Start by preparing the sauce. In your slow cooker, add peanut butter, honey, soy sauce, garlic, sriracha, and coconut milk. Whisk these together until they form a smooth, well-combined sauce. The peanut butter should melt slightly, making it easier to mix with the other ingredients.
Next, add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker. Make sure they are coated well with the sauce. Slice the red bell pepper thinly and scatter it over the chicken. This way, the flavors will meld as it cooks.
Cover your slow cooker with the lid. Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. When finished, the chicken should be tender and easy to shred. It's best not to lift the lid too often, as this can affect the cooking time.
Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker using a slotted spoon. Place it on a cutting board and shred it with two forks. The chicken should fall apart easily!
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce. This will ensure every piece of chicken is coated with that delicious peanut sauce. Let it simmer on warm while you prepare the rice.
For the rice, place a medium pot over medium heat. Add coconut oil and let it melt. Then add the thai sticky purple rice and toast it for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. This step adds extra flavor to the rice.
After toasting, add water to the pot and bring it to a boil. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for 25 minutes. If you are using a different rice type, be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
When the rice is done, remove it from the heat but leave the lid on for an additional 5 minutes to let it steam. This will make it perfectly fluffy!
Now it’s time to assemble your bowls. Start by evenly distributing the purple rice onto plates or bowls. Top with the shredded chicken and sauce. Feel free to add hot sauce, crushed peanuts, and fresh cilantro as toppings if desired.
If you're meal prepping, divide the chicken and rice into containers. It’s best to leave off the toppings until you’re ready to eat. This Slow Cooker Thai Inspired Peanut Chicken also doubles well, so feel free to make a bigger batch for a crowd!
