Easy Thai Chicken with Peanut Sauce

 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Are you tired of the same old chicken dinner week after week? Do you find chicken breasts to be dry and flavorless? I have an easy recipe that will wake up your tired taste buds. This easy-to-fix chicken meal checks all the boxes:

• Ready to eat in about 30 minutes
• Packed full of flavor
• Tender chicken thighs are moist, never dry

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed
• 1 14-ounce can coconut milk
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons red curry paste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• fresh cilantro or basil leaves for garnish (optional)
• chopped unsalted peanuts for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium heat until it begins to shimmer.
2. Add the chicken thighs, reduce the heat to low, and cook for about 15 minutes or until golden on one side. Flip and continue to cook for about 10 minutes more until golden on the other side.
3. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside. At this point, I removed the bones from the thighs but you can leave them in—your choice.
4. In the same pan add the coconut milk, peanut butter, garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, red curry paste, and brown sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 2 minutes to blend the flavors.
5. Return the chicken to the pan and simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has reduced a bit (about 5 minutes). Test the chicken with an instant-read thermometer. It must read 165 degrees F. (75 degrees C).
6. Garnish the chicken with fresh cilantro and/or chopped peanuts if desired.

I served our chicken with steamed green beans and couscous. Yes, I know that couscous is not a traditional side dish, but it's super quick (5 minutes), and full of whole-grain goodness.

A salad with fresh vegetables (broccoli florets, red bell pepper, shredded carrot, snow peas, and cucumber are just a few examples) would also be a healthy accompaniment.