When you want everyone to agree on what to eat, make Chicken Satay. Grilled chicken skewers flavored with soy, lime, and ginger and served with a peanut dipping sauce, they taste succulent, a little spicy, and a little sweet. Satay is easy to make, scrumptious to eat, and there’s something inexplicably fun about eating food on a stick!.
Chicken satay is a popular Indonesian appetizer or main dish. It is made with tender strips of chicken that are marinated in a mix of tasty spices and skewered. Not only is the juicy, flavorful meat in chicken satay appealing, but so are the tasty sauces and sides that go with it. Here are 10 creative ways to serve your chicken satay that will make your taste buds dance.
1. Peanut Sauce
A tangy peanut sauce is the classic pairing for chicken satay It provides a nutty depth and creaminess that complements the spices used to flavor the meat You can keep it simple with just peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, lime, ginger and cilantro. Or amp it up with chili garlic sauce or curry powder. Peanut sauce is so versatile – drizzle it over the chicken or serve it on the side for dipping.
2. Cucumber Salad
A light cucumber salad offers a refreshing contrast to the rich peanut sauce and savory chicken. Simply toss thinly sliced cucumbers with a dressing of rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and a touch of sugar. The cool crispness balances out the other flavors perfectly.
3. Coconut Rice
Coconut rice is another traditional accompaniment for chicken satay. The sweet coconut flavor and fluffy rice texture pair wonderfully with the meat and sauce. Cook jasmine or basmati rice with coconut milk instead of water. You can toss in some chopped cilantro or pineapple chunks for extra flavor.
4. Spicy Noodles
If you want a bigger meal, chicken satay tastes great over spicy noodles. Rice noodles or ramen noodles work well. Soy sauce, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, and vegetables like bok choy, broccoli, and bell peppers can be used to make your own noodle dish. The noodles soak up that delicious peanut sauce nicely.
5. Grilled Pineapple
If you want to add something sweet to balance the other flavors, grilled pineapple is a great choice. The caramelized, smoky pineapple complements the char-grilled chicken perfectly. Simply brush pineapple slices with a little oil and grill them until they have nice grill marks.
6. Vegetable Skewers
You can grill more than just chicken on skewers. Use chunks of onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, or anything else you like to make vegetable skewers. Brush them with oil and your favorite seasonings before grilling. The vegetable skewers make the plate look nicer and give people more choices.
7. Steamed Vegetables
For a lighter side, try simple steamed vegetables like broccoli, carrots, snap peas or bok choy. A spritz of lemon juice brightens up the veggies nicely. Steamed vegetables provide a wholesome, nutritious pairing for the chicken and sauce.
8. Fried Rice
For an easy fried rice, stir-fry leftover rice or grains with vegetables, eggs, soy sauce, and sesame oil. That peanut sauce will go great with the slightly charred rice. Fried rice fills you up, but not too much before the chicken.
9. Fresh Spring Rolls
For a no-cook option, serve fresh spring rolls on the side. Filled with refreshing ingredients like cucumber, carrot, mint, vermicelli noodles and lettuce, they are packed with crunchy texture and brightness. The cool, crisp rolls offset the warm chicken satay perfectly.
10. Roti Canai
In Malaysia, chicken satay is often served with a flatbread called roti canai. Similar to an Indian paratha, it has a flakey layered texture that’s perfect for scooping up sauce. Roti canai is fantastic for wrapping up bits of chicken and rice too. Offer roti canai wedges alongside the skewers for a fun, interactive dining experience.
The beauty of chicken satay is that it can be paired with so many flavors, textures and dishes. Try out different combinations until you find your favorites! From classic peanut sauce to interesting additions like pineapple or roti, the possibilities are endless.
How to Make Baked Chicken Satay
Here are some tips for making chicken satay skewers without a grill.
Personally, I prefer the char the grill (or a grill pan on the stovetop) adds, but if you don’t have access, the oven will still produce good results.
- After following the directions for marinating the chicken, soak the skewers and make the peanut sauce.
- Place the chicken skewers on a baking sheet with a lip when you’re ready to cook them.
- For 5 to 6 minutes, until the chicken is golden on the outside and cooked all the way through, broil the skewers.
- To Store. Skewers that are left over can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Keep the peanut sauce in a separate container that won’t let air in for up to four days.
- To Reheat. Take the chicken off the skewers and put it on a baking sheet. Let it cool down, then heat it up in the oven at 350 degrees F. Serve the satay right away as soon as it’s warm, and keep an eye on it so it doesn’t dry out. Stir the sauce around every few minutes as you heat it up again on the stove or in the microwave.
- To Freeze. For up to three months, freeze the chicken and peanut sauce separately in containers that won’t let air in. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
You can eat these chicken skewers over your favorite greens, with homemade fried rice, or with this Asian noodle salad if you have any leftovers. I don’t think you will, but hey.
How Long to Marinade Chicken
Chicken can be marinaded up to 1 day in advance. I don’t recommend marinating the chicken for longer than 24 hours, as the meat will begin to break down.
For more marinade tips, check out my all-purpose Chicken Marinade and Chicken Thigh Marinade.
- Chicken Breast. The chicken gets very tasty and tender between the marinade and the grill. It’s also easier to thread chicken breasts onto skewers than chicken thighs.
The Thai peanut dipping sauce might just be the best part of chicken satay!
- Peanut Butter. For flavor and texture, a tasty peanut sauce needs peanut butter that is thick and creamy.
- Honey. naturally adds just the right amount of sweetness to our peanut sauce to keep you coming back for more, like in my favorite Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken recipe. Honey also goes great with peanut butter in savory dishes like this one.
- Soy Sauce + Fish Sauce. Salty, umami flavor bombs.
- Sriracha. For a touch of heat. You can add more to make the chicken satay skewers even spicier.
- Ginger + Garlic. Two must-have ingredients that provide complex flavors.
- Lime Juice + Cilantro. Acidity and freshness. Could use shallot or red onion as well.
- Marinate the chicken, and soak the skewers.
- Prepare the peanut dipping sauce.
- Put the skewers on a grill and cook them over medium-high heat for two to three minutes on each side.
- Serve with toppings and peanut dipping sauce. ENJOY!
How to Make Jet Tila’s Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce | Ready Jet Cook | Food Network
FAQ
What do you have with Chicken Satay?
With a wedge of lime and some coriander, serve our Chicken Satay with our Plain Rice or on plain noodles for an easy dinner. A great addition to a Thai meal to sit alongside all those colourful curries, and a convenient dairy free meal option if you’ve got guests with dietary requirements.
What is satay usually served with?
Satay can be eaten with a spicy peanut sauce dip or peanut gravy, along with rice cake slices or lontong, and a sprinkle of bawang on top.
What is a way to serve satay?
You can serve satay hot off the grill, or enjoy it at room temperature. Satay sauce can be served hot or cold, though I find it’s best either warm or at room temperature.