Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

Come savor the delights of my Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce, a cherished Southeast Asian classic that offers a mouthwatering blend of flavors! With tender marinated chicken skewers and a homemade peanut sauce crafted from natural ingredients, this recipe is a must-try for anyone seeking a delicious and guilt-free meal!

Healthy chicken satay recipe being dipped into a homemade peanut sauce.

Why I Love This Recipe

My Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce is a beloved Southeast Asian dish that features tender, marinated chicken chunks skewered and baked to golden perfection, and it’s incredibly easy to make! Marinated in a flavorful blend of coconut milk, soy sauce, turmeric, garlic, and more, the chicken is infused with savory and slightly spicy notes. My handcrafted creamy peanut sauce, made from peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, lime juice, and sweetener, adds a nutty sweetness with a hint of spice that really sets this dish off!

My recipe is perfect for those craving authentic Southeast Asian flavors in a quick and satisfying meal made from natural ingredients. With minimal prep time, it’s your go-to choice for a quick and satisfying meal that rivals restaurant quality, I promise! Just like my Thai-inspired Chicken Lettuce Wraps, this recipe features a delicious homemade peanut sauce made with real, natural ingredients. So give it a try and enjoy the goodness of this dish!

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • Chicken – boneless and skinless chicken thigh. Can substitute with chicken breast if preferred.
  • Coconut Milk – pure Coconut Milk unsweetened with no added flavor.
  • Soy Sauce – low-sodium Soy Sauce preferred. Can also use tamari for gluten-free.
  • Turmeric – Ground Turmeric in a bottle.
  • Garlic– freshly grated garlic.
  • Sweetener –  use your preferred sweetener.
  • Fish Sauce – premixed Fish Sauce in a bottle.
  • Lime – fresh lime juice.
  • Chili Paste – Asian style  Chili Garlic Sauce , can sub with Sriracha
  • Peanut Butter – preferred brand of peanut butter.

Ingredients to make chicken satay recipe on the countertop.

Essential Kitchen Equipment

🍢 Skewer Pro Tip

Opting for Metal Skewers offers a hassle-free and safe baking experience, as they eliminate concerns about the skewers catching on fire.

Directions

Step 1 Marinate cubed chicken pieces in a mixture of coconut milk, soy sauce, ground turmeric, grated garlic, sweetener, fish sauce, lime juice, and chili garlic sauce for at least 1 hour, ideally overnight for 12 hours.

Chicken marinated in peanut sauce.

Step 2 For the peanut sauce, combine peanut butter with a blend of coconut milk, soy sauce, lime juice, sweetener, and grated garlic.

Peanut sauce being combined.

💡 Extra Flavor Pro Tip

Enhance the peanut sauce with a burst of additional flavor by incorporating Freshly Grated Ginger.

Step 3 Prepare chicken satay skewers by threading the marinated chicken onto skewers and bake at 350F for 15 minutes rotating once until golden brown.

Chicken skewer about to be baked.

🌡 Internal Temperature Check

Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This ensures that the chicken is thoroughly cooked and safe to eat.

Step 4 Serve the chicken skewers with peanut sauce for dipping.

Chicken satay served on a plate with peanut sauce.

Paring Recommendations

Consider serving it alongside dishes like Tom Yum Soup or Coconut Tom Kha Gai Soup as your starter soup. These Thai soups bring a burst of tangy and aromatic flavors that pair wonderfully with the Chicken satay. For a satisfying side, pair it with Lime Chicken Fried Rice, adding a zesty touch to your plate. And to quench your thirst, enjoy a refreshing Thai Iced Tea, offering a sweet contrast to the bold flavors of your main dish.

Marinated chicken satay on skewers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breast for chicken thighs if you prefer.

What's the best way to marinate the chicken for maximum flavor?

For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken ideally overnight for 12 hours. This allows the flavors to penetrate the chicken thoroughly.

What's the ideal serving size for this dish, and how many skewers per person should I aim for?

Aim for serving 3-4 chicken skewers per person, depending on their appetite and whether you are serving other side dishes.

Can I grill these skewers instead?

Absolutely! Grilling these skewers is a fantastic option. Just cook them for 7-10 minutes, rotating as needed, at 350°F with the grill cover closed for that delicious grilled flavor.

Healthy chicken satay recipe served on a white plate with a homemade dipping peanut sauce.

Storage Tips

When storing leftovers, place the chicken and sauce in separate airtight containers and store them in the refrigerator. The chicken will stay fresh for 3-5 days, while the peanut sauce can be kept for 10-14 days when stored properly.

