This Peanut Crockpot Stir Fry is a delightful blend of tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a rich, creamy peanut sauce, all slow-cooked to perfection. Each bite bursts with a harmonious mix of savory, nutty, and slightly sweet flavors, making it a comforting and satisfying meal for any day of the week. The vibrant colors of the bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots create a visually stunning dish that looks as good as it tastes. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and versatility. It’s a perfect set-it-and-forget-it meal that frees up your time while delivering a delicious dinner with minimal effort. Serve it over a bed of fragrant jasmine rice and garnish with crunchy peanuts, fresh green onions, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an extra layer of texture and flavor. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or feeding a hungry family, this slow cooker recipe is sure to be a hit!
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup snow peas
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (for thickening)
- ¼ cup roasted peanuts, for garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Directions:
- In a slow cooker, add the chicken, broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, and snow peas.
- In a bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes until smooth. Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.
- 30 minutes before the cooking time ends, mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl, then stir it into the slow cooker. This will help thicken the sauce.
- In the meantime, cook the jasmine rice according to package instructions.
- Once the stir fry is ready, serve it over jasmine rice and garnish with roasted peanuts, green onions, and sesame seeds.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 4 hours | Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Kcal: 385 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Peanut Crockpot Stir Fry: A Perfect Blend of Flavor, Simplicity, and Nutrition
When it comes to weeknight dinners, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the need to balance flavor, nutrition, and convenience. Enter Peanut Crockpot Stir Fry—a dish that checks all the boxes. It’s a hearty, wholesome meal that brings together the rich, creamy goodness of peanut sauce with the vibrant colors and textures of fresh vegetables, tender chicken, and aromatic jasmine rice. This slow cooker recipe not only satisfies your cravings but also saves you precious time in the kitchen, making it a must-have addition to your meal rotation.
A Dish with Global Inspiration
The Peanut Crockpot Stir Fry is inspired by the bold and rich flavors of Southeast Asian cuisine, particularly Thai and Indonesian dishes, where peanuts and coconut milk play a significant role. The creamy peanut sauce is reminiscent of classic Thai peanut satay sauce, while the addition of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic infuses the dish with layers of umami and depth. By using a slow cooker, this recipe adapts traditional stir fry techniques into a hands-off cooking process, allowing the flavors to meld together slowly, resulting in a deeply flavorful and aromatic dish.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
- Hands-Free Cooking
One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is its simplicity. Unlike traditional stir-fry dishes that require constant attention at the stovetop, the Peanut Crockpot Stir Fry allows you to “set it and forget it.” Simply add your ingredients to the slow cooker, mix the sauce, and let it cook while you go about your day. This makes it perfect for busy individuals, families, or anyone looking for a low-maintenance meal that still delivers restaurant-quality results. - Nutrient-Rich and Balanced
This dish offers a well-rounded nutritional profile. It combines lean protein from the chicken, fiber and antioxidants from a variety of colorful vegetables, healthy fats from peanut butter and coconut milk, and energy-boosting carbohydrates from jasmine rice. The vegetables, such as broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, and snow peas, are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, while the ginger and garlic provide anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting benefits. This makes the recipe not only delicious but also incredibly nourishing. - Customizable for Various Diets
Whether you’re cooking for a picky eater or someone with dietary restrictions, this Peanut Crockpot Stir Fry is highly adaptable. For a vegetarian or vegan version, simply swap out the chicken for tofu, chickpeas, or tempeh and use a plant-based peanut butter and coconut milk. If you’re gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. You can also adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes, depending on your heat tolerance. - A Crowd-Pleasing Meal
This dish is a hit with both kids and adults alike. The creamy peanut sauce has a comforting, nutty flavor that appeals to a wide range of palates, while the colorful vegetables add a fun and vibrant touch to the plate. Serve it for a family dinner, a meal prep for the week, or even as a dish to impress guests at a casual gathering. The garnish of crunchy roasted peanuts, fresh green onions, and sesame seeds adds an extra layer of flavor and texture, making every bite satisfying.
Health Benefits of Key Ingredients
- Peanuts and Peanut Butter:
Peanuts are an excellent source of healthy monounsaturated fats, which are known to support heart health. They’re also rich in protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, magnesium, and folate. Peanut butter in this recipe provides a creamy base that not only enhances the flavor but also keeps you feeling full and satisfied. - Coconut Milk:
Coconut milk adds a rich, velvety texture to the sauce and is packed with healthy fats known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). These fats are easily metabolized by the body and can provide a quick source of energy. Additionally, coconut milk contains antioxidants and may help improve digestion and boost immunity. - Broccoli and Bell Peppers:
Broccoli is a powerhouse vegetable rich in vitamins C and K, fiber, and powerful antioxidants like sulforaphane, which may help reduce inflammation and support overall health. Bell peppers, on the other hand, are loaded with vitamin C and carotenoids, which are essential for maintaining healthy skin, immune function, and eye health. - Ginger and Garlic:
These aromatic ingredients not only enhance the flavor of the dish but also offer numerous health benefits. Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties, while garlic is a natural antibiotic and immune booster. Together, they add a punch of flavor and nutrition to the dish.
Cooking Tips and Variations
- Choosing the Right Peanut Butter:
For the best results, use natural peanut butter without added sugars or hydrogenated oils. The natural version has a purer peanut flavor and provides a creamier consistency for the sauce. - Substituting Vegetables:
Feel free to mix and match vegetables based on what you have on hand. Cauliflower, zucchini, snap peas, or even baby corn would work beautifully in this recipe. Adding a handful of spinach or kale towards the end of cooking can also boost the nutritional value. - Making It Spicy:
If you love a bit of heat, consider adding a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. Alternatively, garnish the finished dish with sliced red chili peppers for an extra kick. - Thickening the Sauce:
The cornstarch and water mixture helps thicken the sauce to a perfect consistency. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add an extra teaspoon of cornstarch. If the sauce is too thick, simply stir in a little more coconut milk or water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Meal Prep and Storage
This Peanut Crockpot Stir Fry is an excellent meal prep option. You can cook a large batch and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It reheats well in the microwave or on the stovetop, making it a convenient lunch or dinner throughout the week. If you want to freeze it, store the stir fry (without the rice) in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
Conclusion
At its core, the Peanut Crockpot Stir Fry is all about making life easier without compromising on flavor or nutrition. It’s the kind of dish that feels indulgent but is actually quite healthy, making it perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a balanced diet. With its global flavors, minimal prep, and hands-off cooking method, it’s a recipe you’ll find yourself returning to time and time again.
