Chicken Satay is a beloved Southeast Asian street food featuring juicy grilled chicken skewers paired with a luscious, creamy peanut sauce. Whether you're craving a comforting weeknight dinner or something to impress at your next gathering, this Chicken Satay with Easy Peanut Sauce Recipe delivers balanced flavors with minimal fuss. Once you try it, you'll find yourself reaching for the skewers again and again.
Jump to:
What Sets This Apart
This Chicken Satay with Easy Peanut Sauce Recipe strikes the perfect harmony between sweet, savory, and subtly spiced flavors. The marinade tenderizes the chicken beautifully, while the peanut sauce brings a rich, nutty creaminess that's never overpowering.
- Consistent Results: The simple marinade and quick grill time mean you get juicy chicken every time without guesswork.
- Rich, Balanced Flavor: Coconut milk and curry powder in the marinade offer a subtle complexity that elevates classic satay.
- Pantry-First Ingredients: Most elements come from your kitchen staples, so it's easy to whip up last minute.
- Weeknight Friendly: Ready in under 40 minutes, perfect if you want bold taste without a long prep.
Ingredient Snapshot
I always recommend using fresh ingredients when you can, especially for the chicken and aromatics in this Chicken Satay with Easy Peanut Sauce Recipe. Quality peanut butter and a good curry powder will shine through, so choose ones you enjoy eating straight.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Choose firm, fresh chicken to ensure juicy, tender skewers after grilling.
- Coconut milk: Use canned, full-fat for creaminess and authentic flavor.
- Curry powder: Opt for a fragrant, balanced blend-not too hot-to complement the peanut sauce.
- Creamy peanut butter: Smooth works best for a silky peanut sauce texture.
Quick Note: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.
How to Make Chicken Satay with Easy Peanut Sauce Recipe
Step 1 - Prep & Season
Start by slicing your chicken breasts into uniform strips-this helps them cook evenly and stay juicy. Whisk together the soy sauce, coconut milk, brown sugar, curry powder, minced garlic, turmeric, and black pepper in a bowl. Toss your chicken in this marinade, making sure every piece is glossy and well-coated. I like to let it rest at least 20 minutes to absorb all those lovely flavors, but if you're pressed for time, even 10 works. Just don't skip the marinade-it's key to that signature taste.
Step 2 - Build Flavor
While the chicken soaks up the marinade, mix your peanut sauce. Combine creamy peanut butter, freshly squeezed lime juice, hoisin sauce, honey, and warm water in a small bowl. Stir until you get a smooth, glossy sauce. You'll notice it has that perfect balance of tang, sweetness, and richness. Adjust lime or honey if you want more zing or sweetness. This sauce is the heart of the dish, so take a moment to tailor it to your liking.
Step 3 - Finish for Best Texture
Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers-you can use wooden ones soaked in water, so they don't burn, or metal skewers. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers about 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until they're golden with slight char marks and cooked through. The chicken should feel firm but springy to the touch. Avoid overcooking, as it dries out the meat quickly. When done, let the skewers rest a few minutes before serving alongside your peanut sauce for dipping.
Cook's Notes & Tricks
Through trial and error, I found that swirling the marinade occasionally and letting the chicken soak up each flavor really lifts the dish. Also, grilling over medium-high heat gives that sought-after smoky edge without burning the peanut sauce later on.
- Doneness Cue: Chicken turns opaque and juices run clear; no pink inside.
- Temperature Trick: Maintain a steady medium-high heat for even cooking and caramelization.
- Make-Ahead Move: Marinate chicken up to 4 hours ahead and keep sauce chilled separately.
- Avoid This Pitfall: Don't add peanut sauce to the grill-it burns quickly; serve it on the side.
Serve & Enjoy
Finishing Touches
For serving, I love sprinkling freshly chopped cilantro or scallions over the skewers for a fresh pop. A wedge of lime alongside lets you squeeze extra brightness onto the chicken and sauce. These little additions bring an inviting, restaurant-quality finish that's still super approachable at home.
Pairs Beautifully With
This Chicken Satay with Easy Peanut Sauce Recipe pairs exceptionally well with steamed jasmine rice or coconut rice to soak up every drop. A crunchy cucumber salad or pickled vegetables add a crisp contrast that balances richness beautifully. You'll enjoy the mix of textures and flavors.
Simple Plating Wins
For a casual dinner, plate skewers on banana leaves or wooden boards for that street-food vibe. Garnish with sliced chilies or crushed peanuts for extra crunch. If you're entertaining, arrange skewers fan-style around a bowl of peanut sauce in the center for easy sharing-it looks gorgeous and invites everyone to dig in.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheat
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover chicken satay skewers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The chicken stays tender, but the peanut sauce is best kept separate to maintain freshness and prevent thickening. You'll notice the sauce thickens in the fridge-just stir in a splash of warm water before serving again.
Freezing Tips
This dish freezes well if you separate skewers and sauce before freezing. Wrap chicken skewers tightly in foil and place in freezer bags. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Peanut sauce freezes too, but texture may change slightly, so fresh batch is my preference if possible.
Reheating Chicken Satay with Easy Peanut Sauce Recipe Without Drying Out
Reheat skewers gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) wrapped in foil for about 10-12 minutes to keep them juicy. You can also use a microwave covered loosely with a damp paper towel in short bursts. Avoid direct high heat, which can dry out the chicken. Warm the peanut sauce separately over low heat, thinning with water if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Thighs provide more fat and tenderness, making your satay extra juicy. Just adjust cooking time slightly as thighs may take a bit longer.
This sauce is mild and creamy with balanced sweet and tangy notes. If you prefer heat, you can add a pinch of chili flakes or sriracha.
Yes, soaking wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes prevents them from catching fire on the grill.
This recipe is naturally dairy-free as it uses coconut milk and no butter or cream.
Final Thoughts
I love how this Chicken Satay with Easy Peanut Sauce Recipe manages to feel both exotic and homey at the same time. The quick marinade, simple grilling, and versatile sauce create a dish that's approachable but anything but basic. It's perfect for impressing your family or friends without stressing over complicated steps-just honest, delicious food that brings people together. So go ahead, grill those skewers, dip generously, and savor each bite!
PrintFull Recipe
Chicken Satay with Easy Peanut Sauce Recipe
Chicken Satay with an Easy Peanut Sauce is a delicious and comforting dish featuring tender marinated chicken strips grilled to perfection and served with a creamy, tangy peanut sauce. This recipe combines a flavorful blend of spices and a quick homemade peanut sauce that adds a tasty twist to this classic favorite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Southeast Asian
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Peanut Sauce
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ cup warm water
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, coconut milk, brown sugar, curry powder, minced garlic, ground turmeric, and black pepper. Mix well to create the marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken strips to the marinade, making sure they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
- Skewer the Chicken: Thread the marinated chicken strips onto skewers, ensuring they are evenly spaced for consistent cooking.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for 6-8 minutes per side until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks.
- Prepare the Peanut Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together creamy peanut butter, lime juice, hoisin sauce, honey, and warm water until smooth and well combined.
- Serve: Remove chicken from skewers, arrange on a serving plate, and serve with the peanut sauce for dipping or drizzling.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a teaspoon of chili flakes or sriracha to the marinade or peanut sauce.
- If you don't have a grill, cook the skewered chicken under a preheated broiler or on a stovetop grill pan.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning.
- The peanut sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use natural peanut butter without added sugar for a healthier option.
Leave a Reply