Chicken Satay

Chunks of chicken are marinated in a creamy coconut curry sauce, grilled on skewers, and served with a simple, spicy peanut sauce.

skewers of Chicken Satay with peanut sauce

Flavor: This savory, spiced coconut curry chicken is served with a gingery peanut sauce with just a touch of lime.
Prep Note: Chicken satay can be assembled a day ahead and grilled when ready.
Time-Saving Tip: The peanut dip can be prepared two days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. To save time, you can also buy precut chicken!
Recommended Tools: A meat thermometer is the best way to check if your chicken is cooked properly. It will read 165°F when fully cooked.

chicken , cilantro , garlic , curry , ginger , soy sauce , peanuts , sambal oelek , brown sugar , coconut milk , peanut butter, lime , with labels to make Chicken Satay

Ingredient Tips for Chicken Satay

Chicken: Use strips of boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
Marinade: Soy sauce tenderizes the chicken, and the perfect blend of coconut milk, brown sugar, garlic, and curry powder infuses the meat with flavor. Look for full-fat coconut milk and not coconut cream. Be sure to discard leftover marinade.
Peanut Sauce: Use smooth or chunky peanut butter, and adjust the amount of Sambal (or sriracha) to suit your preference. Ground ginger and a splash of fresh lime juice add an extra bright flavor to the peanut sauce.

Variations

Before threading the chicken onto the skewers, alternate chunks of red bell pepper, yellow onion, zucchini coins, or whole mushrooms to make a complete meal on a stick.
Swap the chicken thighs for cubes of pork or large shrimp.
Brown sugar can be swapped out for honey, maple syrup, or a sugar-free substitute.

marinating chicken to make Chicken Satay

marinated chicken on skewers to make Chicken Satay

Be sure to slice the chicken evenly so it cooks at the same rate.
Before threading the chicken onto the wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning. Skip this step by using reusable metal skewers!
For the best flavor, let the chicken get slightly charred before serving!
You can freeze marinated raw chicken for fast future meals. See freezing instructions below!

Favorite Way to Serve

Chicken Satay on a plate with rice with plate full in the back

Leftovers

Keep the chicken in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat briefly in the microwave or the air fryer. Peanut sauce will last for up to a week in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

To freeze, remove chicken from the skewers and place in zippered bags. Freeze for up to 4 months and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Asian-Inspired Recipes to Savor

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This chicken satay with peanut dipping sauce is the perfect Asian entree.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes

Marinating Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 26 minutes

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

In a large bowl, whisk together coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, curry powder, and garlic. Add chicken strips to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours.
In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, Sambal, and ground ginger. Whisk in coconut milk, adding more as needed until the sauce reaches desired consistency. Refrigerate for serving.
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and thread onto the soaked skewers. Discard the remaining marinade.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and nicely charred.
Serve chicken satay hot with peanut dipping sauce on the side. Garnish with chopped peanuts and cilantro if desired.

Don’t skip soaking the skewers; it keeps them from burning on the grill.
The peanut sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for a few days.
Nutrition information is calculated without optional garnish.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Chicken, Dinner, Entree, Main Course

Cuisine Asian

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