Deliciously Easy Satay Chicken Recipe: A Mouthwatering Thai Delight

Satay chicken is a popular Thai dish that combines tender, grilled chicken with a rich and flavorful peanut sauce. This mouthwatering delight is loved by people all over the world for its delicious taste and simplicity in preparation. The combination of succulent chicken and the creamy, nutty sauce creates a perfect balance of flavors that will leave you craving for more. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or just looking for a quick and easy meal, this satay chicken recipe is sure to impress your taste buds. So let's dive in and discover how to make this delectable Thai delight!

Ingredients for Satay Chicken

To make this mouthwatering Thai delight, you will need the following ingredients:

1. Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts for the best results. Approximately 500 grams of chicken should be enough to serve 4 people.

2. Satay Marinade:

• Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Fish sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Brown sugar: 1 tablespoon
• Curry powder: 1 teaspoon
• Turmeric powder: 1/2 teaspoon
• Garlic cloves (minced): 2
• Lemongrass stalk (white part only, finely chopped): 1
• Vegetable oil: 2 tablespoons

3. Satay Sauce:

• Peanut butter: 1/2 cup
• Coconut milk: 1/4 cup
• Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Lime juice: 1 tablespoon
• Brown sugar: 1 tablespoon
• Red curry paste: 1 teaspoon (adjust according to your spice preference)

4. Skewers:

• Bamboo skewers (soaked in water for at least 30 minutes)

5. Garnish (optional):

• Chopped peanuts
• Fresh cilantro leaves

Make sure to gather all these ingredients before starting the preparation process for a hassle-free cooking experience.

Marinating the Chicken

Marinating is a crucial step in preparing delicious satay chicken. It infuses the meat with flavors and tenderizes it, resulting in juicy and flavorful bites. To marinate the chicken, you will need the following ingredients:

- 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce

- 2 tablespoons of fish sauce

- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar

- 1 tablespoon of lime juice

- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

- 2 cloves of garlic, minced

Start by cutting the chicken into thin strips or bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, vegetable oil, and minced garlic. Mix well until the sugar has dissolved.

Place the chicken pieces into a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated evenly. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate.

For maximum flavor infusion, you can marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator. However, avoid marinating for more than 24 hours as it can result in overly tenderized meat.

Remember to occasionally flip or toss the chicken during marination to ensure even distribution of flavors. This step is essential for achieving a well-balanced taste throughout every bite.

Once marinated to perfection, you are ready to move on to preparing the satay sauce that will complement your succulent satay chicken!

Preparing the Satay Sauce

The satay sauce is the star of this dish, adding a burst of flavor to the grilled chicken. To make the sauce, you will need the following ingredients:

- 1 cup of peanut butter

- 1/4 cup of soy sauce

- 2 tablespoons of honey

- 2 tablespoons of lime juice

- 1 tablespoon of curry powder

- 1 clove of garlic, minced

- 1/4 cup of water

In a small saucepan, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, curry powder, and minced garlic. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.

Place the saucepan over medium heat and gradually add water while stirring continuously. This will help to thin out the sauce and create a smooth consistency.

Continue to cook the sauce for about 5 minutes or until it thickens slightly. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.

Once the satay sauce has reached your desired consistency, remove it from heat and let it cool for a few minutes. The flavors will continue to develop as it cools down.

You can adjust the taste by adding more soy sauce for saltiness or honey for sweetness. Feel free to experiment with different spices or chili flakes if you prefer a spicier kick.

Remember that satay sauce can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Just reheat it gently before serving.

The rich and creamy satay sauce perfectly complements the smoky grilled chicken, creating a mouthwatering combination that will leave your taste buds craving for more.

Skewering and Grilling the Chicken

Skewering and grilling the chicken is the final step in creating this mouthwatering Thai delight. Once the chicken has been marinated for at least 2 hours, it's time to prepare the skewers. Soak wooden skewers in water for about 30 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill.

Next, thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers, making sure to leave some space between each piece. This will ensure even cooking and allow the flavors to penetrate every bite.

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking. Place the skewered chicken on the grill and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through and have a nice charred exterior.

While grilling, baste the chicken with any remaining marinade for extra flavor and moisture. Be careful not to overcook the chicken as it may become dry.

Once done, remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in tender and juicy satay chicken.

Skewering and grilling adds a smoky flavor and beautiful grill marks that enhance both taste and presentation. The combination of tender grilled chicken with aromatic spices makes this dish truly irresistible.

Now that you've mastered skewering and grilling satay chicken, it's time to move on to serving and enjoying this delicious Thai delight!

Serving and Enjoying Satay Chicken

This recipe for satay chicken brings the vibrant flavors of Thailand to your kitchen. With tender marinated chicken, a creamy peanut sauce, and fragrant side dishes, this dish is sure to impress. Follow these steps to create a memorable culinary experience.

Ingredients

(See recipe for specific quantities)

• Chicken (boneless, skinless thighs or breasts)
• Soy sauce
• Fish sauce
• Turmeric powder
• Cumin powder
• Coriander powder
• Brown sugar
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Lemongrass
• Coconut milk
• Peanut butter
• Lime juice
• Bamboo skewers
• Fresh cilantro
• Crushed peanuts
• Jasmine rice or coconut rice
• Cucumber slices or pickled vegetables (optional)

Feature	This Recipe	Other Recipes
Prep Time	15 minutes	15-30 minutes
Cook Time	10 minutes	8-12 minutes
Total Time	25 minutes	23-42 minutes
Difficulty	Easy	Easy to Medium

>Instructions

Marinade:

1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, fish sauce, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and finely chopped lemongrass.
2. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and coat them thoroughly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.

Satay Sauce:

1. In a saucepan, combine coconut milk, peanut butter, lime juice, and a tablespoon of the marinade. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.
2. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Set aside.

Grilling:

1. Soak bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill.
2. Thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers.
3. Preheat grill to medium heat. Grill the skewers for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Baste with the satay sauce during the last few minutes of grilling.

Serving

Serve the satay chicken hot off the grill, garnished with fresh cilantro leaves and a sprinkle of crushed peanuts. Accompany with fragrant jasmine rice or steamed coconut rice, and offer a side of spicy peanut sauce or sweet chili sauce for dipping.

>Tips

• For best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Use high-quality peanut butter for the satay sauce.
• Soak bamboo skewers in water before grilling to prevent burning.
• Grill chicken over medium heat to ensure even cooking.
• Baste the chicken with satay sauce while grilling for extra flavor.

Conclusion

Satay chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that brings the exotic flavors of Thailand to your table. With its aromatic marinade, creamy peanut sauce, and customizable sides, it's a crowd-pleasing meal perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the taste of Thailand in the comfort of your own home!