Irresistible Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce Recipe for Tonight

Succulent chicken satay dancing with vibrant peanut sauce promises a culinary adventure that’ll make you dream of Southeast Asian street markets.

Skewers loaded with marinated meat carry bold flavors from traditional Indonesian cooking techniques.

Fragrant spices weave magic through tender chicken pieces, creating an irresistible dish that speaks directly to your taste buds.

Marinades infused with turmeric, garlic, and lemongrass deliver complex layers of satisfaction in every bite.

Each morsel promises a perfect balance between smoky grilled protein and creamy, nutty sauce that connects you to generations of passionate cooks.

Simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary, turning an ordinary meal into a memorable experience.

Let’s unlock this delectable journey that transforms your kitchen into a flavor destination.

Why Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce Is So Tasty

• Flavor Explosion: Dive into a tantalizing mix of Thai-inspired spices that transform ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering adventure with every single bite.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Perfect for casual gatherings, game nights, or family dinners where everyone craves something deliciously different from standard chicken recipes.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust spice levels and garnishes to suit individual preferences, making this recipe incredibly adaptable for various taste buds and dietary needs.
• Grill-Friendly Delight: Simple grilling technique ensures beautiful char marks and juicy chicken, giving restaurant-quality results without complex cooking skills.

Ingredients Needed For Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce

• Chicken Strips: Tender protein that absorbs the marinade and provides the core flavor of the dish.

• Coconut Milk: Creamy liquid that tenderizes the chicken and adds richness.
• Soy Sauce: Provides saltiness and depth of flavor.
• Red Curry Paste: Adds spicy and aromatic notes to the marinade.
• Fish Sauce: Enhances umami and brings complexity to the marinade.
• Brown Sugar: Balances the savory flavors with a touch of sweetness.
• Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic base to the marinade.
• Curry Powder: Contributes warm and earthy spice notes.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning.
• White Pepper: Provides a subtle heat and depth.

• Peanut Butter: Creamy base that creates the rich and thick sauce.
• Coconut Milk, Brown Sugar, Red Curry Paste, Soy Sauce, Fish Sauce, Lime Juice: Complementary ingredients that balance and enhance the peanut sauce.

• Chopped Peanuts, Sliced Red Chilis, Lime Wedges, Fresh Cilantro: Add texture, heat, acidity, and fresh herbal notes to the final dish.

• Wooden Skewers: Used for grilling the chicken.
• Cooking Oil: Prevents chicken from sticking to the grill pan.

How To Make Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce

Step 1: Whip Up Flavorful Marinade

Grab a large mixing bowl and blend together coconut milk, soy sauce, red curry paste, fish sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, curry powder, salt, and white pepper until everything is silky smooth. Drop chicken strips into the marinade and toss until each piece is beautifully coated. Cover and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or overnight for maximum taste explosion.

Step 2: Create Creamy Peanut Sauce

• Peanut butter
• Coconut milk
• Brown sugar
• Red curry paste
• Soy sauce
• Fish sauce
• Lime juice

Whisk everything until super smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until it thickens into a luscious sauce. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Prepare Skewers

If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling. Thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers, making sure to discard any leftover marinade.

Step 4: Grill to Perfection

Fire up your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. If using a grill pan, add a touch of oil to prevent sticking. Grill the chicken skewers for 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a beautiful light char and are cooked completely through.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Plate the sizzling chicken satay skewers with the creamy peanut sauce on the side for dipping. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts, thinly sliced red chilis, fresh lime wedges, and a handful of vibrant cilantro. Get ready to dive into a flavor-packed meal!

Helpful Hints For Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce

• Maximize Marinade Magic: Let chicken soak in the marinade overnight to develop deeper, richer flavors that'll make your taste buds dance.
• Prevent Skewer Burning: Always soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to stop them from catching fire and ruining your delicious chicken.
• Sauce Smoothness Trick: Whisk peanut sauce ingredients continuously while simmering to ensure a silky, lump-free consistency that coats your chicken perfectly.
• Grill with Confidence: Use medium-high heat and watch for light char marks, which indicate perfectly cooked chicken that's juicy inside and crispy outside.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace brown sugar with a sugar-free sweetener like stevia to make this recipe diabetic and keto-friendly without sacrificing incredible flavor.

