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Make your favorite Thai food appetizer at home! Our Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce recipe brings the authentic taste of Thailand right to your dinner table. Tender, marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection with a creamy, homemade peanut sauce for dipping is an unbeatable combination.
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Thai Chicken Satay Appetizer
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce is one of our favorite appetizers to order at a Thai restaurant and to make at home. Chicken Satay, a marinated and grilled chicken skewer, originated in Indoniesia and is popular throughout Southeast Asia as an appetizer or street food. When dipped in the rich, creamy peanut sauce, it’s unforgettably good. If you’re a fan of Thai food, this recipe is a must-try.
This recipe holds a special place in my heart. My husband made this dish for me for Mother’s Day one year, and I loved it. Now, it’s a regular on our meal rotation because our kids love it too. I’m excited to share this simple, yet impressive, recipe with you. It delivers exceptional flavor, and is a cost-effective alternative to eating out.
Homemade Chicken Satay Ingredients
If you’re new to cooking Thai food, this is a perfect recipe to start with. I’ve listed each ingredient along with potential substitutions, if needed.
For the Chicken Satay
- Chicken Breasts: I prefer the white meat of chicken breasts, but skinlesss thighs or tenders work equally well.
- Peanut Oil: Peanut oil has a high smoke point making it ideal for grilling, and I love the nutty flavor. Sesame oil can also be used.
- Ground Cumin: Cumin adds a warm, earthy flavor with a hint of smokiness.
- 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, deep flavor.
For the Peanut Sauce
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Any brand will work well.
- Soy Sauce: I opt for low-sodium to control the salt content.
- Rice Vinegar: The slightly sweet tanginess of rice vinegar balances the rich peanut butter.
- Honey: This adds sweetness to the sauce. Maple syrup or agave nectar are good substitutes.
- 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 and to add an extra crunchy texture.
Prepare the Chicken Satay
- 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.
- Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers.
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes beforehand to prevent burning.
Make the Creamy Peanut Sauce
- While the chicken is marinating, 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. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
- Taste and adjust as needed. Add more honey for sweetness, or Sriracha for heat.
Grill the Skewers
- Preheated outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Place the chicken skewers on the grill, cooking for 5-6 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown with grill marks. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- 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
How to Make Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
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
- 1/2 cup 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.
Video
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!
Nutrition Information
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.
READ MORE: 35+ Best Chicken Breast Recipes
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Satay is delicious on its own or as an appetizer, but you can make it a complete meal by adding one of these side dishes.
- Coconut Rice: A basmati rice dish with fresh spices and vegetables simmered in coconut milk and chicken broth.
- Spicy Cucumber Salad: Spicy cucumber salad is as simple as it sounds- a salad of cucumbers that is spicy. It’s often enjoyed as a side dish to Asian or Korean dishes.
- Peanut Noodles: Tender chicken, noodles, lots of veggies, and peanuts sautéed in a creamy peanut sauce. A perfect side dish for Chicken Satay!
- Asian Cucumber Salad: This pretty side dish has fresh flavors and crunchy textures in every bite. It’s colorful, with red peppers, carrots, and my favorite- edamame.
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 incredible Thai food dishes.
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!
Great appetizer!
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!!