Chicken Satay – A deliciously marinated and grilled skewered chicken dish, known for its tender meat, smoky aroma, and mouthwatering peanut sauce for a backyard barbecue, a quick weekday dinner, or an impressive appetizer for a dinner party.
What is Satay?
Satay is a dish of skewered, seasoned and grilled meat, served with a sauce. It is a dish originated from Indonesia and popular in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand.
Satay consist of different types of meats, diced or sliced chicken, mutton, goat, beef, fish, pork, other meats, or even tofu; the more authentic version of this recipe uses skewers from the midrib of the coconut palm frond, although bamboo skewers are often used.
These are barbecued or grilled over a charcoal or wood fire, then served with various spicy seasonings. Satay can be served in various sauces, however most often they are served in a combination of peanut and soy sauce. Hence, peanut sauce is often called satay sauce.
Chicken Satay Peanut Sauce
Though you can buy any peanut dipping sauce from our local market, but making your own homemade chicken satay with peanut sauce is something different, So let have a look at the ingredients you need.
Ingredients
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter (You can also use the crunchy ones)
- 1/3 cup soy sauce, low sodium
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha
- 2 limes juiced and zested
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
Directions
- Gather all the ingredients to your grinder/mixer and grind until smooth.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Chicken Satay
- Choose the Right Cut of Chicken
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work best for Chicken Satay. They stay juicy and tender even after grilling. If you prefer leaner meat, chicken breasts are an alternative, but take care not to overcook. - Marinate for Maximum Flavor
Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 2 hours—overnight is even better! This ensures the spices penetrate deeply, resulting in flavorful and aromatic satay. - Soak Wooden Skewers
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning. - Grill on Medium Heat
Whether using a charcoal grill, gas grill, or stovetop grill pan, maintain medium heat to achieve that smoky char without drying out the chicken. - Double Brush the Sauce
Baste the chicken with a mix of the marinade and coconut milk while grilling for added moisture and flavor.
How to Serve Chicken Satay
Chicken Satay pairs wonderfully with various accompaniments, making it a versatile dish. Here are some serving suggestions:
- Traditional Pairings: Serve with warm peanut sauce, cucumber salad, and rice cakes (ketupat).
- As an Appetizer: Arrange skewers on a platter with peanut dipping sauce for parties or gatherings.
- With Noodles or Rice: Pair satay with jasmine rice or stir-fried noodles for a hearty meal.
- In Wraps or Bowls: Add chicken satay to wraps or rice bowls for a modern twist.
How to Store Chicken Satay
- Refrigeration
Store leftover satay in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the peanut sauce in a separate container. - Freezing
Marinated raw chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before grilling. Grilled satay can also be frozen; reheat in a preheated oven or air fryer for best results. - Reheating
Reheat cooked chicken satay in a grill pan or oven at 350°F until heated through, being careful not to dry out the meat.
Chicken Satay
Chicken Satay - A deliciously marinated and grilled skewered chicken dish, known for its tender meat, smoky aroma, and mouthwatering peanut sauce for a backyard barbecue, a quick weekday dinner, or an impressive appetizer for a dinner party.
Ingredients
Meat
- 8 boneless chicken thighs, cut into small, thin pieces
- 1 package wooden skewers
Marinade
- 2 shallots (or 1/4 onion, sliced)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup minced lemongrass (fresh or frozen)
- 1 thumb-size ginger, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 to 2 fresh red chiles (sliced, or 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste)
- 3 tablespoons dark soy sauce (available at Asian food stores)
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar (you need all of this)
Sauce
- Peanut dipping sauce (check above)
Instructions
- Place the shallots, garlic, lemongrass, chiles, ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric, soy sauce, brown sugar, fish sauce, and oil in a food processor or chopper to make the marinade.
- Taste the marinade and make sure it should taste sweet, spicy, and salty. You can add more chile if you want it spicier. Add more fish sauce or more sugar (in place of salt) to adjust the taste.
- Cut chicken into small pieces or strips.
- In a bowl and pour the marinade all over the chicken pieces. Stir well to combine and let marinate for at least 2 hours to up to 24 hours.
- When it ready, thread meat onto the skewers. Fill up to 3/4 of the skewer, leaving the lower half empty so that you can easily turn the satay.
- Grill the satay, basting with the leftover marinade for the first time you turn it.
- The satay should be done in 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how thin your meat is.
- Serve with Thai peanut sauce for dipping or jasmine rice or coconut rice.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
4Amount Per Serving Calories 417Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 159mgSodium 2106mgCarbohydrates 31gFiber 3gSugar 21gProtein 36g
dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Still Hungry! Try These Delicious Chicken Recipes:
- Chicken Broccoli Divan
- Authentic Hungarian Chicken Paprikash
- Best Filipino Adobo Chicken
- Honey Garlic Chicken Breast
Closing Thoughts
Chicken Satay is more than just a dish—it’s an experience that brings together rich cultural traditions and universally loved flavors. With the right techniques, you can recreate this Southeast Asian favorite in your kitchen, impressing family and friends with its vibrant taste and aroma. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or explore exciting variations, Chicken Satay promises to be a hit on any occasion.