Peanut Chicken Protein Bowl (Printable Version)

Protein-packed bowl with sautéed chicken, coconut rice, and creamy peanut sauce

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

→ 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
23 - Lime wedges for serving

# Cooking Steps:

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 Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent hours cooking when it barely takes 50 minutes start to finish.
  • The peanut sauce is so good you'll find yourself making extra batches just to drizzle over other things.
  • It's hearty enough to keep you satisfied but light enough that you don't feel sluggish afterward.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice or you'll end up with a starchy, gluey mess instead of fluffy individual grains.
  • The peanut sauce thickens as it cools, so if it seems too thick the next day when you're meal-prepping, just whisk in a tiny splash of warm water.
  • The texture contrast between crisp raw vegetables and warm elements is what makes this bowl shine—don't prep everything ahead and let it sit together.
03 -
  • Make the peanut sauce ahead and keep it in the fridge for up to five days—it actually tastes better after sitting overnight as flavors meld together.
  • Toast the rice in the saucepan with a little oil before adding liquid for an extra layer of nutty flavor that elevates the entire dish.
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