One-Pot Spicy Peanut Chicken and Rice

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs simmered with rice in a fragrant, spicy peanut sauce for a comforting one-pot dinner. This asian fusion-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs rinsed long grain white rice, chicken broth, creamy peanut butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Asian Fusion cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1.5-inch pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned but not fully cooked through.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 cloves minced garlic and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger to the pot, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant. Then stir in 1 cup rinsed long grain white rice, coating the grains in the oil and aromatics.
  3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups chicken broth, 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter, 3 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp sriracha sauce until smooth. Pour this sauce over the chicken and rice in the pot.
  4. Step 4: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped green onions and 2 tbsp crushed peanuts before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Spicy Peanut Chicken and Rice take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover One-Pot Spicy Peanut Chicken and Rice?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rinsed long grain white rice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Spicy Peanut Chicken and Rice?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale One-Pot Spicy Peanut Chicken and Rice for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with One-Pot Spicy Peanut Chicken and Rice?

Asian Fusion chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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