I am very excited to share this recipe with you. It is my most requested dish, a family favorite, and it’s healthy too. It is without a doubt The Best Chicken Sate with Peanut Sauce ever!
As you’ll notice, the marinade and sauce use many of the same ingredients. For ease, I place the prep bowls side by side and prepare them in tandem. I measure brown sugar for each, put it away; soy sauce for each, put it away, etc. They end up like this (marinade on left, sauce on right).
This Chicken Sate with Peanut Sauce is definitely worthy of a special occasion, but with some advance prep work it can also be a nice weeknight dinner. The chicken is best when given ample time to marinate (overnight works well). I typically use chicken breast tenders and do not thread them on skewers to save myself the extra step. The result is a delicious Asian-inspired dish with a little spicy kick.
The Best Chicken Sate with Peanut Sauce
Yields 4 servings
1 pound boneless/skinless chicken tenders (or chicken breast cut into strips)
Sate/Marinade:
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
3-4 garlic cloves, grated or finely minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
1 tablepoon lime juice
Peanut Sauce:
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 garlic cloves, grated or finely minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
zest of 1 lime
2 tablespoons natural peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
skewers (optional)
cooking spray
Note: if using wooden skewers, soak for at least 30 minutes prior to grilling.
- Put chicken in a Ziploc bag.
- Prepare sate: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, red pepper flakes, ginger, and lime juice.
- Add sate to chicken in bag, making sure chicken is well coated. Place in refrigerator to marinate (4 hours up to 2 days; ideal time is around 10-15 hours)
- Prepare sauce: In a separate dish, mix together brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, red pepper flakes, lime zest and peanut butter. Stir until combined. Refrigerate until within 30 minutes of serving.
- Cooking: Preheat grill. Thread chicken on skewers, if using.
- Place chicken on grill coated with cooking spray (or foil tray). Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until chicken is done. Serve with sauce.
Adapted from Cooking Light