Flavorful Variations Of Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce

• Vegetarian Satay: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, cut into strips, and marinate using the same sauce. Grill or pan-fry until crispy and golden.
• Beef Satay Alternative: Swap chicken with thinly sliced beef sirloin, using identical marinade and cooking method. Perfect for red meat lovers seeking a different protein option.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of soy sauce, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Check red curry paste labels to confirm no hidden gluten components.
• Low-Carb Version: Skip brown sugar in marinade and sauce, replace with monk fruit sweetener. Use cauliflower skewers or zucchini strips as alternative base for health-conscious eaters.

Best Pairings For Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce

• Pair with Crisp Beverages: Choose light, refreshing Thai-style beers like Singha or Chang that cut through the rich peanut sauce and complement the spicy marinade.
• Create Balanced Side Dishes: Serve with cucumber salad featuring rice vinegar and fresh herbs to provide a cool, tangy contrast against the warm, spicy chicken satay.
• Match with Aromatic Wines: Select off-dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer with slight sweetness that balances the dish's heat and enhances the complex flavor profile of the satay.
• Elevate with Tropical Cocktails: Craft a lemongrass mojito or ginger-lime spritzer that echoes the Southeast Asian ingredients and provides a bright, zesty counterpoint to the savory skewers.

How To Store Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce

• Transfer leftover chicken satay and peanut sauce to separate airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, keeping sauce and chicken separate to maintain texture.
• Wrap cooled chicken skewers individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze peanut sauce in small containers. Store frozen for up to 2 months. Label with date.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken skewers on baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-12 minutes until heated through. Microwave sauce in 30-second intervals, stirring between.
• Warm skillet over medium-low heat.

FAQs About Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce

• What is the key to a flavorful marinade?

The marinade’s secret is combining coconut milk, soy sauce, red curry paste, and multiple spices like curry powder and garlic, which helps tenderize the chicken and infuse deep, complex flavors.

• Can I make this recipe without a grill?

Yes, you can use a grill pan or even bake the skewers in the oven at 425°F for about 12-15 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

• How spicy is this chicken satay?

The recipe has a mild to moderate heat level from red curry paste, but you can adjust the spiciness by reducing or increasing the amount of curry paste to suit your taste preferences.

Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Succulent chicken satay celebrates Southeast Asian flavors with perfectly grilled skewers marinated in aromatic spices. Creamy peanut sauce and tender chicken create an irresistible combination you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken (thighs, breasts, or tenders), cut into 1-inch strips
• 16 skewers

Marinade and Seasoning:

• 1/3 cup coconut milk
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon red curry paste
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Peanut Sauce and Garnish:

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon red curry paste
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• chopped roasted peanuts
• sliced red chilis
• lime wedges
• cilantro leaves

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Instructions

1. Prepare the marinade by blending coconut milk, soy sauce, red curry paste, fish sauce, brown sugar, garlic, curry powder, salt, and white pepper into a smooth mixture. Coat chicken strips thoroughly and refrigerate for 1-4 hours to infuse flavors.
2. Craft the peanut sauce by whisking peanut butter, coconut milk, brown sugar, red curry paste, soy sauce, fish sauce, and lime juice in a saucepan. Simmer at medium heat for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and develops a rich consistency.
3. Submerge wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent scorching during grilling. Remove chicken from marinade and thread strips onto prepared skewers.
4. Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature (around 400°F). Lightly oil cooking surface to prevent sticking. Grill chicken skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, ensuring a golden-brown char and complete internal cooking.
5. Plate the satay skewers with peanut sauce for dipping. Enhance presentation by sprinkling chopped peanuts, scattering sliced red chilis, adding lime wedges, and garnishing with fresh cilantro.

Notes

• Marinate chicken overnight to intensify the deep, complex flavors and ensure tender, juicy meat that melts in your mouth.
• Soak wooden skewers thoroughly to prevent burning and potential fire hazards during grilling, which can ruin the delicate chicken texture.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, making the dish suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing red curry paste, allowing customization for different heat tolerances while maintaining the authentic Thai-inspired profile.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Indonesian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 321 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 710 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg