Thai Peanut Chicken Quinoa Bowls have the signature flavors of Chicken Pad Thai in protein-packed, gluten-free form. Quick, easy, and delicious!

Thai Peanut Chicken Quinoa Bowls #quinoa #dinner #Thai #recipe @IowaGirlEats | iowagirleats.com

I confess to making a ton of bad Pad Thai in the past, your honor. It was thick, gloopy, and the furthest thing from appetizing. After finally mastering the homemade recipe though (made without Tamarind paste, no less!) I decided to toss the savory, homemade sauce with cooked quinoa to create this healthy, protein packed, gluten free version of Pad Thai.

Thai Peanut Chicken Quinoa Bowls are fresh, flavorful, and fast. A truly fun take on Pad Thai that will leave you full and satisfied for hours after eating!

Thai Peanut Chicken Quinoa Bowls #quinoa #dinner #Thai #recipe @IowaGirlEats | iowagirleats.com

Made with nearly all fridge, freezer and pantry staples, too! Raid the cupboards to get this gorgeous and flavorful meal on the dinner table tonight.

Thai Peanut Chicken Quinoa Bowls #quinoa #dinner #Thai #recipe @IowaGirlEats | iowagirleats.com

Start by rinsing quinoa under cold running water.

Quinoa is naturally coated in a bitter substance called saponin which needs to be rinsed off. Just add the quinoa to a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water. I go an extra step and line my sieve with cheesecloth because hate to lose even a single seed through the mesh!

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After rinsing the quinoa, add it to chicken broth then bring to a boil, place a lid on top, turn the heat down to low, and simmer until all the broth is absorbed and the quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes.

Fluff with a fork then set aside to cool slightly.

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Meanwhile get the Thai Peanut Sauce ready. To a bowl add:

  • Gluten-free tamari
  • Rice vinegar
  • Water
  • Sugar
  • Creamy peanut butter
  • Gluten-free chili garlic sauce

Microwave for 20 seconds then stir with a fork until smooth. Set aside. Sauce = done!

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Now get the rest of the ingredients ready including: 

  • Thinly sliced chicken breast
  • Coleslaw mix
  • Frozen shelled edamame
  • Green onions
  • Egg whisked with sesame oil
  • Chopped roasted peanuts

Thai-Peanut-Chicen-Quinoa-Bowls_iowagirleats_09_mini

My #1 rule for stir frying is to make sure all your ingredients are prepped and ready to go before you start cooking. The actual stir fry process goes too quickly to be chopping or measuring in the middle of it!

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Time to start cookin’! Heat peanut oil (or vegetable or coconut oil) in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper then add to the wok and stir fry until no longer pink. Remove to a place then set aside.

Thai-Peanut-Chicen-Quinoa-Bowls_iowagirleats_11_mini

Heat another teaspoon peanut oil in the wok then add the coleslaw mix, shelled frozen edamame, and green onions. Stir fry until just becoming tender then push to the outsides of the wok.

Thai-Peanut-Chicen-Quinoa-Bowls_iowagirleats_12_mini

In the center of the wok add the egg whisked with sesame oil then stir until just barely scrambled.

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Finally, add the cooked quinoa and chicken back into the wok along with the chopped peanuts and sauce.

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Toss to combine, then serve topped with (LOTS of) extra chopped peanuts!

Thai Peanut Chicken Quinoa Bowls #quinoa #dinner #Thai #recipe @IowaGirlEats | iowagirleats.com

So savory from the peanut sauce, and I just love all the vegetables mixed with fluffy quinoa, and stir fried chicken. Oh and the chopped peanuts!! They’re not to be missed. I hope you enjoy every single bite of this truly delectable take on Chicken Pad Thai!

