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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Satay Chicken Bowls with Peanut Sauce

    Satay Chicken Bowls with Peanut Sauce

    Published on Apr 26, 2021 · Last updated on Aug 24, 2021 ·

    Jump to Recipe

    These Asian-inspired Statay Chicken Bowls come together quickly and feature succulent marinated chicken skewers, an Asian cucumber salad, and that addictive peanut sauce we all go nuts for!  An easy and healthy midweek meal that is also great for meal prep! 

    overhead shot of satay chicken skewers served with a side of peanut sauce and thai cucumber salad

    Our favorite appetizer at the Thai restaurant turned bowl! YES, I did it again! Another chicken bowl recipe and may I just say, this one is FIRE! Not in terms of spice, mind you, this one is not too hot! Let's talk about what's in these Satay Chicken Bowls.

    This easy peasy Thai chicken bowl recipe comes features pan-fried skewers of succulent marinated chicken served on a base of fluffy white rice, with a quick cucumber salad for that refreshing element and an easy-to-make satay sauce.

    Satay sauce, just in case you don't know it, is that addictive peanut sauce you always find yourself short of at your favorite  Thai spot. It is usually served with meat skewers, sometimes with summer rolls. Make lots because this stuff is gold!

    Satay Thai Chicken Skewers served with healthy satay sauce and a side of cucumber salad

    Is Satay Sauce unhealthy?

    It depends! The one you order at the restaurant probably has some refined sugar and oil in it. This satay sauce recipe is way healthier, though, mind you, not low in calories. In our little hearts, we allknow peanut butter is not exactly low cal... We stretch that pb with some coconut milk and lime juice  to give it the perfect texture and sweeten it with honey! My favorite Asian aromatics aka ginger and chili go in to seal the deal! Savory, salty, acidic, a bit sweet and a touch spicy. Hits all the right spots.

    two juicy marinated Thai style chicken skewers served on a bed of rice with a side of peanut sauce

    You can pan-fry these skewers!

    On to the chicken! We marinate some cut-up chicken thighs in a flavorful mix of red curry paste, curry powder, coconut sugar and coconut milk! SOOOO delicious! 30 minutes marinating time is the minimum, people! I'd give the meat at least 2-3 hours.

    No need to turn on the oven or heat the bbq - these babies are made in the skillet!

    homemade chicken skewer being dipped into satay peanut sauce

    How to make Satay Thai Chicken Bowls:

    picture collage demonstrating how to marinate chicken thighs to make satay skewers

    Step 1 - To make the satay sauce: Whisk together peanut butter, lime juice, ginger, honey, sambal oelek, salt and 2-3 tablespoons milk in a small bowl or in your food processor. Set aside.

    Step 2 - Mix salt, red curry paste, curry powder, coconut sugar, and coconut milk in a large bowl.

    Step 3 - Cut chicken into chunks for shish kebabs (about 1 / 1.5 inches). Add it to the marinade bowl and toss well to cover each piece of chicken with marinade.

    picture collage demonstrating how to pan-fry marinated chicken skewers for Satay Chicken Bowls

    Step 4 - Marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes and ideally 3 hours. Thread chicken pieces on the bamboo skewers (I usually do 3-4 per skewer).

    Step 5 & 6 - Heat oil in a large skillet on medium high-heat. When oil is almost shimmering, add the skewers and cook for about 3 minutes on each side. I recommend using kitchen thongs to flip the skewers. If your skillet is too small to cook all the skewers in one go, wipe the skillet with paper towel before cooking the second batch to avoid burning the residues.

    a hand holding a Thai chicken skewers that was dipped in peanut sauce

    To serve, add some rice and Asian cucumber salad to each plate. Divide peanut sauce into 4 small containers and place in each plate/bowl. Add skewers on top of the rice. Serve with crushed peanuts, sliced chilies, lime wedges and cilantro.

    What to serve these bowls with :

    As toppings, I would go with crushed peanuts, sliced red chilies, fresh cilantro and limes wedges. I also like to whip up a quick Asian cucumber salad to serve with these bowls. Cucumbers and peanuts love each other and the crunchy salads adds a refreshing element to this bowl.

    Here's how I make my Thai Cucumber Salad

    • 1 seedless cucumber, halved and thinly sliced
    • ¼ cup rice vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
    • 1 teaspoon chili paste (like sambal oelek)

    Instructions

    1. In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, soy, sugar, sesame oil and chili paste.
    2. Add cucumbers to bowl and toss well. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes or longer before serving.

    Tips:

    • Use chicken thighs if you can. They stay juicier and are not as prone to overcooking!
    • I recommend using kitchen thongs to flip the skewers. If your skillet is too small to cook all the skewers in one go, wipe the skillet with paper towel before cooking the second batch to avoid burning the residues.
    • You can also cook these on the grill. If you do, soak the bamboo skewers for 3 hours before using, to make sure they don’t burn.

     

    satay chicken bowl with peanut sauce
    5 from 4 votes
    Print

    Satay Chicken Bowls with Peanut Sauce

    These Asian-inspired Statay Chicken Bowls come together quickly and feature succulent marinated chicken skewers, an Asian cucumber salad, and that addictive peanut sauce we all go nuts for!  An easy and healthy midweek meal that is also great for meal prep! 

