Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line your 9x9 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, brown sugar, and melted butter. Use a spatula to stir until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and fragrant—this usually takes about a minute and will start to feel slightly sticky.
Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of sea salt, blending everything together until well incorporated and fragrant.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda to ensure they are evenly combined and aerated.
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, folding gently with your spatula until just combined. The dough will be thick, slightly sticky, and invitingly fragrant.
Fold in the chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough—this will add melty pockets of chocolate once baked.
Spread the dough evenly into your prepared pan, pressing it down firmly with the spatula to create a smooth, level surface.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown and the center is slightly firm to the touch.
Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the top while the bars are still warm—this simple touch enhances the salty-sweet flavor.
Let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment overhang and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, cut into squares with a sharp knife or bench scraper, wiping the blade clean between cuts for neat, even pieces. Enjoy these chewy, salty-sweet bars at room temperature or chilled for a firmer bite.