Instant Pot Peanut Butter Chicken: An Easy & Flavorful Weeknight Dinner

Transform your dinner routine with our incredible Instant Pot Peanut Butter Chicken! This pressure cooker recipe delivers tender chicken enveloped in a rich, creamy, and irresistibly savory peanut sauce that’s sure to become a family favorite. Whether you use chicken breasts or thighs, the homemade sauce, crafted from your favorite creamy peanut butter, guarantees a meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. Get ready for an explosion of flavors that’s surprisingly simple to achieve!

Are you searching for an exciting new chicken recipe, or perhaps wondering what the buzz is about peanut butter in a savory dish? You’ve landed in the right place! We’ve perfected this delectable meal for the Instant Pot, making it incredibly quick and convenient. While a stovetop version in a covered skillet is certainly possible until the chicken is tender, the pressure cooker truly elevates the flavors and cuts down on cooking time, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

Who doesn’t love peanut butter? Unless you have an allergy, chances are there’s a jar in your pantry right now! It’s so much more versatile than just for baking peanut butter cookies or making sandwiches. In this recipe, it forms the creamy, nutty base of a sauce inspired by Asian flavors, creating a dish that’s both comforting and exotic.

Why Choose the Instant Pot for Peanut Butter Chicken?

The beauty of the Instant Pot (or any multi-cooker with a high-pressure function, such as Crockpot Express or Mealthy, or even as a Ninja Foodi recipe) lies in its ability to infuse deep flavors into your chicken in a fraction of the time. The high-pressure environment tenderizes the meat beautifully while allowing the rich peanut butter sauce to penetrate every piece. This results in incredibly moist, flavorful chicken that cooks up quickly, making it a perfect solution for a satisfying dinner when time is short.

Key Ingredients for Your Peanut Butter Chicken

Creating this flavorful dish begins with a thoughtful selection of ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is essential:

Protein Choice: Chicken Breasts or Thighs

I typically prepare this dish with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces for quicker cooking and better sauce absorption. However, if you prefer a richer flavor and more succulent texture, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are an excellent alternative. Whichever you choose, a quick sauté in a bit of olive oil or peanut oil will help brown the outsides, locking in the juices and adding depth of flavor before pressure cooking.

Building the Flavorful Sauce Base

The sauce is where the magic truly happens. You’ll start by adding chicken broth to the pot after searing the chicken. This step is crucial not only for creating the liquid base but also for deglazing the pot. Using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom (deglazing) is vital to prevent the “burn” notice on your Instant Pot. These flavorful bits will also enrich the sauce significantly.

To achieve a wonderfully creamy texture with a hint of sweetness, we incorporate full-fat coconut milk. Don’t skimp on this – the full-fat version provides the richness that truly makes the sauce luxurious. While we’re not calorie-counting here, the indulgence is worth it!

Soy sauce (or liquid aminos for a gluten-free option) delivers a crucial umami punch, complementing the other flavors. Freshly minced ginger adds an aromatic warmth, while brown sugar balances the savory notes with a touch of sweetness. For a medium level of heat and an extra layer of complexity, chili garlic sauce is a must. If you desire more heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added. Finally, a squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end brightens the entire dish, cutting through the richness beautifully.

The Star: Peanut Butter

Of course, creamy peanut butter is the star of the show! It’s important to add the peanut butter in dollops on top of the other ingredients before closing the lid, rather than stirring it in. This prevents it from settling at the bottom and potentially triggering the “burn” notice during pressure cooking. After cooking, you can whisk in a cornstarch slurry (or arrowroot flour for a gluten-free alternative) to thicken the sauce to your desired consistency. This step is optional but highly recommended for a truly luscious sauce.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Pressure Cooker Peanut Butter Chicken

This pressure cooker chicken recipe is a breeze to make, even for beginners. Here’s a detailed guide to creating this mouthwatering meal:

