The Marinade
Taking inspiration from Thailand and Indonesia, this satay marinade incorporates many bright and strong flavors. The creamy coconut milk, the pungent trinity of garlic, ginger, and lemongrass, and the savory combination of fish and soy sauce, work in unison to create an immensely flavorful yet balanced marinade. The marinades effect does not stop simply at imparting flavor. During the grilling process, the brown sugar and the natural sugars within the coconut milk caramelize, helping the chicken form a wonderful crust.
Why the peanut sauce pairs so well?
A peanut butter-based sauce may seem a little odd to some people but hear me out. Peanuts, especially when they are roasted, naturally have a savory essence. When combined into a sauce, the peanut butter not only adds a rich, nutty and umami flavor but also acts as a creamy element that compliments the crunchy chicken skewers. Additionally, the fats in the peanut butter help balance out the many strong aromatics and sauces in the chicken marinade. The addition of lime juice and sambal, which in my opinion is a must-have pantry item due to its versatility, elevates the sauce from simply some “Jif” peanut butter into a luxurious and flavorful condiment.
A great dish for the summer
Now that the weather is finally starting to warm up again, it means it’s time to fire up the grill. Yes, you can definitely keep it classic with some burgers and hotdogs at your next family barbecue, but why not spice it up a bit and throw some of these chicken satay skewers on the grill grates as well. Not only do they look gorgeous with their grill marks and their bright yellow hue, but they will surely bring in a steady flow of compliments. Trust me.
Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce Recipe
Difficulty: Easy4
skewers10
minutes20
minutesFlavorful and juicy chicken skewers with a creamy and spicy peanut sauce
Ingredients
- For The Chicken Skewers
Wooden skewers(soaked in water)
1.5 pounds chicken thighs
1/3 cup coconut milk
2 teaspoons minced lemongrass
2 teaspoons minced ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
Fresh cilantro for garnish
- For The Peanut Sauce
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter(no sugar added)
1 tablespoon sambal(Indonesian chili paste)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/3 cup water
Directions
- Cut the chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes.
- In a large bowl, combine chicken with coconut milk, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, turmeric, curry powder, and brown sugar. Mix thoroughly and allow the chicken to sit in the fridge for at least 3 hours to marinade.
- Put 5-6 pieces of chicken onto each wooden skewer. Grill the skewers for approximately 15 minutes or until a nice crust has developed on the chicken.
- To make the peanut sauce, combine peanut butter, sambal, soy sauce, lime juice, and water in a bowl. Mix until smooth.
- On a plate, place your skewers side by side. Drizzle with the peanut sauce and garnish with a few cilantro leaves.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Soaking your wooden skewers in water for at least 1 hour helps prevent them from burning on the grill
If you enjoyed this post, check out my last recipe on earl grey milk tea with homemade boba.
