This chicken satay with peanut sauce is a really easy way to change up your dinner routine. In this recipe, chicken thighs are marinated in soy sauce, coconut milk, brown sugar and a combination of spices. Then they're grilled and served with a delicious homemade peanut sauce.
For this recipe the chicken thighs needs to marinate for at least a couple of hours, but the marinade is a cinch to make and the chicken cooks pretty quickly. Plus, the peanut sauce is super easy to make too.
Serve the chicken satay as an appetizer or pair it with a side of jasmine rice and steamed vegetables for a complete meal your family will really enjoy.
Chicken ingredients
- 2 pounds Chicken Thighs, boneless, skinless and cut into roughly 2 inch pieces
- ¼ cup Soy Sauce, low sodium
- ¼ cup Coconut Milk, unsweetened
- 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 2 Garlic Cloves, grated or minced
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric
- ½ teaspoon Ginger Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Coriander
- ¼ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper
Peanut sauce ingredients
- ½ cup Peanut Butter, smooth
- ½ cup Coconut Milk, unsweetened
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce, low sodium
- ½ tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
- ½ a Garlic Clove, grated or minced
- ¼ teaspoon Ginger Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Turmeric
- Pinch Crushed Red Pepper
You will also need:
- 8-10 Bamboo Skewers (10-12 inches)
- Grill Spray, to reduce sticking
Prep work
There is a little prep work with this delicious dish. We have to prepare the marinade, and marinate the chicken. Then make a peanut sauce from scratch. Luckily, everything is really easy to do.
We’ll start with the chicken because it needs to marinate for a while for the best taste. Get it started at least two hours before grilling. If you marinate the chicken thighs the night before and leave them in the refrigerator overnight they will turn out so tender and flavorful.
- Cut the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into roughly 2 inch pieces and place them in a large bowl or a zip top bag.
- Next, make the marinade by adding the coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, grated garlic, turmeric, ginger powder, salt, coriander and crushed red pepper to a bowl. Stir well with a fork or small whisk to combine.
Tip: Use a microplane to grate garlic. They’re super convenient, just grate right into the bowl or jar. No dirty cutting board and no fuss.
Add the marinade to the chicken and toss well to coat it completely. If you’re using a zip top bag, seal it well, then massage the chicken a little bit to coat it with the marinade.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or place the bag on a pan or plate just in case it leaks. Refrigerate the chicken at least 2 hours, to overnight.
Make the peanut sauce
Add all of the peanut sauce ingredients to a small blender, like a Nutribullet, or use a blender.
Blend until all of the ingredients are combined and the sauce is smooth. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides and blend again.
Transfer the peanut sauce to a serving bowl or container. You can make the sauce ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use. Two things:
- Cover the sauce with a lid or plastic wrap.
- Remove it from the refrigerator a while before using to get the chill out, and stir it vigorously to loosen.
How to make chicken satay
Use bamboo skewers for this chicken satay (10-12 inches long). Soak them prior to using to prevent them from burning on the grill. Place the bamboo skewers on a sheet pan or shallow baking dish and cover with water. Soak the skewers for 30 minutes to an hour so they don’t catch fire on the grill.
Remove the bamboo skewers from the water. Thread about 5 chicken pieces onto each skewer. The chicken thigh pieces will be irregularly shaped so tread any loose pieces through the skewer to secure. Set on a pan or plate and repeat with the remaining chicken.
Discard any leftover marinade.
Grill the chicken
Spray the barbecue grates with the grill spray to prevent sticking. Grill the chicken satay over moderate heat, turning them a couple of times. Cook until they are golden brown on both sides and completely cooked through.
Grilling should take about 12-15 minutes since the chicken is boneless and cut into small pieces. Make sure the juices run clear when pierced with a fork or knife and the meat is no longer pink. The internal temperature should be at least 165°F at its thickest part.
Serve the chicken satay with the prepared peanut sauce. Makes 8-10 Skewers
If you like this recipe try our shrimp and sesame noodles, our simple beef and broccoli and this shrimp and chicken fried rice.
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📖 Recipe
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
Chicken Satay Ingredients
- 2 pounds Chicken Thighs boneless, skinless and cut into 2 inch pieces
- ¼ cup Soy Sauce low sodium
- ¼ cup Coconut Milk unsweetened
- 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 2 Garlic Cloves grated or minced
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric
- ½ teaspoon Ginger Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Coriander
- ¼ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper
Peanut Sauce Ingredients
- ½ cup Peanut Butter smooth
- ½ cup Coconut Milk unsweetened
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce low sodium
- ½ tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
- ½ a Garlic Clove grated or minced
- ¼ teaspoon Ginger Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Turmeric
- Pinch Crushed Red Pepper
Instructions
You will also need: 8-10 Bamboo Skewers and Grill Spray
Prepare the chicken
- Cut the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into roughly 2 inch pieces and place them in a large bowl or zip top bag.
