Indulge in the irresistible flavor of this Chicken Satay recipe! Juicy, marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection and served with a creamy, nutty, sweet-spicy peanut sauce. This Southeast Asian street food favorite is perfect for BBQs, weeknight dinners, or appetizers that wow.
📌 Prep Time: 15 minutes
⏲️ Marinate: 1 hour (or overnight)
🔥 Cook Time: 15 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 4
Ingredients
For the Chicken Satay:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into thin strips
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp turmeric powder (Optional. Curry powder already has turmeric powder)
- 1 tbsp lemongrass paste (or fresh minced lemongrass)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp coconut milk
- Juice of ½ lime
- Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
For the Peanut Sauce:
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter (Peanut Butter)
- 2 tsp red curry paste (Red Curry Paste)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- ½ cup coconut milk
- Water to thin, if needed
Instructions
1. Make the Marinade
In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, curry powder, turmeric, lemongrass, garlic, coconut milk, and lime juice. Mix well.
2. Marinate the Chicken
Add chicken strips to the marinade. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight for deeper flavor.
3. Skewer the Chicken
Thread marinated chicken onto soaked skewers. Try to fold the strips for better texture and cooking.
4. Grill or Pan-Fry
Preheat your grill, grill pan, or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the skewers for 3–4 minutes per side or until nicely charred and fully cooked.
🔥 Pro Tip: For oven baking, broil at 500°F for 7–10 minutes, flipping halfway.
5. Make the Peanut Sauce
In a saucepan over low heat, combine peanut butter, curry paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, ginger, and coconut milk. Stir until smooth and creamy. Add water to thin to desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve hot skewers with a bowl of warm peanut sauce
- Garnish with chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges
- Pair with cucumber salad, steamed jasmine rice, or flatbread
Worthy Presentation Tips
- Plate skewers on banana leaves or a wooden board
- Drizzle peanut sauce artistically and scatter fresh herbs
- Snap in natural light for better engagement.