Chicken satay is a popular Southeast Asian dish of seasoned, skewered, and grilled chicken, served with a rich and creamy peanut sauce. This simplified version is incredibly fast and delivers an authentic, delicious flavor. The chicken is quickly pan-seared, and the peanut sauce comes together in minutes.
- Yields: 4 appetizer servings (about 8-10 skewers)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into thin strips
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Wooden skewers, soaked in water for at least 10 minutes
For the Quick Peanut Sauce:
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1-2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce (like Sriracha), or to taste
- 2-4 tablespoons hot water, to thin
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the chicken strips with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, turmeric, coriander, and minced garlic. Toss to coat well. Thread the marinated chicken strips onto the soaked wooden skewers.
- Make the Peanut Sauce: In another bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, honey, lime juice, and chili garlic sauce. Add the hot water, one tablespoon at a time, whisking until the sauce is smooth and reaches a pourable, yet thick, consistency.
- Cook the Satay: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the chicken skewers in the hot pan in a single layer (work in batches if necessary).
- Sear: Cook the skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, until the chicken is golden-brown, lightly charred, and cooked through.
- Serve: Arrange the hot chicken satay skewers on a platter with the bowl of peanut sauce on the side for dipping. Garnish with chopped peanuts or cilantro if desired.
