Okay, imagine this: juicy, tender chicken marinated in a rich, flavorful Thai-inspired sauce, grilled to perfection, and then served with a creamy, peanut-y dipping sauce that’s so good you’ll be tempted to just drink it straight from the bowl. These Thai-style grilled chicken satay skewers are not just a snack; they’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser for your next BBQ or dinner party. I’m talking flavor-packed, grill-kissed goodness with a sauce that’s basically its own love language. Grab your skewers, and let’s make this happen—you’ll be the hero of your kitchen (or backyard).
Outdoor grilling for most of us takes place in summer, and these skewers are ideal for BBQs, cookouts, or casual summer dinner parties, but if you have an indoor grill pan, broiler, or cast-iron skillet you can make this party happen year-round (and believe me, you'll want to).
Thai-style chicken skewers with peanut sauce are packed with bold flavors, and I love to serve them with coconut rice (my all-time favorite rice!), a green vegetable or salad, and lime coconut water or a Thai basil mojito. Let's get started!
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Why You'll Love These Incredible Chicken Satay Skewers
- Juicy, Flavor-Packed Chicken with Big Thai Energy. The chicken is marinated in a fragrant blend of coconut milk, curry, garlic, and spices, making every bite tender, juicy, and bursting with bold flavor.
- The Peanut Sauce Deserves Its Own Fan Club. Rich, creamy, sweet, and just a little spicy, this dipping sauce is so good you’ll want to drizzle it on everything—rice, veggies, maybe even your fingers.
- It’s Like Street Food, but in Your Backyard. These skewers bring that smoky, char-grilled deliciousness straight from the streets of Thailand to your grill. You’ll feel like a travel-savvy foodie without leaving home.
- Perfect for Meal Prep or Leftovers. Make a big batch and enjoy them cold or reheated. They’re just as delicious the next day, especially when paired with extra peanut sauce (because there’s never enough).
- Grilled Chicken on a Stick = Winning. It’s chicken. It’s grilled. It’s on a stick. Need we say more?
Ingredients
There are 2 components to this dish: The chicken skewers, and the killer peanut dipping sauce. To make the chicken and marinade, you will need:
- chicken breasts or thighs
- soy sauce
- fish sauce
- coconut milk
- lime juice
- brown sugar
- yellow curry powder
- ginger
- garlic powder
- chili powder
- vegetable oil
- sriracha
- skewers
For the peanut dipping sauce, you will need:
- creamy peanut butter
- soy sauce
- ground ginger
- brown sugar
- fish sauce
- coconut milk
- sriracha
- lime juice
- chopped peanuts (optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
To make Thai-style chicken skewers with peanut dipping sauce, marinate bite-sized chicken pieces in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, fish sauce, lime, coconut milk, and spices, then grill the skewers to perfection and serve with a creamy, tangy peanut dipping sauce.
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces (1 to 1-½ inches square). In a large bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients (soy sauce, fish sauce, coconut milk, lime juice, brown sugar, curry powder, garlic powder, ginger, chili powder, vegetable oil, and sriracha). Set aside ¼ cup marinade in a separate container before adding chicken, to brush on during or after grilling.
- Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or for more intense flavor marinate up to overnight in the refrigerator.
- To prepare the peanut dipping sauce, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, ground ginger, brown sugar, fish sauce, coconut milk, sriracha, and lime juice.
- Gradually add warm water a tablespoon at a time, stirring until the sauce reaches your desired consistency (smooth, but still thick enough for dipping). Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
5. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to keep them from burning on the grill.
6. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers, making sure to leave a little space between each piece. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and has nice grill marks (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C). Brush extra marinade on the chicken during or after grilling if desired for extra flavor.
7. Arrange the grilled chicken skewers on a serving platter. Serve with the peanut dipping sauce on the side, garnished with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro, if desired.
What Spices Are in Yellow Curry Powder?
Yellow curry powder is a popular spice blend used in various cuisines, especially in Thai and Indian cooking. It is known for its vibrant yellow color and mild, aromatic flavor.
Typical ingredients include turmeric, coriander, cumin, ginger, fenugreek, mustard seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and chili powder. The specific blend and proportions can vary, but curry always brings the FLAVOR!
Substitutions
Brown Sugar: You can swap the brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
Lime Juice: If you don’t have limes or lime juice, substitute lemon juice for a similar citrus flavor.
Pork or Beef: Thinly sliced pork or beef can be used in place of chicken for a different flavor profile. They will still work well with the Thai marinade and grilling method.
Chicken Breasts or Chicken Thighs?
Using chicken breasts for Thai-style chicken satay skewers will give you a leaner, milder flavor, while chicken thighs offer a juicier, more flavorful result due to their higher fat content. Breasts and thighs have a slightly different texture and mouthfeel, so choose whichever one you like better for this application.
Variations
Tahini: For a sesame-flavored alternative, use tahini instead of peanut butter for a creamy and slightly nutty sauce.
Spicy: If you like more spice, increase the sriracha and/or chili powder as needed, or add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Equipment
To make Thai-style grilled chicken satay skewers with peanut dipping sauce, you will need:
- Grill or Grill Pan – For cooking the chicken skewers, either an outdoor grill or an indoor grill pan works well.
- Skewers – Wooden or metal skewers to thread the marinated chicken. (If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.)
- Mixing Bowls – For marinating the chicken and mixing the peanut dipping sauce.
- Whisk or Spoon – To mix the peanut sauce and marinade ingredients.
- Basting Brush (optional) – To brush the chicken with any remaining marinade during grilling.
- Tongs – For turning the skewers on the grill.
- Meat thermometer - For checking that the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
- Serving Platter – To arrange the grilled skewers before serving.
- Small Sauce Dish or Bowl – To serve the peanut dipping sauce on the side.
How to Store Chicken Satay Skewers and Peanut Dipping Sauce
Cool the Skewers: Allow the grilled chicken skewers to cool to room temperature before storing them to prevent moisture buildup in the storage container.
Refrigerate: Place the cooled chicken skewers in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Peanut Sauce: If you have leftover peanut dipping sauce, store it separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Reheat: To reheat the chicken skewers, place them on a baking sheet in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat them on the grill, microwave, or in a skillet over medium heat.
Freezing (Optional): If you want to store the skewers for a longer period, you can freeze them. After cooling, wrap the skewers tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
FAQ
Satay is a popular dish originating from Southeast Asia, consisting of skewered and grilled meat, usually served with a flavorful dipping sauce. In Thai cuisine, chicken satay is often marinated in a mix of spices and coconut milk, then grilled to perfection and served with a creamy peanut sauce.
Chicken is the most common meat used in Thai-style satay, but you can also use beef, pork, or even tofu for a vegetarian version. Chicken is preferred for its tenderness and ability to soak up the marinade.
Yes! You can make the peanut dipping sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. It may thicken over time, so you can add a little water or coconut milk to thin it out when ready to serve.
Absolutely! If you don’t have access to a grill, you can cook the skewers in an indoor grill pan, broil them in the oven, or even cook them on a stovetop using a non-stick or cast iron pan. The goal is to get a nice char and grill marks on the chicken, so any high-heat method will work.
The level of spiciness can vary depending on the recipe. Thai satay typically has a mild to moderate heat due to ingredients like curry powder, chili, and garlic in the marinade. However, if you prefer a less spicy version, you can adjust the amount of chili or omit it altogether.
This recipe uses curry powder, chili powder, and sriracha as spicy ingredients. You can add more or less of these ingredients to vary the spice level.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Thai-style grilled chicken satay skewers with peanut dipping sauce:
Thai-Style Grilled Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Dipping Sauce
Equipment
- 8-12 skewers to thread the marinated chicken
- outdoor grill or grill pan for cooking the chicken skewers
- mixing bowls for marinating the chicken and mixing the peanut dipping sauce
- whisk or spoon to mix the marinade and peanut sauce ingredients
- basting brush (optional) to brush on extra sauce during grilling
- Tongs for turning the skewers on the grill
- meat thermometer for checking that the chicken is fully cooked
- serving platter to arrange the grilled skewers before serving
- small sauce dish or bowl to serve the peanut dipping sauce on the side
Ingredients
CHICKEN SKEWERS AND MARINADE
- 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or other flavorless oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1-½ tablespoons yellow curry powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ½ tablespoon sriracha to taste
- 8-12 skewers
PEANUT DIPPING SAUCE
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ¼ cup coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces (1- to 1-½-inch pieces). Make sure the pieces are uniform in size so they cook at the same rate.
- In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, coconut milk, curry powder, garlic powder, ginger, chili powder, vegetable oil, and sriracha. Reserve and refrigerate ¼ cup marinade separate from chicken to brush on chicken during or after grilling. Add the raw chicken pieces to the remaining marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator.
- For the peanut dipping sauce, in a medium bowl whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, ground ginger, brown sugar, coconut milk, and sriracha. Gradually add warm water a tablespoon at a time, stirring until the sauce reaches your desired consistency (smooth but still thick enough for dipping).
- If using wooden skewers, soak the in water for 30 minutes before using so they don't burn on the grill. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers, making sure to leave a little space between each piece.
- Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side or until the chicken is fully cooked through and has nice grill marks (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C). Brush extra marinade on the chicken during or after grilling if desired for extra flavor.
- Arrange the grilled chicken skewers on a serving platter. Serve with the peanut dipping sauce on the side, garnished with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro if desired.
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