Spicy Peanut Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken
- 16 oz ground chicken
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, finely minced
Spicy Peanut Sauce
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 2 tbsp gochujang
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tsp sugar
Optional Garnish
- Rice, for serving
- Sesame seeds
- Scallions
- Cucumbers
Instructions
- Finely mince your garlic and ginger and set aside.
- In a bowl, combine peanut butter, gochujang, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
- Add oil to a pan over medium heat and add your garlic and ginger. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add in the ground chicken, breaking it apart, and cook for about 4 minutes until fully cooked through.
- Pour in your sauce and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the sauce reduces and clings tightly to the chicken.
- Serve the spicy peanut chicken over a fresh bowl of rice and optionally garnish with sesame seeds, scallions, and cucumbers.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Why This Spicy Peanut Chicken Feels Like Cheating
This Spicy Peanut Chicken tastes good enough where it actually feels like it shouldn’t be this easy to make. I promise it is though! All you need to do is sauté some garlic and ginger, brown the ground chicken, and stir in a delicious gochujang peanut sauce. It’s creamy, a little spicy, just slightly sweet, and super savory, which is what I want in a quick, healthy weeknight dinner, and I’m sure that’s the case for you too!
Peanut Butter and Gochujang Is the Combo You Didn’t Know You Needed
I think peanut butter doesn’t only have to be paired with jelly, but it pairs beautifully with spicy ingredients too, like gochujang! The nuttiness of the peanut butter mellows out the heat of the gochujang while the umami flavors still shine through. The best part, in my opinion, is the addition of soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar, which helps round the sauce out and balance beautifully. Once the sauce reduces and clings to the chicken, it’s one of the best flavor profiles you’ll eat! I promise :).
What You’ll Need To Make Peanut Gochujang Chicken
Chicken
- 16 oz ground chicken
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, finely minced
Spicy Peanut Sauce
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 2 tbsp gochujang
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tsp sugar
Optional Garnish
- Rice, for serving
- Sesame seeds
- Scallions
- Cucumbers
How to Make Spicy Peanut Chicken
Finely mince your garlic and ginger and set them aside.
In a bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, gochujang, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar until smooth.
Add oil to a pan over medium heat and sauté the garlic and ginger for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the ground chicken, breaking it apart, and cook for about 4 minutes until fully cooked through.
Pour in the sauce and stir well, letting it simmer and reduce until it coats the chicken and turns glossy.
Serve hot over rice and optionally garnish with scallions, sesame seeds, and cucumbers.
Tips & Variations
I love to use creamy peanut butter because it gives the sauce a smoother texture and sweeter finish, but any peanut butter works.
If you can’t find ground chicken, ground turkey or even ground beef works and tastes just as good!
Feel free to add steamed vegetables to this dish to add more volume. I personally like to use broccoli or bok choy. If you’re too tired to steam some veggies, you can also use sliced cucumbers!
If the sauce thickens too fast and is starting to burn, loosen it with a splash of water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chunky peanut butter?
Yes, it’ll also add some texture, but make sure it’s fully incorporated into the sauce so you still get that smooth, clingy finish.
Is this dish spicy?
It’s mild-to-medium depending on your gochujang brand and how much you use. You can reduce the amount or mix in a little honey to reduce the heat.
How do I store leftovers?
It keeps well in the fridge for 3–4 days. To reheat it, microwave for 2 minutes at high heat.
Can I freeze this?
Yes! Freeze the cooked chicken mixture in an airtight container. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave for 3 minutes.
What to Make Next
Want something sweet and sticky? Try my Teriyaki Chicken!
Craving something creamy and spicy? Don’t miss my Chili Oil Vodka Pasta!
Looking for another peanut butter dish? You’ll love my Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles!
