Easy Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Chicken

Jul 5

By Amy Rains

⎯ Last updated January 17, 2022

4.8 from 36 votes

Gluten Free

Kid-Friendly

Slow Cooker

Gluten Free

A Family Favorite Recipe:

I am introducing you to my kids’ favorite crockpot meal. If there is one food they love more than tacos, it’s peanut butter chicken. The peanut sauce is slightly sweet, a little acidic, and will leave your house smelling AhhhhhMAZING!You will love the way the chicken tenderizes and can even shred to create the most delicious bowl of goodness.

As a nutritionist, I love nothing more than easy healthy dinner recipes. This dinner is one that fits the bill! It’s high in healthy fat and protein, and can be a perfect meal when paired with some fiber; a side of broccoli or Brussels sprouts is a great option!

Short on time? This recipe is perfect. If your weeknights are super busy like ours, dinner can be ready with very little prep time. Less than 10 minutes!

Easy Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Chicken - Wholesomelicious (2)

How to make Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Chicken:

All you need is a slow cooker and these simple ingredients:

Chicken breast or thighs
Peanut butter (smooth or crunchy, your preference! You can also use another nut butter)
Gluten-free Tamari Sauce, coconut aminos, or soy sauce
Honey (omit if using coconut aminos)
Rice vinegar (you can sub with apple cider vinegar)
Chicken broth
Garlic cloves
Cilantro (for serving)
Crushed red pepper (optional)
Lime juice (optional)

All you need to do is stir the peanut sauce ingredients (peanut butter, coconut aminos, honey, rice vinegar, chicken broth, and garlic), throw in your chicken breast, hit start, and be on your way. Cook on 4 to 6 hours in your slow cooker. I always set mine to 6, then check at the 4 hour mark.

It’s that easy you guys!

Tips for Serving and Storing:

Make it creamier: stir in 1/2 cup of coconut milk!
Serve with some veggies over rice or cauliflower rice. It tastes so delicious with my Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice.
For veggies, my favorite companion is my oven Roasted Lemon and Garlic Broccoli.
Storing: in the fridge for up to 5 days (perfect for meal prep lunch), or freeze for up to 3 months.

Easy Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Chicken - Wholesomelicious (3)

Can I make this in the Instant Pot?

Yes! You can make this recipe in the Instant Pot. You will need to increase the chicken broth to 3/4 cup, or use the more liquid part of coconut milk. Note that the nut butter has a tendency to create the burn signal so be sure to add in more liquid than you would use in the slow cooker. I recommend following my recipe for Instant Pot Cashew Butter Chicken to get the right liquid ratio.

Is there a Paleo option?

You can easily make this a paleo meal by substituting cashew butter or almond butter for the peanut butter. I would suggest trying my Cashew Butter Chicken recipe for a Paleo option!

Also, use coconut aminos in place of GF Tamari or soy sauce. When using coconut aminos, you will most likely not need any honey. You can stir the sauce and taste before adding it to the slow cooker to test it out.

Now it’s your turn to try!

Be sure to rate the recipe below and comment if you make it! Also, tag me onInstagram@wholesomelicious with your creations. I love to see them!

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As a nutritionist, I love an easy, versatile dinner that's tasty, healthy and super easy. This Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Chicken fits the bill! You can use chicken breast or chicken things, and creamy or crunchy peanut butter. Enjoy!

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Servings 5

Calories 367kcal

Author Amy Rains

4.8 from 36 votes

Ingredients

1.5 lbs chicken breast or chicken thighs

For the Peanut Butter Sauce:

1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
1/4 cup GF Tamari Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos*
1/4 cup honey**
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/2 cup chicken broth
3 large garlic cloves minced

For Serving:

1 tbsp crushed red pepper (optional)
1 tbsp lime juice (optional)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro (optional)

Instructions

Place chicken breasts into your slow cooker.
In a small bowl, whisk together sauce ingredients: peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, chicken broth, and garlic cloves. Sauce will be slightly lumpy, but make sure it's well incorporated. Pour on top of chicken.
Set your slow cooker to cook on low for 6 hours. You can check on it at the 4 hour mark to see if it can easily shred. If not, let it continue to cook until the 6 hour mark.
Serve over rice with roasted vegetables and be sure to top your chicken with the sauce. Add optional crushed red pepper, lime juice, and cilantro on top.

Recipe Notes

*If using coconut aminos, you will most likely not need the honey as the coconut aminos is already sweet.You can stir the sauce together in a bowl beforehand and taste it to determine if you want to use any honey.

Recipe adapted from Parade Magazine:

Calories: 367kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 36gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 390mgPotassium: 738mgFiber: 2gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 571IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg