Peanut Chicken Stir-Fry

Craving a warming noodle dish that’s bursting with flavor? Look no further than our contest-winning Thai peanut chicken stir-fry. Perfect for busy weeknights, this peanut chicken recipe combines tender chicken, vibrant veggies and slurp-worthy rice noodles, all enveloped in a rich, creamy peanut sauce.

With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up a meal that feels like a culinary trip to Thailand without being stuck in the kitchen for hours. Plus, you can swap in frozen veggies for the fresh, which means you can enjoy a rainbow of flavors and nutrients without the fuss of washing and chopping produce.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a family, this satisfying chicken and peanut stir-fry is sure to become a favorite. Need more of an incentive? This meal goes from prep to plate in 30 minutes.

Ingredients for Peanut Chicken Stir-Fry

• Noodles: We opt for thick rice noodles, which entangle well with the veggies and chicken strips, but you could also use curly ramen noodles or even spaghetti if that’s what you have.
• Peanut sauce: For this quick sauce, you’ll need reduced-sodium soy sauce, peanut butter (creamy yields a smoother sauce than crunchy), brown sugar for sweetness and lemon juice for a bit of acidity.
• Seasonings: Minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes add a hint of heat to the creamy peanut sauce, but if you prefer a milder version, you can omit the flakes entirely or use a smaller amount.
• Oil: A neutral vegetable oil like canola oil can handle a high smoke level in a skillet or wok, making it the perfect oil for stir-frying veggies and chicken.
• Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breasts are best for stir-fries. They can be cut into 1/2-inch strips easily, without a lot of heavy lifting as far as fat trimming goes.
• Veggies: We love the color and crunch of broccoli florets and shredded carrots in this chicken stir-fry with peanut sauce. To save time, opt for a bag of mixed frozen veggies instead of using fresh.
• Sesame seeds: This is an optional yet strongly advised garnish for a nutty finish with every bite.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the noodles

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Cook the rice noodles according to the package directions.

Step 2: Make the peanut sauce

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In a small bowl, combine the water, soy sauce, peanut butter, brown sugar, lemon juice, garlic and red pepper flakes. Give it a good whisk until well combined, then set it aside.

Step 3: Cook the chicken

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In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon canola oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, and stir-fry the poultry until it is no longer pink, a few minutes on each side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.

Step 4: Cook the veggies

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Add the broccoli and carrots to the same skillet with the remaining oil, stir-frying the veggies until crisp-tender, four to six minutes. Add the soy sauce mixture, and bring the pan to a boil. Cook and stir the sauce until thickened, one to two minutes longer.

Step 5: Toss the stir-fry

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Return the cooked chicken to the pan and heat it through. Drain the noodles, and toss them in the pan with the chicken and veggies. If desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

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Peanut Chicken Stir-Fry Variations

• Switch up the veggies: In addition to broccoli and carrots, you could use snap peas, sliced bell peppers or asparagus spears in this peanut chicken recipe.
• Swap in rice: For a healthier take on this dish, opt for a side of brown rice instead of refined rice noodles.
• Add a crunchy topper: For added texture, finish the dish with some chopped peanuts or cashews.

How to Store Peanut Chicken Stir-Fry

Transfer any leftover peanut chicken to airtight containers and place them in the fridge, where the leftovers will be good for three to four days.

Can you freeze peanut chicken stir-fry?

We wouldn’t advise it. The sauce and noodles will be totally different texture-wise after thawing.

What’s the best way to reheat chicken stir-fry with peanut sauce?

To reheat, warm the stir-fry over medium heat in a skillet or wok until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken in a microwave-safe container in the microwave.

Peanut Chicken Stir-Fry Tips

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How do you adjust the spice level in Thai peanut chicken?

To make this Thai peanut chicken recipe less spicy, reduce or omit the crushed chili flakes. You can also balance out the heat by adding cooling ingredients like coconut milk or acidic components like lime juice. For a spicier version, add more chili flakes or use additional ingredients like cayenne pepper, chili sauce, chili crisp, garlic chili sauce or Sriracha.

What else can you add to the chicken and peanut stir-fry?

To make this Thai peanut chicken recipe your own, try using chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Many Thai chicken recipes use chicken thighs because they have more fat, which makes them juicier and gives the dish a boost of flavor. You can also add ginger to bring a heating pungency to the dish, or add freshness with herbs like basil or lemongrass.

How do you serve peanut chicken?

This recipe calls for stir-frying rice noodles with chicken, vegetables and sauce, but that’s not the only way to serve Thai peanut chicken. As with other homemade Asian recipes, you can serve the chicken and vegetables over rice or with heartier noodles like egg noodles. Finish the dish with fresh elements like chopped scallion, green onion or cilantro, or crunchy items like sesame seeds or chopped peanuts.