Spicy Peanut Butter Chinese Chicken
A vibrant, spicy Chinese chicken dish featuring crunchy peanut sauce, fresh cucumber, scallions, and watercress, perfect for a quick, flavorful meal enjoyed hot or cold.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken ⓘ
- 1 cucumber, pared, seeded and sliced ⓘ
- 1 scallion, thinly sliced ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons water ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce ⓘ
- watercress ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons chopped peanuts
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, stir together the cooked shredded chicken, sliced cucumber, scallion, ground ginger, and minced garlic; mix well.
- In a small bowl, stir together the crunchy peanut butter, water, soy sauce, red wine vinegar, peanut oil, sugar, and hot pepper sauce to make the sauce.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken mixture and toss gently to combine.
- Serve the dish on a bed of watercress and garnish with chopped peanuts if desired.
- Serve hot or cold.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier sauce, consider using smooth peanut butter instead of crunchy. You can also add a splash of lime juice for extra acidity. If you’re looking for a lighter option, replace the peanut oil with sesame oil. This dish can be easily adjusted for spice levels by increasing or decreasing the hot pepper sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this spicy peanut butter chicken on a bed of fresh watercress for a crunchy texture. Pair it with steamed jasmine rice or a side salad for a complete meal. For a delightful twist, consider serving it alongside Chicken Noodle And Chinese Cabbage Quick Soup to create a balanced menu.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, gently warm in a skillet over low heat to prevent the chicken from drying out. You can also enjoy this dish cold, making it a great option for meal prep.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spicy Peanut Butter Chinese Chicken contains roughly 282 calories, with 6g protein, 22g carbohydrates, and 18g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (26% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and protein. It also contributes 5g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Leftover rotisserie chicken works perfectly in this dish and saves time. Just make sure to shred it into bite-sized pieces before mixing it with the other ingredients.
What can I substitute for peanut butter if I have a nut allergy?
If you have a nut allergy, you can use sunflower seed butter or tahini as a substitute for peanut butter. Both options will provide a creamy texture and a unique flavor profile.
Is there a vegetarian option for this recipe?
Yes! To make this dish vegetarian, replace the chicken with cooked tofu or tempeh. Ensure to season them well to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).