Peanut Chicken Protein Bowl (Printable Version)

Succulent chicken over coconut rice with fresh vegetables and Thai peanut sauce.

# Ingredient List:

→ Coconut Rice

01 - 1 cup jasmine rice
02 - 1 cup unsweetened canned coconut milk
03 - 1 cup water
04 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Chicken

05 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
08 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 1 clove garlic, minced

→ Peanut Sauce

10 - ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
11 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
13 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
14 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
15 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
16 - 1 clove garlic, minced
17 - 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water
18 - ¼ teaspoon chili flakes, optional

→ Toppings

19 - 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
20 - 1 cup carrots, julienned or shredded
21 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
22 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped, optional
23 - Lime wedges for serving

# How to Prepare:

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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's endlessly customizable: swap proteins, add whatever vegetables are in your crisper drawer, adjust the sauce heat to your mood.
  • Meal prep gold: everything keeps well separately, so you can build fresh bowls all week without tasting tired.
  • Genuinely delicious: that peanut sauce hits all the notes—creamy, tangy, a whisper of heat—without feeling like work.
02 -
  • The peanut sauce gets thicker as it cools: if you make it ahead, it might need an extra tablespoon of warm water stirred in just before serving.
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice: I learned this the hard way once, and the bowls turned into a starchy, clumpy mess that no amount of sauce could redeem.
03 -
  • If your coconut milk separates, shake the can well before opening, or blend the cream and liquid together briefly before adding to the rice.
  • Taste the peanut sauce before serving and adjust: if it's too salty, add more lime juice; if it's too sweet, add a touch more vinegar.
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