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Make restaurant-quality Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce at home! Juicy grilled chicken skewers paired with a creamy, sweet and spicy peanut sauce.
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce is one of our favorite appetizers to make at home. This easy Thai-inspired recipe is packed with sweet and spicy flavors and tastes even better than what you’d order at a restaurant.
My husband made this dish for me for Mother’s Day, and it was absolutely perfect. The tender, flavorful chicken skewers paired with creamy peanut sauce made it a meal to remember. Plus, I didn’t have to cook. Now, this appetizer is on our menu rotation.
If you’re a fan of Thai food, this recipe is a must-try. The grilled chicken is marinated to juicy perfection, and the peanut sauce is simple, yet delicious. Best of all, it’s easy to make and gives you more value for your money than takeout.
Ingredients in Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
If you’re new to cooking Thai food, this is a perfect recipe to start with. Simple, easy to find ingredients and a few quick steps, and you’ll have delicious Thai Chicken Satay Skewers in no time! Here’s what you need:
For the Chicken Satay
- Chicken Breasts: You can also use skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenders
- Peanut Oil: Find this in the cooking oils section of the grocery store. Sesame oil can also be used.
- Ground Cumin: This gives the marinade a smoky, slightly flavor.
- Kosher Salt: Salt helps the marinade absorb into the chicken.
- Ground Ginger: Gives this dish a slightly sweet, lemony flavor that complements the chicken.
- Curry Powder: Pairs beautifully with the cumin, giving this dish a sweet, earthy flavor.
For the Peanut Sauce
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Any brand will work well.
- Soy Sauce: I like to opt for the low sodium variety.
- Rice Vinegar: A bit sweeter and more mild than regular vinegar.
- Honey: To add sweetness to the sauce.
- Minced Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavor.
- Sriracha Hot Sauce: Adds just a little heat, add more to kick it up.
- Chopped Peanuts: For garnish.
How to Make Chicken Satay
Marinate the Chicken
- Toss the chicken in peanut oil in a bowl, then coat the sauce in the spice mixture of cumin, salt, ginger, and curry powder.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Skewers
- Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers.
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes beforehand to prevent burning.
Grill the Skewers
- Cook on a preheated outdoor grill or indoor grill over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes on each side.
- Optional oven method: Bake the skewers in the oven at 425°F for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway. Check chicken with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
Make the Peanut Sauce
- Combine the peanut sauce ingredients in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes to thicken. Remove from heat and bring to room temperature.
- Garnish with chopped peanuts.
Chicken Satay Questions
In this recipe the satay sauce is used as a dip for the chicken skewers, but you could use it to pour over veggies or use as a salad dressing. It’s very versatile!
This chicken goes great with coconut rice, cucumber salad, noodles, broccoli or any other veggies that you love.
Satay is really a mixture of spicy and sweet. The peanut butter adds a sweet element but the sriracha gives the sauce a good kick. For meat, I like things to be a little more on the spicy side.
Serving Suggestions
Make Chicken Satay into a full meal by serving it with one of these delicious sides.
Cool Cucumber Salad: Combine 2 sliced cucumbers, 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, 6 tablespoons rice wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons water, a tablespoon of sugar, and a half teaspoon Kosher salt. Squeeze a bit of fresh lime juice over the salad when serving.
Coconut Rice: A basmati rice dish with fresh spices and vegetables simmered in coconut milk and chicken broth.
Thai Coconut Soup: Thai Coconut Soup is full of sweet coconut, tangy lime, and tender chicken.
READ MORE: 35+ Best Chicken Breast Recipes
More Great Thai Dishes
If you do opt to make the Chicken Satay as an appetizer, you’ll want to follow it up with some of these other great Thai food dishes.
How to Make Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Video
Equipment
- Outdoor Barbecue Grill
Ingredients
For The Chicken Satay
- 3 chicken breasts cut into long strips
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon curry powder
For The Peanut Dipping Sauce
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon sriracha hot sauce
- ¼ cup water
- chopped peanuts to taste
Instructions
For The Chicken Satay:
- Mix the spices together and set aside. Toss the chicken in the peanut oil then stir in the spices.
- Cover and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Thread onto skewers and place on the grill.
- Grill on medium high heat for 5-6 minutes on each side.
For The Peanut Dipping Sauce:
- In a small saucepan mix together the ingredients. Bring to a simmer and cook 1 to 2 minutes to thicken. Set aside and bring to room temperature.
Notes
- To prep the chicken, simply toss the chicken thighs or cut up chicken breasts in peanut oil, then roll them in the mixed spices in a bowl.
- Make sure to cover the chicken with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least thirty minutes.
- Once the chicken is nice and marinated, thread it onto skewers and grill, either on a grill pan over medium high heat or on grill grates outside. They should only take a couple of minutes each side.
- If you don’t have an outdoor grill or grill pan, you can bake them in the oven!
What kind of curry do you use in the chicken satay recipe?
I use the curry powder that you can find in the spice section of a grocery store. Any brand will work but I used McCormick.
I eat this as my main meal!! I love it so much. I can’t get enough of Thai flavors.
These chicken satays were so good. I loved the flavors! My family gobbled them right up and have been begging me to make them again.
I love the dipping sauce! I am excited to try that with other things, too! These are a easy & delicious appetizer!
Made it! Loved it
Is there any real reason why I can’t use Chunky Peanut Butter in the dipping sauce?
No, it’s simply a matter of preference. Chunky Peanut Butter would work just as well. Thanks for asking!
This recipe looks really delicious…can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for all the great posts!! As a college student that, one, LOVES Asian food but, two, doesn’t have any money, your site gives me hope! I can’t wait to try these recipes.
Huge hit with the family & we have 2 picky eaters! Love your website! I’ve cooked several great meals!
Go Beau!
I love chicken or pork satay, but usually pork satay not serve with peanut sauce. yummy 🙂
I can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks for all the good posts!!