This recipe has quickly turned into one of my favorites.
Peanut Butter Chicken & Celery
The texture of the crispy chicken mixed with peanut sauce and veggies is a magical experience!
There are a few steps to this one. Let me try to break it down for you.
Ingredients
Peanut aminos sauce
Instructions
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Start by thinly slicing your celery and onions, quarter them and set aside.
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Make your peanut aminos sauce. Add peanut butter, maple syrup and ground ginger to a small bowl and mix. Then add coco aminos, mix and set aside. I’ve found it blends better adding aminos last.
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Rinse and trim your chicken thighs. I like to trim any fat then cut each thigh in half. It cooks faster this way. I use kitchen scissors to do so. Lightly salt and pepper both sides of your chicken.
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I use 2 large frying pans to make this dish. Warm 1 tablespoon of extra light olive oil and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil in each pan over medium high heat.
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Once your oil is hot, swirl the oils to coat your pans then add your chicken. Your chicken should sizzle when you place it. Try to divide evenly amongst pans for even cooking. Fry on medium high for 2 minutes. Use a spatula to flip then press down on each piece. Cook for another 2 minutes. Repeat this process until your chicken is nice and crispy, about 10 – 12 minutes.
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Remove chicken from your pans and slice or shred into small pieces. Set aside.
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You will use both of your chicken pans to cook your celery and onions. Do not clean them as the leftover oil and chicken bits will add flavor to your veggies. Make sure your pans are still hot over medium high heat.
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Add sliced celery to one pan. Add sliced onion to the other. Drizzle olive oil over veggies if your pan is too dry. Cook for 10 minutes stirring often.
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During the last minute of cooking celery, drizzle a few tablespoons of peanut aminos sauce over celery. Finish cooking to caramelize.
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During the last minute add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic to your onion pan. Stir and finish cooking until caramelized.
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Add cooked celery and onions to a large bowl and set aside.
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Return your sliced chicken back to one of the pans on low heat. Pour remaining peanut aminos sauce over your chicken, mixing to coat.
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Allow the sauce to warm and meld to chicken for about 5 minutes. Keep your heat low to prevent burn.
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Add your coated chicken to your veggie bowl and stir.
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I usually eat this meal for my work lunch. I divide amongst containers so I am prepped for the week. This would also be great over rice or whatever grain you may eat.
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I hope you love it as much as I do!