Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

Tender, juicy Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce is packed with flavor and so easy to make! Bite-size pieces of chicken are marinated in a delicious peanut ginger sauce, threaded onto skewers and grilled until perfectly tender. Serve with my creamy homemade peanut sauce for an easy, healthy dinner the whole family will love.

Chicken satay is one of those meals that has SO much flavor without requiring a ton of work. The chicken gets marinated in a simple mixture of peanut butter, soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, lime and sesame oil, then grilled until juicy and lightly charred.

This healthier Chicken Satay recipe has become a favorite in our house because it’s easy to prep ahead of time, high in protein and made without any refined sugar. Serve these skewers over rice, with veggies or a simple salad and don’t forget plenty of that creamy peanut sauce for dipping!

What is Chicken Satay?

Chicken satay is a popular Southeast Asian dish made with seasoned or marinated chicken that’s threaded onto skewers and grilled. You’ll commonly see satay served with a rich peanut dipping sauce.

My version uses chicken breast marinated in a flavorful peanut ginger marinade and is naturally sweetened with just a little honey. It’s an easy way to make chicken skewers that are anything but boring!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• So much flavor – fresh ginger, garlic, lime, sesame oil and peanut butter make this chicken incredibly flavorful.
• Healthy and high in protein – lean chicken breast makes this a protein-packed meal while honey adds just the right amount of sweetness without refined sugar.
• Easy to prep ahead – marinate the chicken the night before and dinner comes together quickly the next day.
• Perfect for grilling season – these chicken skewers cook in just 10 to 12 minutes on the grill.
• Family-friendly – you can easily adjust the red pepper flakes depending on how much spice your family likes.
• That peanut sauce – the creamy peanut dipping sauce really takes this chicken satay to the next level.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• chicken – I use 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs would work well too and will be even more tender.
• peanut butter – I recommend natural creamy peanut butter without added sugar. Peanut butter adds richness and a delicious nutty flavor to the marinade.
• soy sauce – low-sodium soy sauce gives us plenty of savory flavor without making the chicken too salty. Use tamari or coconut aminos if needed.
• rice vinegar – adds acidity and helps balance the richness of the peanut butter. Apple cider vinegar or additional lime juice can also be used.
• lime juice – fresh lime juice adds brightness and acidity to the marinade.
• sesame oil – adds that delicious toasted, nutty flavor.
• honey – just two teaspoons lightly sweetens the marinade without using refined sugar. Maple syrup works too.
• fresh ginger + garlic – these add SO much flavor, so I definitely recommend using fresh if possible.
• red pepper flakes – adds a little heat. Feel free to reduce or omit this for kids or add more if you like things spicy.
• peanut sauce – my creamy homemade peanut dipping sauce takes less than 5 minutes to make and is perfect for drizzling and dipping.

How to Make Chicken Satay

1. Make the marinade. Whisk together the soy sauce, peanut butter, rice vinegar, lime juice, sesame oil, honey, fresh ginger, garlic, crushed red pepper and a little salt and pepper until smooth and combined.
2. Marinate the chicken. Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces and place in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Reserve a few tablespoons of the marinade, then pour the remaining marinade over the chicken and toss until completely coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
3. Make the peanut sauce. While the chicken marinates, whisk together my homemade peanut dipping sauce and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
4. Prepare the skewers. If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling. Thread about 5 pieces of chicken onto each skewer.
5. Grill the chicken. Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. Grill the chicken skewers for about 5 to 6 minutes per side, brushing with the reserved marinade as they cook.
6. Serve. Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F using a meat thermometer, remove the skewers from the grill. Top with chopped cilantro and green onions and serve with plenty of peanut sauce for dipping or drizzling.

Tips for the Best Chicken Satay

• Cut the chicken evenly – keeping the pieces roughly the same size helps everything cook at the same rate.
• Give it time to marinate – 30 minutes works when you’re short on time, but a few hours gives the chicken even more flavor.
• Don’t overcook the chicken – chicken breast can dry out quickly, so remove it from the grill once the thickest pieces reach 165°F.
• Don’t crowd the skewers – leave just a little room between the pieces so the chicken cooks evenly and gets those delicious grilled edges.
• Use a meat thermometer – using a meat thermometer is the easiest way to make sure your chicken is juicy and safely cooked without overdoing it.
• Make extra peanut sauce – trust me on this one! The peanut sauce is delicious drizzled over the chicken, rice and veggies.

Don’t Forget to Soak Wooden Skewers

If you’re using wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before adding the chicken. This helps prevent the skewers from burning or charring too much on the grill.

You can also use reusable metal skewers and skip the soaking altogether. Just remember that metal skewers get extremely hot, so always handle them with tongs or heat-resistant gloves.

Can I Make Chicken Satay without a Grill?

Absolutely! This chicken satay is just as easy to make in the oven. Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers and arrange them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for about 20 to 25 minutes, turning the skewers halfway through, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

For a little extra color, you can place the skewers under the broiler for a minute or two at the end. Just keep a close eye on them so they don’t burn.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

• Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
• Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad
• Saucy Peanut Noodles with Chicken
• Mediterranean Chicken Meatballs
• Greek Chicken Skewers

Hope you all enjoy these Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce and if you love this as much as we do, please leave me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I love seeing all your delicious recreations!