- Add the soy sauce, coconut milk, brown sugar, grated garlic, turmeric, ginger powder, salt, coriander and crushed red pepper to a bowl. Stir well to combine. Add the marinade to the chicken and toss well until coated. If you’re using a zip top bag, seal it well, then massage the
chicken a little bit to coat it with the marinade. - Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or place the bag on a pan or plate just in case it leaks. Refrigerate the chicken at least 2 hours, to overnight.
Prepare the peanut sauce
- Add all of the peanut sauce ingredients to a small blender (like a Nutribullet), or use a blender. Blend until all of the ingredients are combined and the sauce is smooth. Transfer the sauce to a serving bowl or container until ready to serve.
- Place the bamboo skewers on a sheet pan or shallow baking dish and cover with water. Soak the skewers for 30 minutes to an hour.
Grill the chicken
- Remove the bamboo skewers from the water. Thread 4-5 chicken pieces onto each skewer. Set on a pan or plate and repeat with the remaining chicken. Discard any remaining marinade.
- Spray the barbecue grates with the grill spray to prevent sticking. Grill the chicken satay on moderate heat, turning occasionally until they are browned and completely cooked through (about 15 minutes). The internal temperature of the chicken should be at least 165°F at its thickest piece.
- Serve the chicken satay with the peanut sauce.
Nutrition
The nutritional information above is computer generated and is only an estimate. There is no guarantee that it is accurate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
James R
I'm wondering if anyone has made this with a substitute for peanut butter for those with allergies. I'm contemplating sun(flower) butter or 'wow' butter (soy).
Susan Maitland
The sauce is a little too sweet,I added more lime juice,more chili flakes and another tbs of soya sauce
Sarah
Winner winner satay chicken skewers!!! The marinade recipe was perfect and the peanut sauce was 9.5 out of 10 simply because we all thought it was a little too sweet but that is easily adjusted!
Thanks for sharing 😃
Elizabeth
Thanks Sarah! Happy to hear you enjoyed it.
Jacqueline
I am wondering if this can be cooked in a skillet instead of on the grill or in the oven.
Eunice
Hello! Stumbled upon this recipe. Wondering if baking it would be an option as well, for bigger cuts of chicken. If so, at what temperature and for how long should it be baked? Thank you!
Elizabeth
Hi Eunice,
Yes you can bake the chicken. Assuming you are using boneless, skinless chicken breast it can take 25-35 minutes baked at 350°F or 375°F. The baking time depends on the size of the pieces and you will have to gauge for yourself. Cook the chicken until no longer pink in the middle, the juices run clear, and it is at least 165°F at its thickest part. If you are using wood/bamboo skewers make sure to follow the soaking directions on the package carefully. Thanks for stopping by!
Marti
Can sauce be frozen?
Elizabeth
Hi Marti, yes you can. Portion it out and store in an airtight container.
Debbie Edwards
Made this tonight and absolutely loved it. I've been searching for the best recipe for a satay/peanut sauce and I think I've found it! It was a hit with the whole family. Will definitely be making again!
Elizabeth
Thank you for your kind comment. Happy you enjoyed it!
Ann Gie Chan
Hello, the ground corriander is from the seeds or root? Thanks.
Elizabeth
Hi Ann,
Thanks for the question. Ground coriander is from the seeds.
Barb Trachte
Does this recipe have 864 cal per serving? Recipe says it is for 4 servings. Or does the 864 calories cover The whole recipe?
Elizabeth
Hi Barb, That’s per serving, including the peanut sauce. Thank you for stopping by!
Stacy Simpson
This recipe turned out amazing! Made a few very minor swaps due to ingredients on hand....used fresh ginger (didn’t have powder on hand) and used chicken breast tenders instead of chicken thighs. Prepped on a Sunday afternoon and marinated to Monday and grilled after work. Made the peanut sauce day before as well kept on the fridge and heated up for 30 seconds in the microwave.. My teenagers said it was restaurant quality!!! For sure will make again!!! Thank you!!!!
Elizabeth
Hi Stacy,
Thank you, so happy you and your family enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by.