Peanut Chicken Protein Bowl (Print view)

Succulent chicken over coconut rice with crisp veggies and Thai peanut sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Coconut Rice

01 - 1 cup jasmine rice
02 - 1 cup unsweetened canned coconut milk
03 - 1 cup water
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Chicken

05 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 1 clove garlic, minced

→ Peanut Sauce

10 - 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
11 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
13 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
15 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
16 - 1 clove garlic, minced
17 - 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water
18 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes, optional

→ Toppings

19 - 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
20 - 1 cup carrots, julienned or shredded
21 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
22 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped, optional
23 - Lime wedges for serving

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Rinse jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, coconut milk, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, stir once, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let steam, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
02 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, soy sauce, black pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until chicken is golden and cooked through. Remove from heat.
03 - In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, lime juice, sesame oil, garlic, and chili flakes. Add warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
04 - Divide coconut rice among four bowls. Top each with sautéed chicken, red cabbage, carrots, and cilantro. Drizzle generously with peanut sauce. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Ideas:

01 -
  • It comes together in 50 minutes flat, which means you can have it on the table on a busy weeknight without stress.
  • The peanut sauce is genuinely addictive and tastes like restaurant quality, but it's made from pantry staples you probably already have.
  • It preps beautifully for meal prep, staying fresh and delicious for days in the fridge, making your work week exponentially easier.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice; I learned this the hard way when my first attempt turned into a starchy, clumpy mess that nobody wanted to eat.
  • The peanut sauce thickens as it cools, so make it slightly thinner than your ideal consistency, and always add water gradually rather than dumping it in all at once.
  • Toast your peanuts right before serving if you have time; the warm, crispy texture contrasts beautifully against the soft components of the bowl.
03 -
  • If your peanut sauce breaks or looks grainy, warm it gently in a small saucepan while whisking, and it will come back together beautifully.
  • Add a splash of lime juice just before eating to wake up all the flavors; it makes a surprising difference in how vibrant the whole bowl feels.
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