The chicken marinates before it goes on the skewers; a step that both flavors the meat and keeps it from drying out on the grill, which is the risk with lean chicken breast cut into small pieces. The peanut sauce is warm, made from peanut butter with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, lime, and a little heat, and it is the kind of sauce that makes people ask for the recipe before they are even finished eating.
Satay works as a main course or as a starter shared between two people, and the recipe is sized to work either way. Thread the chicken onto skewers the night before if you want dinner to come together even faster. The marinade does its best work overnight, and the peanut sauce takes five minutes on the day.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.
Key Ingredients in This Recipe:
You’ll find the complete list of ingredients and exact quantities in the recipe below.
FOR THE SATAY
- Chicken breast
- Olive oil
- Lime juice & zest
- Garlic
- Maple syrup
- Cilantro
- Spices: cumin, chili powder
FOR THE PEANUT SAUCE
- Smooth peanut butter
- Coconut milk
- Soy sauce
- Red curry paste
- Light brown sugar
- Lime juice
How to Make Chicken Satay for Two
Step 1 – Marinade the chicken. Transfer all ingredients for the marinade into the bowl and mix. Cut the chicken in pieces of equally-sized cubes and place them in the marinade. Cover the bowl or seal the bag. Marinade the chicken for at least 30 minutes – 2 hours, keeping the bowl in the fridge.
Step 2 – When you’re ready to cook, in a grill pan or outside on the grill, thread the chicken pieces on skewers (discard the marinade). If you want to use wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water for approx. 2 hours. If you’re using metal skewers, make sure you have a pan holder ready when you take them off the grill – the skewers will be too hot to handle with your bare hands. While the chicken cooks you can make your peanut sauce.
Step 3 – Place the chicken skewers on a heated grill and cook for about 3 minutes each side at approx. 350°F. Cooking time may vary as it depends on the size of chicken cubes.
How to Make The Peanut Sauce for Two
- Place all the ingredients for the peanut sauce, except the lime juice, in a sauce pan.
- Heat over medium heat and stir to combine.
- Simmer slowly for a few minutes, stir every now and then.
- Add the lime juice and turn the heat off.
- This sauce should be relatively thick, but still pourable. If it is too thick, add some water.
- Keep warm until the chicken is ready
- Pour some of the sauce over the chicken and serve the rest in a bowl.
Serve the Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce with rice, bread or any other grain. I placed the skewers on a bed of Herbed Pearl Couscous with Zucchini. This same peanut sauce can be used in other recipes as well, like Halloumi Cucumber Kebabs.
I hope you will try this recipe.
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Pin Recipe Facebook Share by TextIngredients
- 8 ounces chicken breast
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 limes, zest and juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
Peanut Sauce
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 7 ounces coconut milk
- 2 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 lime, juice only
Garnish
- cilantro, torn or chopped
Instructions
Marinade
- Mix all the ingredients of the marinade in a bowl or sealable bag.
- Cut the chicken breast in cubes, all about the same size. (NOTE 1)
- Transfer the chicken to the marinade. Cover bowl or close bag and place in the refrigerator for min. 2 hours, max. overnight.
Skewers
- Thread the chicken onto the skewers (NOTE 2)
- Discard the marinade.
- Place the chicken skewers on a heated grill and cook for about 3 minutes each side at approx. 350°F. Time may vary as it depends on the size of chicken cubes.
Peanut Sauce
- Place all ingredients for the peanut sauce (except the lime juice) in a small saucepan and heat on medium low.
- Stir regularly and allow to slowly simmer for a few minutes.
- The sauce will thicken, but should be pourable. Add the lime juice. If sauce too thick, add a little bit of water.
- Remove chicken skewers from the grill and place onto a platter.
- Pour some of the sauce over the chicken and serve the rest in a bowl.
- Garnish the chicken with cilantro (NOTE 3)
Notes
- Cut the chicken in relatively equal pieces, so they all need the same cooking time.
- If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 2 hours.
- You can also sprinkle some chopped peanuts over the chicken.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.