If you ask me, Low Carb Peanut Chicken Skillet is the perfect answer for a weeknight when you need dinner fast but your stomach says “no more boring.” Ever open the fridge and just sigh? Yeah. We’ve all been there. You want something easy, but not just another dry chicken breast. Enter this peanut butter chicken magic—it’s quick, it’s cozy, and nobody at my table complains, not even the picky one. Yep, thirty minutes. Grab a skillet, crank up the tunes, and let’s squash the dreaded what’s-for-dinner dilemma once and for all.
Ingredients in Peanut Chicken Skillet
Okay, before you get started, here’s what you’ll need for the main event. Most of it’s probably kicking around your pantry already. That’s honestly the best thing about this dish. Chicken breast or thighs (I’ll be real, thighs have more flavor), a dollop of creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic, fresh ginger (or powdered if you forgot to buy the fresh stuff—no guilt), and a splash of lime. Don’t forget a bit of low-carb sweetener if the mood strikes.
Turn up the heat with a shake of chili flakes, or keep it mild if you’ve got little ones. A sprinkle of green onions on top at the end is chef’s kiss, but I’ve been known to skip it when in a hurry. Tastes like five-star takeout, but no delivery fees or mystery carbs to worry about.
If you ever want to mix things up, check out the options over at Delicious Low Carb Chicken Scarpariello. Their spice game is pretty wild over there.
How to Make Peanut Butter Chicken
Here’s the fun part—and let’s face it, the messiest. Grab your biggest skillet. Sear that chicken in a splash of oil, just until it gets all golden and mouthwatering. The smell alone might bring your family into the kitchen, trust me.
Once your chicken’s done, toss in the garlic and ginger. The trick here is not to burn it, so keep things moving. Dump in your peanut butter, soy sauce, and a little water to thin it all out. Stir like you mean it, then let things bubble for a minute or two until the sauce is silky and glossy. Chicken goes back in, gets coated in that peanut sauce, and done. You could stop here, but I usually give it one more squeeze of lime because extra flavor is never a bad thing.
Just for fun, my friend tried this Delicious Low Carb Peanut Chicken Skillet in Just 30 Minutes and sent a photo. She had seconds. No joke.
“This was so speedy, and everyone thought I’d slaved away! Seriously, best weeknight dinner I’ve made in ages.” — Janine G., real actual human
Recipe Tips and Variations
If you’re anything like me, you like wiggle room in your recipes. You don’t need to follow every step with a magnifying glass. Got almond butter? Use it instead of peanut. Tired of chicken? Turkey works. Vegan kids hanging around? Sub in tofu, I promise it still rocks. Also, if you’re worried about sodium, go with low-sodium soy sauce, or even coconut aminos.
I’ve played around with all sorts of add-ins: snap peas, spinach, sometimes just leftover broccoli lurking in my fridge. Toss those in at the end for bonus nutrition. If you prefer spicy, grab sriracha or red pepper flakes. Sky’s the limit, and honestly, no one in my house complains about “too much flavor.” Ha.
Want some more ideas for swapping things up? Peek at these Deliciously Easy Low Carb Chicken Enchilada Roll Ups. Seriously, variety is the spice and all that.
What to Serve with this Keto Peanut Butter Chicken
Alright, so you’ve got your low carb peanut chicken skillet at the ready, but… what’s it going with? Here are some no-fuss sides I mash up with this meal:
- Cauliflower rice (stir-fry it with a sprinkle of garlic salt)
- Zucchini noodles (the kids call them “zoodles”—so fancy)
- Steamed broccoli (or any veggies you need to hide from the back of the fridge)
- Simple green salad with a limey dressing
Truth be told, I’ve even seen people dipping lettuce leaves right in the sauce while standing at the stove. Not naming names. If you want more easy low carb comfort sides, the Creamy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Low Carb That Rocks is a sleeper hit at my place.
Are Peanuts Keto
So, are peanuts actually cool if you’re low carb? Quick answer—yep, mostly. Peanuts are technically legumes, not nuts, but in small-ish amounts they fit into keto just fine. Stick to unsweetened peanut butter to keep carbs lower. Plus, that protein does wonders for staying full longer.
Some folks worry about whether peanuts are a “clean” keto food or not, but honestly, unless you’re super strict, they fit right in. Portion control’s your friend though. Scoop responsibly! Oh, and if you’re trying other low carb stuff, these Delicious Low Carb Taco Cabbage Skillet roots have saved me on many a busy night.
Common Questions
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Oh for sure, and it’ll give it even more texture. Big thumbs up.
Will this work with frozen chicken?
If you thaw it first, yes! Straight-from-frozen isn’t ideal since it gets watery, but I’ve been guilty of tossing in frozen thighs in a panic. Just cook a little longer.
Is this recipe spicy?
Only if you want it to be. I keep it calm for the kids, then sneak in sriracha for the grown-ups at the table.
Can I meal-prep this?
Absolutely, just keep the sauce and chicken separate till you reheat, or else the sauce gets too thick. Also, check out some Delicious Low Carb Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps for a Quick Meal if you’re on a roll with the whole meal-prep idea.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Stovetop is best, maybe with a touch of water or broth to thin the sauce. Microwaves work but can make chicken a bit rubbery if you nuke it too long.
Relatable Meals, Real Results
So that’s the scoop, friends. With a few pantry basics and a little peanut butter, you can have a low carb peanut chicken skillet dinner on the table faster than it takes to order pizza. I’m convinced it’ll be a go-to.
For even more inspiration, you could check out Peanut Chicken Skillet | Peace Love and Low Carb for their spin, or browse the whole low carb recipes collection. Trust me, if I can get my whole family asking for seconds, you can too. Have fun with it, and don’t forget to tag me if you create a masterpiece!
Low Carb Peanut Chicken Skillet
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs Use whichever you prefer.
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter Go for a natural variety.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce or coconut aminos Coconut aminos for a keto option.
- 2 cloves garlic Fresh is ideal, but bottled works too.
- 1 inch fresh ginger Grated or minced.
- 2 tablespoons lime juice Adds brightness to the dish.
- 1 tablespoon low carb sweetener Like allulose or stevia, optional.
- 1 cup broth Chicken or vegetable broth.
- 2 cups bell peppers and broccoli Or any other low-carb veggies.
For Serving
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts Optional garnish.
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onion Optional garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Grab a large skillet and heat it to medium-high.
- Add the diced chicken and let it brown, about 5 minutes.
Cooking
- Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, lime juice, and sweetener in a mug.
- Pour the mixture into the skillet with the chicken, along with the broth.
- Stir well and add the chopped veggies; stir again.
- Reduce the heat and cover, cooking for an additional 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and veggies are softened.
- If the sauce is too thick, add more broth or water; if too thin, let it cook a bit longer.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, lime, or more peanut butter as desired.
