Description
Thai cuisine is famous for its bold flavors, perfect balance of sweet, spicy, salty, and tangy, and vibrant ingredients that create unforgettable dishes. One such dish is the Thai Peanut Chicken Bowl—a wholesome, flavor-packed meal featuring juicy, marinated chicken, crisp vegetables, and a creamy, rich peanut sauce served over rice or noodles.
This dish is incredibly versatile. You can customize the spice level, swap ingredients based on dietary needs, or even make it vegetarian. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or serving it fresh for dinner, this bowl brings restaurant-quality flavors straight to your kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
For the Thai Peanut Sauce:
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons sriracha (adjust based on spice preference)
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup warm water (to thin the sauce, if needed)
For the Bowl:
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice or rice noodles
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- ½ cup edamame (optional)
- ½ cup shredded purple cabbage
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts (for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
- Sliced green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, garlic powder, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- Add the chicken pieces, tossing them to coat evenly in the marinade.
- Cover and let marinate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the fridge for deeper flavor).
Step 2: Prepare the Peanut Sauce
- In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sriracha, grated ginger, and minced garlic.
- Gradually add warm water, a tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency (smooth but thick).
- Taste and adjust seasoning—add more lime juice for tang, honey for sweetness, or sriracha for spice.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil.
- Once hot, add the marinated chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 4: Assemble the Bowl
- Divide cooked jasmine rice or rice noodles into serving bowls.
- Arrange the fresh vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, cucumber, edamame, cabbage) over the rice.
- Add the cooked chicken on top.
- Drizzle a generous amount of the peanut sauce over everything.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle chopped peanuts, cilantro, and green onions over the bowls.
- Serve with lime wedges on the side for a zesty finish.
- Enjoy immediately while the flavors are fresh and vibrant!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 560 kcal
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg