Peanut Satay Chicken Skewers are a dish that seems fancy, but they’re actually super easy to make. They’re great for a summer cookout, a quick dinner, or even as snacks for a party.

The best part is the mix of savory, sweet, and a little bit of spicy taste. Everyone loves them!

Recipe Overview

These skewers are made with soft, marinated chicken grilled just right. Then, they’re covered in a yummy, creamy peanut satay sauce. The marinade flavors the chicken and is also used to make the tasty sauce.

The grill gives the chicken a smoky flavor, and the sauce adds a nutty creaminess. It’s like a party of flavors in your mouth!

You can eat these as a main dish with rice and steamed veggies. Or, if you’re having a party, they’re awesome appetizers. Just put a skewer in each piece and let everyone enjoy!

They are also great with Noodles.

Ingredients: Peanut Satay Chicken Skewers

For the Marinade & Sauce:

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce (the kind with less salt is better)
1/4 cup coconut milk (the full-fat kind tastes the best)
2 tablespoons lime juice (fresh is best!)
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (add more or less, depending on how spicy you like it)
2 cloves garlic, chopped up small
1-inch piece of ginger, grated

For the Chicken:

1.5 pounds of chicken breasts (without bones or skin), cut into 1-inch cubes
Wooden or metal skewers (if you use wooden ones, soak them in water for 30 minutes before grilling)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions:

Peanut Butter: Smooth peanut butter makes the sauce creamy. You can try crunchy, but the sauce will be a bit different.
Soy Sauce: The kind with less salt helps keep the dish from being too salty. If you only have regular, use a little less.
Coconut Milk: Full-fat coconut milk makes the sauce richer and creamier.
Honey: If you don’t have honey, you can use maple syrup instead.
Fish Sauce: This adds a special savory flavor. But if you don’t have it, use an extra teaspoon of soy sauce.
Ginger: Fresh ginger is best. But if you don’t have it, you can use 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the Marinade: Get a medium bowl. Put all the marinade ingredients in it: peanut butter, soy sauce, coconut milk, lime juice, honey, fish sauce, brown sugar, coriander, cumin, turmeric, cayenne pepper, garlic, and ginger. Whisk it all together until it’s smooth.
Marinate the Chicken: Put the chicken cubes in the bowl with the marinade. Mix it all up so the chicken is covered. Put a lid on the bowl and stick it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. It’s even better if you let it sit for a couple of hours, or even overnight! The longer it marinates, the tastier it will be.
Prepare the Sauce: Take out about 1/3 cup of the marinade and put it aside. This will be used to make the satay sauce.
Thread the Skewers: If you’re using wooden skewers, make sure they’ve been soaking in water. This keeps them from burning. Put the chicken pieces on the skewers. Leave a little bit of space between each piece.
Grill the Chicken: Turn your grill on to medium-high heat. When it’s hot, put the chicken skewers on the grill. Cook them for about 5-7 minutes on each side. The chicken should be cooked all the way through and have some nice grill marks. The inside of the chicken should be 165°F (74°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check.
Make the Satay Sauce: While the chicken is grilling, it’s time to make the sauce. Get a small pot. Put the marinade you set aside in it, along with 1/4 cup of water. Heat it up over medium heat and stir it. Cook it for about 2-3 minutes, until the sauce gets a little thicker. If it’s too thick, add a bit more water, a little at a time.
Serve: When the chicken is done, take the skewers off the grill. Serve them right away. Pour the warm peanut satay sauce over them. You can also add some chopped peanuts, cilantro, or green onions on top if you want.

Variations & Tips

Spice it Up: Want it spicier? Add more cayenne pepper or some chopped chili peppers to the marinade.
Make-Ahead: You can marinate the chicken and put it on skewers up to a day before. Just keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to grill.
Storage: If you have leftover skewers, put them in a container in the fridge. They’ll be good for up to 3 days.
Reheating: To reheat, use a pan on the stove, the microwave, or the oven. Heat them until they’re warm. If the sauce is too thick, add a little water or coconut milk.
Different protein: You could also make this dish with shrimp, or tofu cut into cubes.

Key Details: Peanut Satay Chicken Skewers

Prep time: 20 minutes (plus time for the chicken to marinate)
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes (plus time for the chicken to marinate)
Servings: 4-6 people
Equipment you’ll need: Bowls for mixing, skewers, a grill (or a grill pan), a small pot, a whisk.

FAQ

Can I bake these instead of grilling?

Yes! Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Put the skewers on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked.

Can I use a grill pan instead of an outdoor grill?

Yes, a grill pan works great! Heat it on your stove over medium-high heat. Then, follow the same cooking steps.

My sauce is too thick. What should I do?

Add a little water or coconut milk, a little bit at a time. Stir it well each time you add more.

My sauce is too thin. What should I do?

Keep cooking the sauce over medium heat. Stir it often. It will get thicker. You can also mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and add that to the sauce.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the sauce a day or two before. Keep it in a container in the fridge. Heat it up gently before you serve it.

Is it okay if the chicken is slightly pink inside?

No, make sure that the chicken is fully cooked. Check it with a meat thermometer, it has to be 165°F (74°C).

Peanut Satay Chicken Skewers

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 15

Total Time 35

Course Appetizer, Main Dish

Cuisine Asian-Inspired

Servings 4 servings

Calories 550 kcal

Ingredients

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce low sodium
1/4 cup coconut milk full-fat
2 tablespoons lime juice fresh
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cloves garlic chopped
1- inch piece of ginger grated
1.5 pounds chicken breasts boneless, skinless, cubed
Wooden or metal skewers

Instructions

Make the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, coconut milk, lime juice, honey, fish sauce, brown sugar, coriander, cumin, turmeric, cayenne pepper, garlic, and ginger until smooth.
Marinate the Chicken: Add chicken cubes to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
Prepare the Sauce: Reserve 1/3 cup of the marinade for the satay sauce.
Thread Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers, leaving a small space between pieces.
Grill Chicken: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill skewers for 5-7 minutes per side, until chicken is cooked through to 165°F (74°C) and has grill marks.
Make Satay Sauce: In a small pot, combine reserved marinade with 1/4 cup water. Heat over medium heat, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Add more water if sauce is too thick.
Serve: Remove skewers from grill and serve immediately. Drizzle warm peanut satay sauce over skewers. Garnish with chopped peanuts, cilantro, or green onions if desired.