Dump and Start Instant Pot African Cinnamon Peanut Butter Chicken

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A traditional African recipe, peanut butter chicken is widely popular all across Africa.

And as is the case with many traditional dishes, such as our beloved Instant Pot Jollof rice, there are fierce debates about which country does it better and the dish’s true origins.

Whilst each region prefers to use different vegetables, meats, and spices, the one common factor amongst the many variations is the main base of peanut butter.

Growing up in Sierra Leone, peanut butter chicken is the first recipe that every Sierra Leonean learns how to cook. And this version, featuring the flavor combination of thick creamy peanut butter and warm fragrant cinnamon, is the one that my family has always made.

Other creamy chicken recipes we love include Creamy Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken and this delicious Caribbean Instant Pot Jerk Chicken Pasta.

Easy Peanut Butter Chicken

Peanut butter is such a well-loved pantry staple, and using it to make this delicious and flavorful dish is a great way to cook up an affordable chicken meal that is slightly different.

This Instant Pot Peanut Butter Chicken recipe takes all of the wonderful flavors of the traditional African dish and puts them into a true “dump and start” Instant Pot recipe.

Making peanut sauce chicken in the Instant Pot really is sooooo easy and simple. Because you can simply add the ingredients, set the Instant Pot, and then just walk away. That’s all there is to it!

WHY MAKE THIS RECIPE

• Easy – it’s incredibly simple to prepare with 5 minutes of prep.
• Family favourite – the whole family love this comfort food classic!
• Filling – makes a hearty and comforting main dish packed with healthier ingredients.
• Affordable – Made from everyday budget friendly ingredients you already own.
• Dietary needs – gluten-free and low carb.

Ready to learn just how easy it is to make this peanut sauce chicken recipe in the Instant Pot? Then gather up your ingredients and I will show you…..

How to Make Instant Pot African Peanut Butter Chicken

Instant Pot Peanut Sauce Chicken Ingredients:

• Skinless chicken breast – cut into bite-sized pieces
•  Coconut milk – liquid and cream divided
•  Tomatoes – use finely chopped tomatoes
•  Tomato paste – purée to balance out the nut butter
•  Green onions – (spring onions), sliced
•  Spices – ground coriander and ground cinnamon add flavor
• Lime juice – add to taste (or use tamari soya)
• Salt – to taste.
• Peanut butter – smooth unsweetened peanut butter
• optional sweetener of choice (i.e. honey, brown sugar, or keto sweetener)

Instant Pot Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe Instructions:

1. Add the chicken to the Instant Pot insert.
2. Pour in the liquid of the coconut milk first, and then add the coconut cream on top of the chicken.
3. Next, layer the tomatoes, tomato paste, onions and spices and Sea Salt Flakes  on top of the coconut cream.
4. Put the peanut butter in last (on the very top) And DO NOT MIX IN.
5. Put the lid on the Instant Pot and turn valve to the sealing position.
6. Set to manual/pressure cook on high pressure for 6 mins. note: cook time does not include time to come up to pressure or for pressure to release.
7. When cook time is done, allow for a complete natural pressure release.
8. Open the lid. The peanut butter will still be on top. Stir until all ingredients are combined and sauce is thickened.
9. Adjust the seasonings in your peanut butter chicken, to taste.
10. Serve and enjoy.

How to Make African Peanut Butter Chicken On The Stovetop

No Instant Pot? No problem! Just follow this recipe for making delicious African peanut butter chicken on the stovetop.

Slow Cooker African Peanut Stew

You can certainly make Slow Cooker African Peanut stew if you prefer.

Peanut Butter Chicken Tips and Timings

• You can vary the spices you add to this peanut butter chicken to suit your taste. For example, freshly grated ginger adds a lovely note. Add 1 tsp minced ginger along with the rest of the spices.
• If you prefer to make peanut sauce chicken with thigh meat, you will need to increase the cooking time.
• This Instant Pot peanut butter chicken is an oil-free recipe.

Should I Brown the Meat When Making Peanut Sauce Chicken?

Browning the chicken before is possible and can add more flavour to your dish. Just add the chicken to the Instant Pot insert, along with a tiny amount of no-calorie cooking spray or oil (to keep the meat from sticking).

Then set your pressure cooker to sauté mode and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is nicely browned. Then turn the Instant Pot off and add the remaining ingredients per the recipe.

However, Instant Pot Peanut Sauce Chicken is meant to be a super easy, dump and start recipe. So browning the chicken is totally optional.

How Do You Thicken Peanut Sauce?

By following this recipe your peanut sauce should turn out thick enough. However, if you prefer it to be even thicker, you can decant the sauce and then boil up on the stovetop.

Just be sure to separate the chicken from the first, as the chicken will overcook.

Peanut Butter Chicken – How To Avoid The Burn Notice

When cooking peanut butter chicken in the Instant Pot, it is important that you layer the ingredients in a particular order to avoid getting the dreaded burn notice.

First, always start by placing the meat on the bottom of the Instant Pot insert. And if desired, you can then brown it using the sauté function before adding the rest of the items.

Then add your liquid, in this case it is coconut milk. Since thicker sauces can burn easily, you will want to pour the coconut milk in first then add the thicker cream portion on top of the chicken. After that, add the tomato paste, onions and spices.

The very last ingredient will be the peanut butter. Make sure this is placed on the very top and it not touching the bottom or sides of the insert.

Chef’s Tip: it is very important that you DO NOT MIX in the peanut butter in prior to cooking. If you do, you will get a burn notice.

What Do You Mean By Coconut Milk And Coconut Cream?

Storage and Prep Ahead

Yeap. This Instant Pot peanut chicken recipe is a great meal prep solution. You can cook, freeze (either as a full meal or in individual servings) and then reheat when needed. Easy peasy!

Because all you’ll need to do is grab the bag out of your freezer and empty the contents into the Instant Pot insert. Note that you’ll need to add 6-10 minutes to the recipe cook time when cooking from frozen.

• Prep ahead – assemble the ingredients in a large zip lock bag, and then freeze until you’re ready to cook. This cook-from-frozen meal prep method is perfect for those ‘too busy to go to the market’ days.
• Store – make ahead, cool and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Thaw – Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. 

More Instant Pot Recipes:

• Instant Pot Indian Butter Chicken. One of the best recipes you will ever make.
• Pressure Cooker Chicken Curry. Better than take out.
• Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. A fab Filipino recipe.
• Instant Pot Ropa Vieja. – Delicious Cuban Stew.
• Instant Pot Sesame Chicken. Easy take out at home.
• Instant Pot West African Style Ribs. Fall of the bone tender.

Serving Suggestions 

In Africa, peanut butter chicken is served with Instant Pot Brown Rice or fluffy Instant Pot Quinoa. But if you want to keep this a low carb meal, then just swap in some cauliflower rice instead.

And this African Cinnamon Peanut Butter Chicken also tastes delicious served with these sides like Instant Pot Broccoli, easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes and

Weight Watchers Points

There are 8 Blue Plan SmartPoints in a serving of Instant Pot peanut sauce chicken.

Thank you for reading my Pressure Cooker Peanut Butter Chicken post. And please come visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, UK food blog.

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