    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Asian, Thai
    Keyword healthy Asian chicken bowl, Satay sauce healthy, Thai chicken bowl
    Prep Time 20 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Marinating 30 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 310 kcal

    Ingredients

    For the Peanut Sauce

    • 2 tsp ginger ideally grated or finely minced
    • 2-3 tbsp coconut milk
    • ⅛ tsp salt
    • 1 tsp sambal oelek or your favorite chilli paste - omit or use less if you don’t like spicy food
    • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
    • 2 tbsp lime juice
    • ¼ cup smooth peanut butter it’s best to use natural peanut butter, with 100% peanuts

    For the chicken

    • 1 tsp salt
    • 2 tsp red curry paste
    • ¼ cup full fat coconut milk
    • 1 tbsp curry powder
    • 1 tsp coconut sugar or brown sugar
    • 1 lb skinless, boneless chicken thighs 500 g - (breasts work too but thighs are juicier)
    • 2 tsp neutral tasting oil I used avocado oil - you can also use canola oil

    For the bowl

    • Cooked Jasmine rice
    • Asian cucumber salad see the recipe below

    Optional toppings:

    • Crushed peanuts
    • Small red chillies
    • Cilantro
    • Limes wedges

    Instructions

    Peanut sauce

    1. Whisk together peanut butter, lime juice, ginger, honey, sambal oelek, salt and 2-3 tablespoons milk in a small bowl or in your food processor. Set aside.

    Chicken

    1. Mix salt, red curry paste, curry powder, coconut sugar and coconut milk in a large bowl.
    2. Cut chicken into chunks for shish kebabs (about 1 / 1.5 inches). Add it to the marinade bowl and toss well to cover each piece of chicken with marinade.
    3. Marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes and ideally 3 hours.
    4. Thread chicken pieces on the bamboo skewers (I usually do 3-4 per skewer).
    5. Heat oil in a large skillet on medium high-heat. When oil is almost shimmering, add the skewers and cook for about 3 minutes on each side. I recommend using kitchen thongs to flip the skewers. If your skillet is too small to cook all the skewers in one go, wipe the skillet with paper towel before cooking the second batch to avoid burning the residues.

    Serve

    1. To serve, add some rice and asian cucumber salad to each plate. Divide peanut sauce into 4 small containers and place in each plate/bowl. Add skewers on top of the rice. Serve with crushed peanuts, sliced chilies, lime wedges and cilantro.

    Recipe Notes

    • Nutritional facts do not include toppings, cucumber salad, or rice.
    • You can also cook these on the grill. If you do, soak the bamboo skewers for 3 hours before using, to make sure they don’t burn.

    Quick Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe

    Ingredients

    1 seedless cucumber, halved and thinly sliced

    ¼ cup rice vinegar

    1 teaspoon sugar

    1 teaspoon sesame oil

    1 teaspoon chili paste (like sambal oelek)

    Instructions

    In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, soy, sugar, sesame oil and chili paste.
    Add cucumbers to bowl and toss well. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes or longer before serving.

    Nutrition Facts
    Satay Chicken Bowls with Peanut Sauce
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 310 Calories from Fat 153
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 17g26%
    Saturated Fat 6g38%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Cholesterol 108mg36%
    Sodium 848mg37%
    Potassium 478mg14%
    Carbohydrates 14g5%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 7g8%
    Protein 27g54%
    Vitamin A 443IU9%
    Vitamin C 3mg4%
    Calcium 33mg3%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    If you tried these satay chicken bowls, don’t forget to rate the recipe below and let me know how it went in the comments – I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook for more deliciousness and behind-the-scenes!

    More healthy meal prep chicken dinners you will love:

    • Sheet Pan Za’atar Chicken Dinner
    • One Pan BBQ Chicken Dinner
    • Easy Baked Chicken Thighs
    • Sheet Pan Mustard Chicken Thighs
    • Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas 

     

    « Greek Lemon Soup with Chicken and Orzo
    Easy Thai Red Curry Recipe with Chicken - Simple & Authentic »
     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle

      April 26, 2021 at 5:38 pm

      Love chicken satay and peanut sauce, can't wait to give this a try! Yum!

      • Marie

        April 28, 2021 at 9:05 am

        Thanks Michelle, hope you love it!

    2. Angela

      April 26, 2021 at 6:24 pm

      My mouth was watering as I was reading the recipe. I made it for my family and they loved it. The peanut dipping sauce is amazing.

      • Marie

        April 28, 2021 at 9:04 am

        So happy to read you all loved it! That peanut sauce is so good it's dangerous haha

    3. Toni

      April 26, 2021 at 6:50 pm

      This quickly became a favorite meal at my house!

      • Marie

        April 28, 2021 at 9:11 am

        Yay super happy to read that!

    4. Shinta

      April 26, 2021 at 11:47 pm

      One meal I could eat on repeat is chicken satay! These bowls are such a treat. We loved them and will be making them again

      • Marie

        April 28, 2021 at 9:03 am

        Same here! Thanks so much Shinta

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