Thai Peanut Chicken in the Slow Cooker

Serves 6 in about 5 hours. The pot starts with ginger, then sriracha heat.

Ingredients

• 2-3 lbs chicken thighs, boneless skinless
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups unsweetened coconut milk
• 5 cloves garlic, pressed
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated (or 2 teaspoons powdered)
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 ½ tablespoons lime juice
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro, divided
• 4 green onions, chopped, divided
• Cooked rice noodles or rice
• Chopped peanuts for garnish
• Sriracha for heat

Method

1. Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray.
2. Stir in chicken thighs to the slow cooker. Season with salt.
3. To a medium bowl, add the coconut milk, garlic, ginger, honey, lime juice, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
4. In a small bowl, heat the peanut butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds to soften it. Then whisk the peanut butter into the sauce until blended.
5. Tip in the peanut sauce over the chicken thighs and mix to coat the pieces thoroughly.
6. Put a lid on and cook on Low for 4 to 6 hours, or until chicken is tender (at least 165°F), stirring 2 or 3 times.
7. With 2 forks shred the chicken in the crock as much as you prefer.
8. Spoon some of the hot peanut sauce into the small bowl. Tip in the cornstarch and carefully whisk it until no lumps remain.
9. Tip in the slurry into the slow cooker and stir. Put a lid on and cook an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the sauce is thickened (stir halfway through).
10. Meanwhile, cook the rice noodles, or rice, if using.
11. When ready to serve, taste and adjust seasoning, if you want it.
12. Tip in half of the chopped cilantro and half of the chopped green onions to the chicken and mix together.
13. Plate chicken and sauce over some cooked rice noodles, or over white or brown rice.
14. Garnish with chopped peanuts, remaining cilantro and green onions, and some red pepper flakes, or Sriracha, if you want it.

More slow cooker ideas are in the slow cooker collection.