1. Sauté the Chicken: Begin by setting your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function and adding your choice of olive or peanut oil. Once the oil is hot, add your diced chicken pieces. Brown them lightly on the outsides for about 5 minutes, or until no longer pink. You’re not aiming to cook them through, just to sear the exterior for flavor.
2. Deglaze the Pot: Pour in the chicken broth. Immediately use a wooden spatula to scrape up any browned bits that may have stuck to the bottom of the pot during sautéing. This critical step prevents the dreaded “burn” notice and incorporates all those delicious caramelized flavors into your sauce.
3. Combine Sauce Ingredients (Except Peanut Butter & Thickener): Turn off the Instant Pot’s sauté function. In a separate bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, soy sauce, ground ginger, brown sugar, lime juice, and chili garlic sauce. Make sure to reserve the peanut butter and cornstarch for later steps.
4. Add Liquids to the Pot: Pour the whisked sauce mixture over the chicken in the Instant Pot. Ensure the chicken is mostly submerged.
5. Introduce Peanut Butter (Do NOT Stir!): Carefully spoon dollops of creamy peanut butter directly into the pot, placing them on top of the liquid and chicken. It is crucial NOT to stir the peanut butter at this stage, as it can cause it to sink and stick to the bottom, potentially triggering a burn error during pressure cooking.
6. Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and ensure the steam release valve is in the sealed position. Set the pot to cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
7. Natural Release & Quick Release: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for a 5-minute natural pressure release. This means you do nothing for 5 minutes after the timer goes off. After 5 minutes, carefully quick-release any remaining pressure by moving the valve to the venting position.
8. Thicken the Sauce (Optional): Once the pressure is fully released and the lid is safe to open, lift it carefully. If you prefer a thicker sauce, prepare a cornstarch slurry by whisking 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with a few tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Turn the Instant Pot back to “Sauté” mode. Once the sauce begins to bubble, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to your liking. Turn off the pot and serve immediately.

Expert Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Chicken

• Chicken Size Matters: Cut your chicken into roughly 1-inch bite-sized chunks. Smaller pieces ensure even cooking and allow them to soak up as much of that delicious peanut sauce as possible.
• The Peanut Butter Trick: As mentioned, resist the urge to stir the peanut butter into the sauce before pressure cooking. Simply drop large tablespoon-sized dollops on top of the other ingredients. It will perfectly melt and integrate during the cooking process. Stirring too early can cause it to sink and potentially cause a “burn” notice.
• Deglazing is Non-Negotiable: Don’t skip the deglazing step after browning the chicken. Those stuck-on bits are pure flavor, and scraping them off prevents burning and enriches your sauce.
• Adjusting Spice Levels: The chili garlic sauce provides a moderate kick. For a milder version, reduce the amount. For those who love heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the chili garlic sauce, or even a dash of sriracha at the end.
• Garnish for Freshness: Fresh garnishes like chopped peanuts, cilantro, or sliced green onions not only add visual appeal but also a burst of fresh flavor and texture.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

This flavorful peanut butter chicken is wonderfully versatile. It pairs perfectly with Ninja Foodi rice or any other grain like jasmine rice, brown rice, or even quinoa. When it’s chilly outside, a warm bowl of this chicken with rice is incredibly comforting. Having multiple pressure cookers allows me to prepare the main dish in one and a side in another, depending on my craving, but a grain is always a solid choice.

For a complete meal, consider serving it with steamed or lightly stir-fried vegetables such as broccoli, snow peas, or bell peppers. You can also explore different noodle options like ramen or rice vermicelli to absorb the luscious sauce.

Chinese Peanut Sauce (Satay Sauce) Inspiration

This recipe certainly draws inspiration from Chinese peanut butter sauce, also known as satay sauce, bumbu kacang, or sambal kacang in Southeast Asian cuisine. If you’re looking for a spicier, more traditional take on a peanut sauce to use as a marinade or dipping sauce, consider these measurements (though some ingredients are omitted from our main dish for simplicity):

1. 2 cups creamy peanut butter
2. 2 tbsp soy sauce or fish sauce
3. 4 tsp minced garlic
4. 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
5. 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar (not used in our Instant Pot recipe)
6. 2 tsp sugar (not used in our Instant Pot recipe)
7. 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (can be added to our recipe for extra heat)

To use this as a marinade, blend all ingredients except water, then thin with a little hot water if needed. Marinate chicken, pork, or tofu skewers for at least 2 hours before grilling or baking.

