Description
Bring a taste of Thai street food into your home with this bold and flavorful Chicken Satay with Easy Thai Peanut Sauce. Juicy grilled chicken is marinated in aromatic spices and coconut milk, then skewered and grilled to perfection. Served with a creamy, spicy, and tangy peanut sauce, it’s the ultimate combo of savory, sweet, and smoky. Whether you’re looking for quick dinner ideas, an easy recipe for meal prep, or party food inspiration, this one delivers every time. Perfect for BBQs, weeknight meals, or even as an appetizer, this dish brings big flavor with minimal fuss.
Ingredients
1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
3 tablespoons coconut milk
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 minced garlic cloves
½ teaspoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon lemongrass paste or finely chopped fresh lemongrass
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
½ cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons red curry paste
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon lime juice
½ cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons warm water
1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce or Sriracha (optional)
Instructions
1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together coconut milk, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, curry powder, turmeric, cumin, garlic, coriander, lemongrass, and oil. Add chicken strips and mix to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
2. If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
3. In a blender, combine peanut butter, red curry paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, and coconut milk. Blend until smooth. Add warm water gradually to reach desired consistency. Adjust seasoning to taste.
4. Remove chicken from marinade and thread onto skewers, spacing evenly.
5. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Lightly oil the surface.
6. Grill chicken skewers for 3–4 minutes per side, or until cooked through (165°F internal temperature) and lightly charred.
7. Transfer skewers to a platter and serve hot with peanut sauce.
8. Optionally, garnish with chopped peanuts, cilantro, or lime wedges.
Notes
For best results, marinate the chicken overnight—this enhances the flavor dramatically.
If using chicken breasts, don’t overcook; remove them from heat right at 165°F to keep them juicy.
Refrigerated peanut sauce thickens—thin it with water or coconut milk before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3–4 skewers with sauce
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Chicken Satay, Thai Peanut Sauce, easy recipe, quick dinner, Thai food ideas