Thai Peanut Chicken Quinoa Bowls #quinoa #dinner #Thai #recipe @IowaGirlEats | iowagirleats.com

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Thai Peanut Chicken Quinoa Bowls

4 from 1 vote

by Kristin Porter

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Thai Peanut Chicken Quinoa Bowls have the signature flavors of Chicken Pad Thai in protein-packed, gluten-free form. Quick, easy, and delicious!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 1-1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons peanut oil or vegetable oil, divided
  • 1 chicken breast, ~1/1lb, thinly sliced
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 cup coleslaw mix
  • 1/2 cup frozen shelled edamame
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, chopped and divided

For the Thai Peanut Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup gluten free reduced-sodium Tamari, or soy sauce if not GF
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon creamy peanut butter
  • 2 teaspoons gluten free chili garlic sauce

Directions 

  • Add quinoa to a small saucepan with the chicken broth then bring to a boil, place a lid on top, turn heat to low and cook until quinoa has absorbed chicken broth, about 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork then set aside.
  • Combine all sauce ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl then microwave for 20 seconds. Stir until smooth then set aside. Whisk together egg and sesame oil in a small bowl then set aside.
  • Heat 1 teaspoon peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper then add to wok and stir fry until no longer pink. Remove to a plate then set aside.
  • Heat remaining teaspoon peanut oil in wok then add coleslaw mix, frozen edamame, and green onions. Stir fry until tender, 2-3 minutes, then push to outsides of wok, creating a clear space in the center. Add egg whisked with sesame oil to center of wok then stir fry until soft scrambled.
  • Add cooked chicken, quinoa, sauce, and half the chopped peanuts to wok then toss to combine. Serve with remaining chopped peanuts.

Notes

  • Throw in any leftover veggies when you stir fry! You can also make extra quinoa earlier in the week to be ready to make this.

Nutrition

Calories: 274kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 40mg, Sodium: 795mg, Potassium: 459mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 101IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 53mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.

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128 Comments

  1. Monica says:

    This recipe looks fantastic! My mouth is watering.

    I live in the Twin Cities where it is currently -16 but feels like -38. I’m wishing I would have booked a tropical vacation this month!

  2. Tracy says:

    Pretty sure I could drink that peanut sauce!

    Stay warm! It’s freaking cold here in KC too!

  3. erin @hooleywithaz says:

    this is one of the first dishes that has looked appealing to me in days! i haven’t had quinoa in the house forever, i can’t believe i keep forgetting to pick it up!

  4. Ali says:

    I’ve heard The Heat is really funny. I need to watch it soon. I also need to make this dish ASAP. I made a rice noodle thai peanut dish this past weekend. I can’t get enough of that flavor.

  5. Tessa | Balancing Active says:

    Pad thai is my absolute favorite Thai food and up there as one of my favorite foods. I’ll definitely try combining this favorite “classic” since it subs my boyfriend’s favorite grain/starch…win-win recipe for our house.

  6. Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says:

    I love that you switched out quinoa for noodles! This sounds so yummy and your photos are beautiful Kristin!

  7. Katy says:

    Ha, I definitely don’t have any of those ingredients in my kitchen right now, but it looks delicious enough to go to the store for…when it gets above zero again. :)

  8. C. says:

    This looks delicious! I haven’t had much luck making Thai food myself before, but my fails have been in the slow cooker… looking forward to trying this out instead.

  9. steph@stephsbitebybite says:

    Now this is my kind of dinner!! Loving all the flavors going on here!

  10. Anna @ On Anna's Plate says:

    Haha…my husband and I had very similar reactions to that movie. :-) These bowls look awesome!

  11. Ashley | Coffee & Macarons says:

    The Heat was *hilarious*! Ben obviously has bad taste in movies (JK)…but even my husband laughed with me. I LOVE chicken pad thai, so I will definitely have to make this next week!

  12. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says:

    “The Heat” is SO funny! Love that movie!
    But, I love this Thai Peanut Quinoa Bowl more! Swapping out noodles with quinoa is such a genius idea! I can only imagine how good it is with a little crunch from the peanuts with the creamy peanut sauce. Hello yummy!

  13. Rainey says:

    Oh my goodness, The Heat is seriously awesome. You can’t go wrong with those two fantastic actresses, methinks.