This slow cooker 5-ingredient poor man’s peanut butter chicken is the kind of practical, stick-to-your-ribs supper that has shown up on Midwestern church potluck tables and busy farm kitchens for years, even if it never had a fancy name.
It came about the way a lot of weeknight favorites do: someone looked in the pantry, saw a jar of creamy peanut butter, a few odds and ends, and decided to trust the slow cooker to do the rest.
You simply spread peanut butter right over raw chicken breasts, tuck in three more simple ingredients, and let it all melt together into a cozy, nutty sauce. It’s budget-friendly, forgiving, and just unusual enough that folks will ask, “What’s in this?” as they go back for seconds.
Serve this peanut butter chicken spooned over hot white rice, egg noodles, or even instant mashed potatoes if that’s what you have on hand. A simple side of buttered green beans, frozen peas, or a bagged coleslaw dressed with vinegar and sugar balances the richness nicely.
Warm dinner rolls or plain white bread are good for sopping up the extra sauce, and if you like a little brightness, add a squeeze of lime or a sprinkle of chopped green onion right before serving.
