This Chicken Satay with peanut dipping sauce recipe is one I find myself making on repeat. It’s simple to make, the flavor rewards are spectacular, and there’s something inexplicably fun about eating food on a stick!
I’m not sure why, but there’s something magical about dunking a skewer of tender, grilled meat into a rich peanut dipping sauce. (Equally magical is the Thai Peanut Stir Fry That Got Me Married in my cookbook.)
While chicken satay is traditionally an appetizer (along with another classic Bang Bang Shrimp), we most often enjoy it as the main event.
The juicy strips of chicken are soaked in a flavorful Asian marinade, then grilled on a skewer and served with a peanut dip.
They’re the perfect blend of hopelessly tender and hopelessly delicious.
PLUS this chicken satay is healthy (like my favorite Cauliflower Fried Rice), so you can feel good about going back for seconds (and thirds!).
The leftovers are also great on salads or turned into a wrap.
Between the quick and easy prep, leftover potential, and did I mention PEANUT DIPPING SAUCE, you’ll be singing the praises of this recipe all week long.
5 Star Review
“Easily the best chicken satay I’ve ever cooked or eaten.”
— Ian —
What is Chicken Satay
If you aren’t familiar with satay, it’s a dish that originated in Indonesia but is popular across Southeast Asia.
Although there are many varieties of satay, all of them begin with tasty grilled meat and end with a yummy dipping sauce.
An Indonesian chicken satay recipe and Thai chicken skewers typically include a sauce made with peanut butter (similar to the sauce in these Asian Chicken Wraps).
I’m not sure if the sauce is required for skewers to be properly deemed “satay,” but since this Thai chicken satay recipe includes a peanut sauce that is plate-licking good, I’m going to insist you make it to go alongside.
How to Make Chicken Satay
This healthy chicken satay skewers recipe begins with an easy marinade.
It ends with a rich and tangy-sweet peanut dipping sauce that you’ll want to start enjoying on EVERYTHING (like this Crispy Tofu).
Satay sauce can be served hot or cold. Personally, I think it’s best if you eat satay chicken with peanut sauce when hot or at room temperature.
The Ingredients
- Marinade. A salty-sweet blend of soy sauce, fish sauce, honey, Sriracha, lime juice, ginger, and garlic. It will flavor every bite of the chicken and does double duty to tenderize the meat. (This is my other favorite Chicken Marinade.)
Tip!
Chicken can be marinaded up to 1 day in advance. I don’t recommend marinating the chicken for longer than 24 hours, as the meat will begin to break down.
- Chicken Breast. Between the marinade and the grill, the chicken becomes exceptionally tasty and tender. Chicken breasts are also easy to thread onto skewers.
The BEST Peanut Dipping Sauce
Chicken satay tastes like a dream directly from the grill, but the Thai peanut dipping sauce is too good to miss.
It’s creamy, richly spiced with ginger and garlic, and has a lightly spicy, sweet note that is nothing short of habit-forming.
- Peanut Butter. A delicious peanut sauce requires creamy, rich peanut butter for flavor and texture.
- Honey. Naturally sweetens our peanut sauce just enough to keep you coming back for more (like in my favorite Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe); honey also tastes outstanding paired with the peanut butter in savory dishes like this one.
- Soy Sauce + Fish Sauce. Salty, umami flavor bombs.
- Sriracha. For a touch of heat. If you want spicy chicken satay skewers, you can add more for an extra kick.
- Ginger + Garlic. Two must-have ingredients that provide complex flavors.
- Lime Juice + Cilantro. Acidity and freshness.
The Directions
- Marinate the chicken, and soak the skewers.
- Prepare the peanut dipping sauce.
- Thread the skewers.
- Grill the satay skewers over medium-high heat for about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Serve with toppings and peanut dipping sauce. ENJOY!
How to Make Baked Chicken Satay
Here are some tips for making chicken satay skewers without a grill. Personally, I prefer the char the grill (or a grill pan on the stovetop) adds, but if you don’t have access, the oven will still produce good results.
- Marinate the chicken as directed, soak the skewers, and prepare the peanut sauce.
- When you’re ready to cook the chicken, lay the threaded chicken skewers on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Broil the skewers for 5 to 6 minutes, until the chicken is golden on the outside and cooked through.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Leftover skewers can be stored in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the peanut sauce in a separate airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat. Remove the chicken from the skewers and place it on a baking sheet. Let come to room temperature, then reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees F. As soon as the satay is warm, serve it immediately; watch it carefully so that it doesn’t dry out. Reheat the sauce gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring every few minutes.
- To Freeze. Freeze chicken and peanut sauce separately in airtight, freezer-safe storage containers for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Leftover Ideas
If you have leftovers of these chicken skewers (which I doubt you will, but hey) they’re delicious over a bed of your favorite greens, with Homemade Fried Rice, or this Asian Noodle Salad.
What to Serve with Chicken Satay
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Grill Skewers. A stainless steel set that’s easy to use anytime a craving strikes. No need to soak them first.
- Grill Tongs. Easily grip and flip anything on the grill.
- Grill Pan. For those without an outdoor grill, this indoor grill pan works on any stove and will yield excellent results.
The Best Cast Iron Skillet
This LeCreuset cast iron skillet is another means to cook chicken satay. It’s famous enamel interior requires very little oil and needs no additional seasoning.
Chicken satay with peanut sauce, you are just so dippin’ good.
Frequently Asked Questions
I do not find this chicken satay spicy, however, we all definitely have different degrees of spiciness. If you or your family are sensitive to spicy foods, you can leave out or reduce the sriracha to suit your tastes.
I have not tried making this recipe with beef instead of chicken but it sounds like a tasty experiment. If you decide to give it a go, I’d love to hear how it goes. I suggest using flank steak cut across the grain into 1/2-inch strips.
If you don’t own a grill, don’t despair. I’ve included directions for baking chicken satay above. You can also enjoy this chicken satay recipe by using an indoor grill plate on your stovetop or even a panini press. Just note that the cook times may need to be adjusted slightly so keep an eye on the chicken as it cooks.
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch strips
- 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten free
- 1/2 tablespoon fish sauce or additional 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice from 2 small, juicy limes
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 cloves garlic minced
For the Peanut Sauce:
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 5 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten free
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce or additional 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice from about 1 small lime
- Chopped fresh cilantro chopped unsalted roasted peanuts, and lime wedges, for serving
-
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all of the marinade ingredients, except for the chicken: soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, honey, Sriracha, ginger, and garlic. Add the chicken, toss to coat, then cover and place in the refrigerator to marinate for 2 hours or overnight. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling. If using wooden skewers, soak the skewers in water for 30 minutes prior to grilling.
-
Meanwhile, prepare the peanut sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the chicken broth, peanut butter, honey, soy sauce, fish sauce, Sriracha, ginger, and garlic. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then let cook, stirring often, until the sauce is smooth and has thickened, about 6 minutes. Stir in the lime juice and set aside.
-
When ready to cook, preheat an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high. Then thread the chicken onto skewers.
-
Grill chicken until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Let rest for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with peanuts and cilantro, then serve warm with peanut sauce and lime wedges.
- TO STORE: Leftover skewers can be stored in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the peanut sauce in a separate airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Remove the chicken from the skewers and place it on a baking sheet. Let come to room temperature, then reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees F. As soon as the satay is warm, serve it immediately; watch it carefully so that it doesn’t dry out. Reheat the sauce gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring every few minutes.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze chicken and peanut sauce separately in airtight, freezer-safe storage containers for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving: 1(of 4)Calories: 311kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 32gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 73mgPotassium: 694mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 48IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 2mg
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