Chicken Satay with Peanut Lime Sauce

Posted in Asian Recipes
Chicken Satay with Peanut Lime Sauce
Dive into a world of flavor with these Chicken Satay skewers, marinated in a vibrant blend of coconut milk, curry, and spices, then grilled to perfection. Accompanied by a tangy and spicy Peanut Lime Sauce, this dish promises a delightful taste experience that transports you straight to the heart of Southeast Asian cuisine. Whether you're hosting a barbecue, looking for a delicious meal prep option, or simply craving something different, these chicken skewers are sure to impress.

Ingredients

Chicken Marinade:

  • ¼ cup coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp reduced sodium tamari sauce (or soy sauce)
  • 2½ tsp yellow curry powder
  • 1½ tsp turmeric
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 tbsp canola oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Peanut Sauce:

  • 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tbsp reduced sodium tamari sauce (or soy sauce)
  • 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp chili garlic sauce, or more, to taste
  • 1 tsp freshly grated ginger

Instructions

  1. Peanut Sauce Preparation: Begin by whisking together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, chili garlic sauce, and ginger in a small bowl. Add 2-3 tbsp of water until you achieve the desired consistency; set aside.

  2. Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, mix coconut milk, soy sauce, curry powder, turmeric, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and fish sauce. Place the chicken in a Ziploc bag or large bowl and pour in the marinade. Let it marinate for 2 hours to overnight in the refrigerator, turning occasionally.

  3. Prep and Grill: After marinating, drain the chicken and discard the marinade. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Thread the chicken onto skewers, brush with canola oil, and season with salt and pepper. Grill the skewers, turning occasionally, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, about 12-15 minutes.

  4. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the grilled chicken skewers hot, accompanied by the prepared peanut sauce for dipping.

A Favorite Thai Appetizer

Chicken satay is one of my favorite Thai appetizers: juicy skewers, warm curry spices, a little char, and that peanut-lime sauce that makes it hard to stop at one. It works as a starter, a party platter, or a full meal if you add rice, cucumber salad, or green papaya salad on the side.

The marinade does a lot of the work. Coconut milk, curry powder, turmeric, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, soy sauce, and fish sauce give the chicken a savory, slightly sweet flavor before it ever hits the grill. The peanut sauce brings it home with richness, lime, and a little chile heat.

Tips

  • Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours if you can. Overnight gives the skewers deeper flavor.
  • If using wooden skewers, soak them first so they do not scorch too quickly.
  • For grilling, preheat well and turn the skewers often so the chicken cooks evenly without drying out.
  • Serve with cucumber salad, pickled vegetables, jasmine rice, crushed peanuts, and extra lime wedges.

Air Fryer Method

The air fryer makes satay much easier for a weeknight and keeps it a lot less oily than pan-frying. The skewers will not have quite the same smoky char as the grill, but the chicken still browns nicely and stays juicy.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the skewers in a single layer, working in batches if needed, and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken reaches 165°F. Brush lightly with oil before cooking if you want more browning, but you do not need much.

Variations

  • Add a splash of lime juice or a little lemongrass to the marinade for extra brightness.
  • Use chicken breast for a leaner version, but watch it closely so it does not dry out.
  • Make a satay platter with tofu, shrimp, or vegetables alongside the chicken.
  • Add more chili garlic sauce to the peanut sauce if you want extra heat.

Nutrition Facts

  • Serving Size: 2 skewers
  • Servings Per Recipe: 6
  • Calories: 385

% Daily Value

  • Total Fat: 24g (31% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 6g (30% DV)
  • Cholesterol: 145mg (48% DV)
  • Sodium: 850mg (37% DV)
  • Total Carbohydrates: 8g (3% DV)
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
  • Total Sugars: 5g
  • Protein: 33g
  • Vitamin A: 30mcg (3% DV)
  • Vitamin C: 4mg (4% DV)
  • Calcium: 35mg (3% DV)
  • iron: 2mg (11% DV)
  • Potassium: 291mg (6% DV)

Note: The “% Daily Value” (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients and preparation.