whisk together the peanut butter, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, curry powder, and chili paste.
- Brush half of the mixture onto one side of the chicken breasts.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat. Coat the grill grates with nonstick spray or brush with olive oil. Place the chicken onto the grill and brush with the remaining peanut mixture. Cook for 4 minutes on each side, or until the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Garnish with cilantro and chopped peanuts if desired and serve immediately.
Notes:
Store airtight in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: 30 minute meals, peanut butter chicken, easy chicken recipes
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