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Thai Peanut Chicken with Coconut Rice

Thai Peanut Chicken with Coconut Rice

Dawn Karwoski
A personal favorite of ours, this dish has it all. Notes of sweet, salt, spice, and umami means one satisfying meal. This dish can easily be made ahead and makes wonderful leftovers.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Asian, Asian-American
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

Poached chicken

  • 4-5 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
  • 2 garlic cloves peeled (optional)
  • 1 small yellow onion quartered (optional)
  • Handful of fresh herbs on the stem optional

Sauce, conventional version

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
  • 2/3 cup creamy unsalted peanut butter
  • 1 1/2 cups full fat coconut milk
  • 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chili garlic paste Sriracha brand

Sauce, Paleo version

Rice

Toppings

  • 1/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro
  • 1/4 cup crushed peanuts optional
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions
 

Poached Chicken

  • Set chicken in an even layer on the bottom of a large high-sided sauté pan. Top with salt, peppercorns, garlic, onion and herbs, if using. Fill the pan with water, so that the chicken is covered by 1-2 inches.
  • Set the pan on your burner, turn to medium-high, and bring to a boil. One boiling, cover the pan and reduce heat to low. Let simmer 10 minutes then check temperature. Chicken is done when it registers 165 degrees, and is white throughout.
  • Use tongs to move chicken to a cutting board and let cool. Once cooled cut into cubes or slices.

Sauce

  • Heat olive oil in large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook until softened, about 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Add all remaining ingredients and whisk to combine. Cook over medium until thickened, about 10 minutes, whisking frequently.

Rice

  • Bring water to a boil in a medium sauce pan. Add rice, and stir to combine. Cover and cook about 15 minutes or until water is absorbed.
  • Remove from heat and stir in coconut cream, flaked coconut, and green onions.

Assembly

  • Preheat oven to 350. Place chicken in a medium-sized baking dish, cover with 1/2 the sauce, and place in oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until heated through.
  • Sprinkle with sesame seeds, cilantro, and peanuts. Serve on top of rice with extra sauce on the side.

Notes

*The aromatics are not necessary when poaching the chicken, however they do make the chicken more flavorful.
**The Thai sauce is super tasty and goes well with many other dishes, we encourage you make extra and experiment with other recipes.
Keyword Chicken, Dairy free, Dinner, Gluten Free, Leftovers, Make ahead, Meal prep
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