Peanut Chicken Fried Rice is a delicious and satisfying meal that combines tender ground chicken, fresh vegetables, and a rich peanut sauce for an irresistible fusion of flavors. This dish brings a unique twist to traditional fried rice by adding the creamy nuttiness of peanut butter, along with a medley of crunchy veggies like cabbage, carrots, and snow peas. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a meal prep option, this Peanut Chicken Fried Rice is sure to please your taste buds with its savory, slightly sweet, and nutty goodness.
Ingredients:
For the Fried Rice:
- 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 3/4 cup diced onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 cups diced or shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 2 cups snow peas or sugar snap peas, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 4 1/2 cups cooked white or brown rice
For the Peanut Sauce:
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1-2 tablespoons water (to thin, as needed)
For Garnish:
- Sriracha (optional)
- Chopped peanuts
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions:
- Prepare the peanut sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey (or maple syrup), rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of water, as needed, to thin the sauce to your desired consistency. Set aside.
- Cook the chicken:
- Heat olive or avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
- Add the ground chicken, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add aromatics:
- Stir in the diced onion, chopped garlic, ginger paste, kosher salt, and garlic powder.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the onions soften and the mixture becomes fragrant.
- Add vegetables:
- Add the cabbage, shredded carrots, and chopped snow peas to the skillet.
- Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
- Incorporate the rice:
- Add the cooked rice to the skillet, stirring well to combine with the chicken and vegetables.
- Pour the peanut sauce over the mixture and stir thoroughly to coat all the ingredients with the sauce.
- Serve and garnish:
- Once everything is heated through, remove from heat and serve immediately.
- Garnish with a drizzle of sriracha (if desired), chopped peanuts, and fresh cilantro for added flavor and texture.
Conclusion:
Peanut Chicken Fried Rice is a versatile and flavorful dish that takes the classic fried rice to a whole new level with its creamy peanut sauce and fresh, crunchy vegetables. It’s a perfect meal for when you want something filling, healthy, and packed with a variety of textures and flavors. The combination of savory ground chicken, tender rice, and a hint of sweetness from the peanut sauce makes this dish a crowd-pleaser, whether for a family dinner or meal prep for the week.
Peanut Chicken Fried Rice: A Flavorful Twist on a Classic Dish
Ingredients
For the Fried Rice:
- 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 3/4 cup diced onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 cups diced or shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 2 cups snow peas or sugar snap peas roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 4 1/2 cups cooked white or brown rice
For the Peanut Sauce:
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1-2 tablespoons water to thin, as needed
For Garnish:
- Sriracha optional
- Chopped peanuts
- Fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
Prepare the peanut sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey (or maple syrup), rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of water, as needed, to thin the sauce to your desired consistency. Set aside.
Cook the chicken:
- Heat olive or avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
- Add the ground chicken, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
Add aromatics:
- Stir in the diced onion, chopped garlic, ginger paste, kosher salt, and garlic powder.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the onions soften and the mixture becomes fragrant.
Add vegetables:
- Add the cabbage, shredded carrots, and chopped snow peas to the skillet.
- Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
Incorporate the rice:
- Add the cooked rice to the skillet, stirring well to combine with the chicken and vegetables.
- Pour the peanut sauce over the mixture and stir thoroughly to coat all the ingredients with the sauce.
Serve and garnish:
- Once everything is heated through, remove from heat and serve immediately.
- Garnish with a drizzle of sriracha (if desired), chopped peanuts, and fresh cilantro for added flavor and texture.