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 in places such as Thailand and Malaysia.
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.
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, so much better than chicken thighs.
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. Could use shallot or red onion as well.
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. Serve with coconut rice or jasmine rice!
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 another protein like 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.
In this marinade I’ve used, low-sodium soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, honey, sriracha sauce, ground ginger and garlic.
Sometimes you might find the flavors of turmeric, lemongrass, curry powder, a sweetener like brown sugar, and ground coriander.
Chicken Satay
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch strips
- 2 tablespoons low-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 low-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
Instructions
- 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 with plastic wrap 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.
Video
Notes
- 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.
Nutrition
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Fire up those grills. Then try one of these other favorite skewer recipes for the grill:
Easy delicious satay sauce, made a stir fry, skipped the hot sauce for kids & was a hit!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Joce! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Wondering if I can substitute agave syrup (or something else…maybe date syrup?) for the honey in the chicken marinade? Want my 9 month old grandson to be able to eat the chicken and honey is a no-no for kids under a year old! I can keep it in the dipping sauce for the rest of us since we’re well over a year old!😝
Hi Kritin! While I haven’t tried it, I am sure you could. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
This was amazing. I made it with the cucumber salad you recommend as a side dish and rice and my boyfriend said it was one of his favourite meals I have made him. Will definitely be making again!
Hi Sophie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Delicious satay at home!! Thank you; it really was better than in a restaurant.
Hi Danielle! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Love this recipe! So delicious yet so easy. The peanut sauce is 5-star!
Hi Paula! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Can you use fresh ginger?
Hi Hillary! You probably could use fresh ginger, I am just not able to advise on the amount to use since I’ve only tested it with ground ginger. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
This recipe is seriously SO GOOD. it’s become a quick and easy staple for my family this summer, and I always double up the sauce and drink a cup on the side (joking but not really). The flavors are perfect, the ingredients are things I always have on hand, and it’s so easy to add to salads, rice bowls, or serve as apps. Kids love it too!!
Hi Emily! So glad you enjoy the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
The BEST satay sauce!
Hi Clare! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Easy and delicious Chicken Satay recipe. Followed the recipe with great results. I did add extra Sriracha, we love spicy! I served with Fried Rice. Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe. Its been added to our rotation meals:)
Hi Jo! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
This recipe never disappoints, consistently moist flavorful chicken & oh, the peanut sauce! Umami yum, oh hello slightly spicy, hit me again please! Family decided finger foods only for Christmas Eve, so I brought this over & earned my Santa Claus stars ⭐️, easily 5 of them!!
Hi! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
This was by far the best peanut sauce I’ve ever tasted, homemade or in a restaurant. I didn’t add honey, because I didn’t have any, but I did try to stick pretty close with everything else.
Hi Taryn! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!