Chicken Satay with Easy Peanut Sauce

This Chicken Satay with Easy Peanut Sauce is a vibrant and flavorful dish that I love making for both weeknight dinners and gatherings. The chicken is marinated with fragrant spices and grilled to perfection, while the creamy peanut sauce adds a rich, savory, and slightly spicy finish.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I enjoy this recipe because it brings together bold flavors with minimal effort. The marinade infuses the chicken with warmth from turmeric and chili, and the peanut sauce is quick to whip up with pantry staples. I like that I can serve it as a main dish with rice or as an appetizer on skewers it always disappears fast.

Ingredients

(Note: All ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card below.)

For the marinade
3 cloves garlic
1 lemon, juice only
2 tsp turmeric
2 tsp dried coriander
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vegetable oil
1kg / 2lbs skinless boneless chicken breasts, cubed

For the peanut sauce
4 tbsp natural peanut butter, smooth or chunky
2 tsp soy sauce
2 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp grated ginger
4 tbsp coconut milk
1 tbsp Sriracha sauce, or other chilli sauce
salt to taste
water to thin it out
1 tbsp chopped peanut to top

Directions

1. I start by blending garlic, lemon juice, turmeric, coriander, chili powder, salt, and vegetable oil into a smooth marinade.
2. I coat the cubed chicken pieces with this marinade and let them rest in the fridge for at least 1 hour, though overnight gives the best flavor.
3. While the chicken marinates, I prepare the peanut sauce by mixing peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, grated ginger, coconut milk, and Sriracha in a bowl. I add water as needed until it reaches a smooth, dipping consistency, then season with salt to taste.
4. I thread the marinated chicken onto skewers.
5. I grill the skewers on medium-high heat for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred.
6. I serve the chicken hot with the peanut sauce on the side, topped with chopped peanuts.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes about 6 servings. It takes around 15 minutes to prepare, 1 hour to marinate, and 10 minutes to cook, so total time is about 1 hour and 25 minutes.

Variations

I sometimes swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs, which stay juicier on the grill. If I want a milder sauce, I reduce or skip the Sriracha. For extra creaminess, I add more coconut milk, while a stronger nutty taste comes from using chunky peanut butter. I also like serving the satay with cucumber salad or pickled vegetables for freshness.

Storage/Reheating

I store leftover chicken satay in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I warm it in a skillet or oven until hot. The peanut sauce keeps separately for about 5 days in the fridge, and I stir in a little water or coconut milk to loosen it when reheating.

FAQs

Can I bake the chicken instead of grilling?

Yes, I bake the skewers at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, turning halfway through.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work beautifully and stay extra juicy.

How spicy is the peanut sauce?

It depends on how much Sriracha I add. I can make it mild or quite spicy.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, I marinate the chicken a day before and prepare the sauce in advance, then grill when ready.

Can I freeze the marinated chicken?

Yes, I freeze it in the marinade for up to 2 months and thaw before cooking.

What can I serve with chicken satay?

I like pairing it with jasmine rice, cucumber salad, or flatbreads.

Can I make the sauce without coconut milk?

Yes, I use water or regular milk instead, though the flavor is less rich.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter?

Yes, it gives the sauce extra texture and nuttiness.

Do I need skewers?

Not necessarily. I sometimes cook the chicken pieces directly in a skillet or oven without skewers.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes, I use tofu or tempeh instead of chicken, marinate them, and cook the same way.

Conclusion

I love how this Chicken Satay with Easy Peanut Sauce delivers bold flavors with such simple steps. The marinade makes the chicken juicy and aromatic, while the creamy peanut sauce ties it all together. Whether I serve it as an appetizer or a main dish, it’s always a crowd-pleaser that I enjoy making again and again.

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