Recipe Card: Instant Pot Peanut Butter Chicken

Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe

By
Justine

This Instant Pot peanut butter chicken recipe is amazing! If you love pressure cooker chicken with bold flavors this is it. Your kids will love it too.

Prep:

10 mins

Cook:

9 mins

Servings:
6

Equipment

• 1 pressure cooker

Ingredients

• 3 medium chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cubed
• 1 tbsp olive oil, or peanut oil
• 1/2 c chicken broth
• 13.5 oz coconut milk
• 3 tbsp soy sauce, or liquid aminos
• 1/2 tsp ginger, ground
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
• 1/2 c peanut butter
• 1 tsp cornstarch, optional, to thicken sauce
• salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

• Set pot to saute and add olive oil. Add chicken pieces in when hot and brown on sides until there is no pink on outsides.
• Add chicken broth and use wooden spatula to scrape stuck on pieces of food off bottom to deglaze pot.
• Turn pot off now. In a bowl whisk together all other ingredients EXCEPT for the peanut butter and cornstarch. Pour this into the pot.
• Use a spoon to drop dollops of peanut butter into the pot but DO NOT stir.
• Close lid and steam valve and set to high pressure for 8 minutes followed by a 5 minute natural release. Then release rest of pressure.
• Lift lid and if you want sauce thicker whisk together cornstarch with a few tbsp of cold water until smooth. Set pot to saute and when sauce bubbles add cornstarch slurry. Stir and allow to thicken, then turn pot off and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 2oz,
Calories: 431kcal,
Carbohydrates: 13g,
Protein: 32g,
Fat: 30g,
Saturated Fat: 15g,
Cholesterol: 72mg,
Sodium: 953mg,
Potassium: 744mg,
Fiber: 2g,
Sugar: 7g,
Vitamin A: 34IU,
Vitamin C: 7mg,
Calcium: 35mg,
Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course:
Entree, Main Course

Cuisine:
American

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (it’s rare with this dish!), allow the peanut butter chicken to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, I recommend doing so gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Stir every 30 seconds to ensure even heating. The sauce may thicken considerably upon cooling, so you might want to add a tablespoon or two of chicken broth or even a little more peanut butter to loosen it back up to its creamy consistency.

Is Peanut Butter Chicken Healthy?

Let’s be upfront: this dish isn’t typically categorized as a low-calorie, low-carb, or keto-friendly meal. Here at our kitchen, we celebrate comfort foods, and enjoying them in moderation is perfectly fine. While many of the ingredients in peanut sauces, such as ginger, provide nutrient-packed benefits, the dish as a whole tends to be higher in calories and fat due to the peanut butter and coconut milk. It’s a satisfying, hearty meal that offers a good source of protein, but it’s best savored as an occasional treat or balanced with lighter sides.

Beyond the Sandwich: Creative Uses for Peanut Butter

We’re constantly exploring new chicken recipes to keep dinnertime exciting, and this peanut butter chicken certainly offers a unique and delicious idea. But the versatility of peanut butter extends far beyond this savory dish and the classic sandwich. Here are a few more delightful ways to incorporate it into your cooking:

• Our peanut butter and jelly donuts are a semi-homemade revelation, using refrigerated dough for an easy breakfast hit.
• For a decadent dessert, these peanut butter cookie brownies, made with a simple cake mix, come out incredibly creamy and delicious.
• Start your day with a boost by including some peanut butter inside a batch of peanut butter blender muffins for a tasty and satisfying treat.
• Venture into more savory territory by serving peanut sauce alongside grilled seafood skewers, chicken satay, or even steamed dumplings.
• Consider a peanut ginger marinade: Blend peanut butter with soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, a touch of onion, and a dash of hot sauce. Use this to marinate chicken, pork, or even firm tofu in a freezer bag for at least 2 hours before grilling, baking, or pan-frying.

If you’re looking for another winning dinner to try in your trusty multi-cooker, I highly recommend our Instant Pot butter chicken next. It’s another flavor-packed option that delivers maximum taste with minimal effort.