Thai Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce: A Delicious and Easy Recipe
If you’re looking for a flavorful and fun way to enjoy chicken, Thai Chicken Satay with a creamy peanut satay sauce is the way to go. This easy-to-make recipe offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and nutty flavors, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party or looking for a simple weeknight dinner, this satay chicken recipe will surely satisfy your cravings.
Thai Satay Chicken is a popular dish known for its irresistible marinated chicken skewers, grilled to perfection and served with a rich, tangy peanut sauce. The marinade is packed with flavors like garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and coconut milk, while the peanut sauce brings a creamy, nutty depth that perfectly complements the chicken. It’s the kind of dish that makes you want to go back for more!
Why You’ll Love Thai Chicken Satay
Here’s why you should give this easy chicken satay recipe a try:
- Rich in flavor: The satay chicken is marinated to perfection, absorbing the flavors of the marinade, while the peanut sauce adds richness and depth.
- Quick and easy: With simple ingredients and a fast cooking time, this recipe is perfect for a quick dinner or appetizer.
- Grilled or oven-baked: You can easily adapt this recipe to grill the chicken or bake it in the oven, depending on your preferences or the weather.
- Perfect for any occasion: Serve it as a starter at a party, as part of a family dinner, or as a snack.
Ingredients for Thai Chicken Satay
Here’s what you’ll need to prepare the sate chicken recipe:
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 500g (1 lb) chicken breast or thighs, cut into strips
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp coconut milk
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
For the Peanut Satay Sauce:
- ½ cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp honey or brown sugar
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-2 tbsp water (to adjust the consistency)
- Optional: chili flakes for a little heat
Pro Tip: You can also serve your Thai Chicken Sticks with a side of rice or salad for a complete meal!
Equipment Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to prepare your Thai Chicken Satay:
- A bowl for marinating the chicken
- Skewers (wooden or metal)
- Grill or oven for cooking the chicken
- Small saucepan for the peanut sauce
- Spoon for mixing
- Knife and cutting board for prepping the chicken
How to Make Thai Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
This recipe is super simple and comes together in just a few steps. Let’s get started!
1. Marinate the Chicken
To make the marinade, combine soy sauce, honey, lime juice, coconut milk, garlic, ginger, turmeric, coriander, and vegetable oil in a bowl. Whisk everything together until well combined. Add the chicken strips to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to soak in. For the best results, marinate the chicken for 2-3 hours.
2. Prepare the Peanut Satay Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, coconut milk, ginger, and garlic. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until the sauce is smooth and heated through. If the sauce is too thick, add a little water to thin it out to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more honey for sweetness or lime juice for tang.
3. Cook the Chicken
If you’re using skewer chicken recipes, thread the marinated chicken onto wooden or metal skewers. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C). Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and slightly charred. If you prefer to bake the chicken, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), and bake the skewers for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
4. Serve the Chicken Satay
Once the chicken is cooked, remove the skewers from the grill or oven and serve them immediately with the peanut satay sauce on the side for dipping. Garnish with chopped peanuts, cilantro, and lime wedges for an extra burst of flavor.
Tips for Making the Best Thai Chicken Satay
- Add a little heat: If you like your satay with a spicy kick, you can add chili flakes to the peanut sauce or marinate the chicken with a bit of chili paste.
- Make it ahead: You can marinate the chicken a day in advance for even more flavor. Simply store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
- Serve with sides: For a complete meal, serve the Thai Satay Chicken with steamed rice or a side of grilled vegetables.
How to Store Leftover Chicken Satay
If you have any leftover chicken, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The peanut satay sauce can also be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. Simply reheat the chicken and sauce before serving again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different meats for this recipe?
Yes! While this recipe uses chicken, you can substitute it with beef, pork, or even tofu for a vegetarian version. Just adjust the cooking times as needed.
Can I make the satay sauce spicier?
Absolutely! You can add more chili flakes or some red curry paste to the sauce to give it a spicier kick. For an extra fiery version, add a bit of fresh chilies into the marinade as well.
Can I serve this with something other than skewers?
Of course! If you prefer not to use skewers, you can simply grill or bake the chicken without threading it onto sticks. Just cut the chicken into pieces and serve it as part of a salad or on top of rice.
Conclusion: A Delicious, Easy Thai Chicken Satay Recipe
This Thai Chicken Satay with peanut satay sauce is a quick, flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a main course. The marinated chicken is perfectly cooked and complemented by the creamy, nutty sauce. It’s a great recipe to have on hand for dinner parties, weeknight meals, or any occasion where you want a tasty and satisfying meal.
If you enjoyed this recipe, why not share it with your friends and try some of our other fantastic skewer chicken recipes like Grilled Cheddar Bay Biscuit Seafood Pot Pie or Cinnamon Roll Sourdough Focaccia?
PrintThai Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce: Easy and Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
Learn how to make Thai Chicken Satay with a creamy peanut satay sauce. A quick, flavorful recipe that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 500g (1 lb) chicken breast or thighs, cut into strips
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp coconut milk
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
For the Peanut Satay Sauce:
- ½ cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp honey or brown sugar
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1–2 tbsp water (to adjust the consistency)
- Optional: chili flakes for a little heat
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Combine soy sauce, honey, lime juice, coconut milk, garlic, ginger, turmeric, coriander, and vegetable oil in a bowl. Add chicken strips, toss to coat, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 3 hours.
- Prepare the Peanut Satay Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, coconut milk, ginger, and garlic. Cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth and heated through. Add water to adjust consistency.
- Cook the Chicken: Thread marinated chicken onto skewers. Preheat grill to medium-high heat and cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until fully cooked and slightly charred. Alternatively, bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Serve the Chicken Satay: Serve grilled chicken with peanut satay sauce. Garnish with chopped peanuts, cilantro, and lime wedges. Optionally, serve with rice or grilled vegetables.
Notes
- Add a little heat: Add chili flakes or fresh chilies to the peanut sauce or marinade for a spicy kick.
- Make it ahead: Marinate chicken a day in advance for deeper flavor. Store in the refrigerator.
- Serve with sides: Pair with rice, grilled vegetables, or a refreshing cucumber salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 60mg