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Watch How To Make It

Healthy chicken satay recipe being dipped into a homemade peanut sauce.

Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

Try the savory delights of Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce, a Southeast Asian classic dish. This recipe features tender, marinated chicken skewers air-fried to perfection and served with a homemade peanut sauce, free of additives and preservatives. It's a delightful and wholesome dish that's sure to satisfy your cravings for flavorful, guilt-free chicken satay.
4.82 from 11 votes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian, Asian Fusion
Keyword: chicken satay with peanut sauce, healthy chicken satay
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Marination Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 Skewers
Print Recipe
Calories: 279kcal

Ingredients

Chicken Skewer

  • 1 lb Chicken Thigh can sub with chicken breast
  • 2 tbsp Coconut Milk can replace with half n half, heavy cream, milk but will alter flavor
  • 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tsp Turmeric
  • 2 Cloves Garlic
  • 1 tbsp Sweetener your preferred sweetener
  • 1 tbsp Fish Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Lime Juice
  • 1 tsp Chili Garlic Sauce can replace with Sriracha
  • 4-6 Skewers

Sauce

  • 1/4 Cup Peanut Butter
  • 3 tbsp Coconut Milk can replace with half n half, heavy cream, milk but will alter flavor
  • 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Lime Juice
  • 2 tbsp Sweetener your preferred sweetener
  • 1 Cloves Garlic

Instructions

  • Gather all the ingredients.
    Ingredients for Chicken Satay.
  • Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 5 minutes.
    Skewered being soaked in water
  • Grate garlic with a grater or garlic press. Add 2/3 of the grated garlic into a mixing bowl and set the remaining 1/3 aside.
    Grated garlic.
  • In the same mixing bowl, combine 2 tbsp Coconut Milk, 1 tbsp Soy Sauce, 1 tsp Ground Turmeric, 1 tbsp sweetener, 1 tbsp Fish Sauce, 1 tbsp lime juice and 1 tsp Chili Garlic Sauce. Stir well and set aside.
    Peanut marinate being combined.
  • Cut chicken into 1/2 x 1/2" cube size bites and place into the mixing bowl. Toss to coat the chicken then transfer marinade into a ziplock bag. Place in fridge for at least 1 hour up to 12 hours.
    Chicken marinated in peanut sauce.
  • In a new mixing bowl, combine Peanut Butter, 3 tbsp Coconut Milk, 1 tbsp Soy Sauce, 1 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp sweetener and the rest of the grated garlic from step 3). Mix well, transfer peanut dipping sauce to a serving bowl, cover and set aside.
    Peanut sauce being combined.
  • Once done marinating, skewer chicken loosely (do not pack in tight). Bake at 390F for 15 minutes until browned and internal temp reaches 165F. Once done, transfer to a serving plate along with peanut dipping sauce.
    Chicken satay served on a plate with peanut sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 279kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 514mg | Potassium: 277mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 89IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
*Values Based Per Serving
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10 Comments

  1. I have never had chicken satay, so I have nothing to compare this with, but this was SO good that my daughter (who shovels in food like a teenage boy and couldn’t tell you 2 minutes later what she had eaten) told me to keep the recipe. That is a VERY ringing endorsement!! As a Weight Watcher member, I replaced the coconut milk with almond milk and the peanut butter with undiluted peanut butter powder. Even the 2nd night, before I remembered I had leftover peanut sauce, the chicken still tasted amazingly delicious. I rarely leave comments on recipes because everyone’s tastes are different, but I went rummaging through my browsing history to figure out where I got this recipe from so I could come back and recommend it!

    • Hey Barbara! Thanks for the comment and so happy to hear you and your daughter liked the recipe! Thanks very much for the recommendation too!

  2. Can you serve the sauce hot?

  3. This was scrumptious. Definitely will make again!!!

  4. I’m so excited to make this! Can you help me understand how many skewers this makes, and how many servings this is? Does it make 4 skewers and it’s 1 skewer per serving? Thank you!

    • Mark Iwadare

      Hi Elizabeth! Yes, it will make 4 standard skewers (1/4 lb of chicken each) and it’s listed as 1 skewer = 1 serving. Entire recipe will make 4 servings. Hope that helps.

  5. This was unbelievably tasty! The chicken itself came out so flavorful and tender, but the peanut sauce really took it over the top, wow! I love Asian food and I’m just starting to cook it, your recipes are great!

    • Mark Iwadare

      Hey Tom! So happy to hear you liked the recipe and it came out tasty! Looking forward to hearing what recipe you cook next!

4.82 from 11 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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