Chicken Satay Skewers

Chicken Satay Skewers is a dish that I grill during the cooler months and BBQ in the warmer months. This Thai recipe is easy to prepare a day in advance and leave to marinade in the fridge. One less job for the cook! Serve as a Main Dish, Side Dish and as a starter so very flexible. For a home cook, this dish is the perfect blend of simplicity and exotic flair—a way to impress friends and family without spending all afternoon in the kitchen.

The magic of chicken satay skewers really starts in the marinade. Coconut milk, curry powder, turmeric, brown sugar, fish sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, and soy sauce come together to create a symphony of flavours. Each ingredient plays a role: the coconut milk adds a silky richness, the curry powder and turmeric lend that warm, golden glow and earthy depth, while the brown sugar and fish sauce balance sweetness and umami in a way that’s utterly irresistible. Massaging the marinade into the chicken ensures every bite is infused with this intricate mix, and letting it rest in the fridge overnight allows the flavours to deepen and mingle, turning ordinary chicken thighs into something quite extraordinary.

Cooking the chicken satay skewers is almost theatrical. Wooden skewers, soaked to prevent burning, hold the marinated chicken as it’s brushed with a touch of groundnut oil and sprinkled lightly with salt and pepper. On a hot grill or barbecue, the chicken cooks to perfection in around fifteen minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the juices run clear, and the outside has that delicate golden-brown char that makes the aroma even more mouth watering. There’s something incredibly satisfying about turning the skewers regularly, watching the meat glisten and absorb the heat evenly. It’s hands-on, yet relaxing—a meditative moment in the midst of a busy week.

Serving Chicken Satay Skewers elevates any meal, whether it’s a casual family dinner or a summer barbecue with friends. While they’re delicious on their own, the true finishing touch is the sauce. Peanut sauce, with its creamy, nutty richness, perfectly complements the spiced chicken. The combination of textures and flavours—the tender, slightly smoky meat with the sweet, salty, and tangy peanut dip—creates a harmony that is both comforting and indulgent. Other dipping options like a simple soy-based sauce, a chilli-lime dressing, or even a light cucumber relish work wonderfully too, giving you room to tailor the dish to your mood or audience.

Another great thing about chicken satay is its versatility. Serve it over a bed of fragrant jasmine rice for a heartier meal, or alongside crisp salads and pickled vegetables for a lighter, more refreshing option. You can even turn it into a party platter, threading smaller pieces of chicken onto skewers and letting guests help themselves, paired with an assortment of sauces and sides. It’s casual, interactive, and endlessly satisfying.

For home cooks, chicken satay skewers is a lesson in balance—sweet and savoury, smoky and tender, bold and subtle. It’s a dish that encourages patience in marinating and care in cooking, yet rewards you with flavours that seem effortlessly complex. It’s the kind of recipe that makes people linger at the table, savoring every bite, and asking for seconds. In short, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly simple to pull off, and one that deserves a regular spot on your cooking rotation.

Chicken Satay Skewers are a celebration of flavour and texture, a dish that feels special yet approachable. They embody the joy of grilling, the thrill of spices, and the simple pleasure of dipping tender meat into a luscious sauce. Whether it’s midweek dinner or a weekend gathering, they’re the kind of food that brings people together—and leaves everyone smiling.

Chicken Satay Skewers

Chicken Satay Skewers are a deliciously spiced, tender grilled chicken dish that pairs perfectly with creamy peanut sauce. The marinade of coconut milk, curry, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and soy infuses the chicken with rich, layered flavours that develop beautifully when left to rest. Chicken Satay Skewers are quick to cook yet full of exotic taste, they make a perfect meal for family dinners, casual gatherings, or summer barbecues.

4.80 from 190 votes

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Course: Main Dish, Marinade, Side Dish

Cuisine: Far East, Thai

Keyword: Chicken, Chicken Satay Skewers, Chili, Coconut Milk, Marinade, Satay Sauce, Spice

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Marinade: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 People

Calories: 387kcal

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Ingredients

 

• ▢ 2 lbs chicken thighs boneless/skinless
• ▢ 1/4 cup coconut milk
• ▢ 2 1/2 tsp curry powder See Note
• ▢ 1 1/2 tsp turmeric
• ▢ 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ▢ 1 tbsp fish sauce
• ▢ 1 tbsp ginger freshly grated
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 2 tbsp soy sauce
• ▢ 1 tbsp groundnut oil to brush over chicken
• ▢ Salt to taste
• ▢ ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

• In a large glass bowl preferably, add the coconut milk, curry powder, turmeric, brown sugar, fish sauce, ginger, garlic and soy sauce and mix thoroughly.
  1/4 cup coconut milk, 2 1/2 tsp curry powder, 1 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp ginger, 3 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp soy sauce
• Season the chicken with salt and pepper and massage the marinade into the chicken. Ensure all of it is covered.
  2 lbs chicken thighs, Salt, ground black pepper
• Cover the bowl with cling film and place in the fridge for at least 2 hours. I prepare mine the night before, so the marinade has a lot longer time to do its thing.
• If cooking on the bbq don’t forget it takes time for the coals to heat up fully.
• When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.
• Turn the grill on to a medium high heat.
• Using wooden skewers, soak in water first so they don’t burn in the heat.
• Brush lightly with neutral flavoured oil such as groundnut or canola oil.
  1 tbsp groundnut oil
• Give a light sprinkle of salt and pepper and place on the grill/bbq turning regularly for up to 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. The juices should run clear.
• Serve the chicken satay skewers with dips but especially peanut sauce

Notes

I use a pale curry powder such as yellow or pale red as this does affect the final colour of the chicken satay skewers.

Nutrition

Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 689mg | Potassium: 378mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 118IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 2mg