Chicken satay is a popular Southeast Asian dish that features marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection and served with a rich, creamy peanut sauce. This dish is perfect for a summer barbecue or a quick weeknight dinner, offering a delightful combination of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors.
If you don't usually have ground turmeric or peanut butter in your pantry, you might need to pick them up at the supermarket. Ground turmeric adds a warm, earthy flavor and a vibrant yellow color to the chicken, while peanut butter is essential for the creamy, nutty sauce that accompanies the dish.

Ingredients For Chicken Satay Recipe
Chicken breast: Cut into strips, this is the main protein for the dish.
Soy sauce: Adds a salty, umami flavor to both the marinade and the peanut sauce.
Vegetable oil: Used in the marinade to help coat the chicken and prevent sticking on the grill.
Ground turmeric: Provides a warm, earthy flavor and a vibrant yellow color.
Peanut butter: The base for the creamy, nutty peanut sauce.
Lime juice: Adds a tangy, citrusy flavor to the peanut sauce.
Brown sugar: Sweetens the peanut sauce and balances the flavors.
Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic flavor to the peanut sauce.
Water: Used to thin out the peanut sauce to the desired consistency.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When marinating the chicken strips, ensure they are evenly coated with the soy sauce, vegetable oil, and ground turmeric. This will help the flavors penetrate the meat more effectively. For the peanut sauce, if it becomes too thick, you can add a little more water to reach your desired consistency. When grilling, avoid overcrowding the skewers on the grill to ensure even cooking and a nice char on each piece.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and flavor profile to chicken breast, making it a suitable alternative.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that offers a similar umami flavor.
vegetable oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil is a healthier option with a rich flavor that complements the dish.
ground turmeric - Substitute with curry powder: Curry powder contains turmeric and adds a similar color and flavor.
peanut butter - Substitute with almond butter: Almond butter provides a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor.
soy sauce - Substitute with coconut aminos: Coconut aminos is a soy-free alternative with a slightly sweeter taste.
lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice offers a similar acidity and citrus flavor.
brown sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey provides a natural sweetness and can be used in the same quantity.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic, though it is more concentrated.
water - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth adds extra flavor to the dish.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the chicken satay to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the chicken soggy.
Store the chicken skewers in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This keeps them fresh and prevents them from absorbing other odors in the fridge.
For the peanut sauce, transfer it to a separate airtight container. This ensures the sauce maintains its flavor and consistency.
Place both the chicken skewers and peanut sauce in the refrigerator. They can be stored for up to 3 days.
To freeze, arrange the cooled chicken skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze them for about 1-2 hours, or until they are solid. This prevents them from sticking together.
Once frozen, transfer the chicken skewers to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
For the peanut sauce, pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Label and freeze for up to 2 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the chicken skewers and peanut sauce in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the chicken in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
Warm the peanut sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until smooth and heated through. Add a splash of water if it becomes too thick.
Serve the reheated chicken satay with the warmed peanut sauce on the side, and enjoy the delicious flavors as if freshly made.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken satay on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the skewers with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is warmed through. This method helps maintain the juiciness of the chicken.
Microwave Method: Place the chicken satay on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to keep the chicken moist. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating. Be cautious not to overheat, as this can make the chicken tough.
Stovetop Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of vegetable oil to the pan. Place the chicken satay in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is warmed through. This method can help retain the chicken's flavor and texture.
Grill Method: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the chicken satay back on the grill for about 2-3 minutes on each side, just enough to warm them up without overcooking. This method can help revive the original grilled flavor of the chicken.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken satay in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Heat for about 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating. This method is quick and helps keep the chicken crispy on the outside.
Best Tools for Making This Recipe
Mixing bowl: Use this to combine the soy sauce, vegetable oil, and ground turmeric for marinating the chicken.
Skewers: These are essential for threading the marinated chicken strips before grilling.
Grill: Preheat this to medium-high heat to cook the chicken skewers evenly.
Saucepan: Use this to prepare the peanut sauce by combining peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, minced garlic, and water.
Tongs: Handy for turning the chicken skewers on the grill to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring the soy sauce, vegetable oil, ground turmeric, lime juice, and brown sugar.
Measuring cup: Use this to measure the peanut butter and water for the peanut sauce.
Knife: Essential for cutting the chicken breast into strips and mincing the garlic.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for cutting the chicken and garlic.
Whisk: Useful for mixing the ingredients of the peanut sauce until smooth.
Serving platter: Perfect for presenting the chicken satay with the peanut sauce on the side.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Marinate in advance: Prepare the chicken and marinade the night before to save time on the day of cooking.
Use pre-cut chicken: Purchase pre-cut chicken strips to avoid the hassle of cutting them yourself.
Microwave peanut sauce: Instead of using a saucepan, microwave the peanut sauce ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl for quicker preparation.
Pre-soak skewers: Soak the skewers in water while the chicken is marinating to save time later.
Batch grilling: Grill multiple chicken skewers at once to reduce overall cooking time.
Chicken Satay Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken Satay
- 500 g chicken breast cut into strips
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
Peanut Sauce
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- 1. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, vegetable oil, and ground turmeric. Add chicken strips and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- 2. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers.
- 3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill chicken skewers for 5-7 minutes on each side, until fully cooked.
- 4. For the peanut sauce, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, minced garlic, and water in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until smooth.
- 5. Serve chicken satay with peanut sauce on the side.
Nutritional Value
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