Meat, South and Southeast Asian
Chicken satay skewers with peanut sauce and rice
Chicken satay is a skewer dish made with turmeric marinated chicken, served with peanut sauce, basmati rice, and cucumber. For 4 people, it takes 45 minutes and stays easy to make, at about €3.00 per serving. The key to getting it right is a well flavored marinade and a sauce that's neither too thick nor too runny.
Satay skewers always make everyone happy, with turmeric scented chicken and a peanut sauce the kids will love.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost per person
- €3.00
- Calories per person
- 570 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
- Season
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- The kids
- They generally like it
Chicken marinated in turmeric, garlic, and lemongrass turns a deep golden color and tastes far more interesting than plain grilled chicken. Grilled for just a few minutes, the skewers stay juicy inside with lightly caramelized edges from the sugar in the marinade. The peanut sauce, smooth and slightly spicy, coats everything without overpowering the chicken.
This is a dish kids and adults both enjoy, perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something different without spending hours in the kitchen. It also works well for guests, since skewers are fun to eat with your hands and bring energy to the table. Raw cucumber adds the freshness that balances the sauce, and the rice soaks up whatever peanut sauce is left on the plate.
The ingredients
Butcher
- Chicken breasts 700 g
Fruits and vegetables
- Lemongrass 1
- Garlic 3 cloves
- Cucumber 1
- Red onion 1
Pantry
- Peanut butter 4 tbsp
- Coconut milk 10 cl
- Basmati riceoften in the pantry 300 g
- Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
- Soy sauceoften in the pantry 4 tbsp
- Brown sugaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
- Neutral oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
- Chili powderoften in the pantry 1 pinch
- Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
Allergens Peanuts, Soy, Gluten
The step by step recipe
-
Cut the chicken into even cubes and marinate it with the turmeric, crushed garlic, chopped lemongrass, half the soy sauce, and the oil. 20 min
Turmeric stains your fingers, use a bowl and a spoon.
-
Make the sauce by heating the peanut butter, coconut milk, the rest of the soy sauce, the sugar, and the chili powder with a bit of water, stirring as it cooks. 8 min
Add hot water if it thickens too much, it should coat the back of a spoon without sticking.
-
Cook the rice in salted water, then cover it. 12 min
Rinse it before cooking, it will turn out lighter.
-
Thread the chicken onto the skewers and grill it, turning as it cooks, in a grill pan or under the oven broiler. 12 min
Don't pack the pieces too tightly, the heat needs to circulate for even cooking.
-
Serve the skewers with the rice, the warm sauce, and slices of cucumber and red onion.
A squeeze of lime in the sauce makes the dish taste much brighter.
Our tips to get it right
- If you have time, marinate the chicken for an hour in the fridge instead of just 20 minutes, the turmeric and lemongrass flavors penetrate much better.
- Cut the chicken cubes roughly the same size so they all cook evenly on the grill.
- Taste the peanut sauce before serving and adjust the chili or sugar to your liking, it should stay balanced rather than overpowering the dish.
The variations
- Swap the chicken for firm tofu marinated the same way, for a vegetarian version that's just as flavorful.
- Use pork or shrimp instead of chicken, the marinade and peanut sauce work just as well with either.
- For a faster weeknight version, skip the marinating step and season the chicken right before cooking, the sauce will carry most of the flavor.
What to serve it with
- A crunchy cabbage salad
- Iced mint tea
- Sauteed bean sprouts
Storage
Cooked chicken and sauce keep for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container, stored separately from the rice. The peanut sauce freezes well, but grilled chicken tends to dry out once thawed. Reheat the chicken in a pan over low heat and loosen the sauce with a splash of water.
Questions about this dish
Can you make the skewers ahead of time?
Yes, you can marinate the chicken the night before and keep it in a sealed container in the fridge. Thread and grill the skewers just before serving so they stay juicy.
What if I don't have lemongrass?
You can leave it out without issue, the turmeric and garlic already flavor the chicken well. A bit of lime zest can also stand in for it to add brightness.
Does the peanut sauce freeze well?
Yes, pour the cooled sauce into an airtight container and freeze it for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge, then reheat gently, adding a little water if it has thickened.
How do you adapt this recipe for young kids?
Leave the chili out of the sauce for sensitive palates and cut the chicken into smaller cubes before grilling. You can also serve the chicken off the skewer to avoid any risk.
How long does it take to make chicken satay skewers with peanut sauce, cucumber, and rice?
Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.
How many calories are in chicken satay skewers with peanut sauce, cucumber, and rice?
About 570 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.
How much does chicken satay skewers with peanut sauce, cucumber, and rice cost?
About €3.00 per serving, or €12.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.
What allergens does this recipe contain?
This recipe contains peanuts, soy, gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.
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