This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Thai Chicken Satay just got a creamy, dreamy upgrade. Think thick peanut sauce, bold flavor, and a secret ingredient that ties it all together—no long shopping lists or fuss required. Low-carb, keto-friendly, and made with juicy bone-in chicken thighs, this dish feels like comfort food with a twist.
The best part? One ingredient replaces over 10, so you’ll never stress over what to grab at the store. Quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying—this is your new favorite way to do chicken satay.
Why You’ll Love This Thai Chicken Satay
Let’s be real—this may not be the traditional Thai street food, but one bite and you’ll be hooked. It’s rich, creamy, full of flavor, and tastes just like your favorite takeout (without the wait or the skewers).
Whether you’re short on time or just craving something easy and wildly delicious, this recipe is for you.
Your Thai Satay Starter Pack
- Chicken: Use bone-in or boneless chicken thighs- they’re the best cut for this recipe.
- Coconut milk: For the peanut sauce and the marinade. Use full fat coconut milk- the low fat version just won’t have that richness and creaminess you’re looking for.
- Peanut butter: All natural creamy peanut butter is the best choice! You’ll need this, again, for the marinade and the sauce.
- Thai red curry paste: This one’s my secret ingredient- it packs in all those delicious Thai flavors without you needing to get all those individual ingredients from a specialty store.
- Soy sauce: For the umami deliciousness. I love using Kecap Manis sweet soy sauce.
- Fish sauce: Just a dash, for some extra flavor.
- Brown sugar: To balance the other flavors with a bit of sweetness. Use palm sugar or jaggery instead if you have those at hand.
- Veggies: You’ll need fresh garlic, limes, and some red chilies.
- Tamarind: To lend a bit of tangy, sour flavor.
- Peanut oil: I used peanut oil to fry the chicken, just for that bit of additional flavor. You can make do with regular cooking oil too, if you don’t have peanut oil.
Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for list of full ingredients and measurements
Let’s Make It Together
Because some nights, we just want something amazing without the extra steps. This is that kind of magic.
- Pre-Heat: To make the Thai chicken satay, start by preheating your oven to 400°F
- Marinade: In a large, shallow bowl, combine peanut butter, coconut milk, curry paste, brown sugar, salt, soy sauce and the fish sauce.
- Sear chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear it on both sides until browned.
- Bake until cooked: Transfer the chicken to a prepared baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked.
- Peanut Sauce: While the chicken is in the oven, combine ingredients (except the lime juice) for the peanut sauce in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Then, turn down the heat, let it thicken slightly. Take it off the heat and stir in lime juice.
- Assemble and serve: Arrange the chicken on a serving plate and pour the peanut sauce over it. Garnish with chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and red chilies.
Enjoy this creamy Thai chicken satay with some steamed Jasmine rice or Chow Mein to make it a wholesome and filling meal. If you’re looking for a low-carb option, try my Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice or classic Cauliflower Fried Rice. And if you’re a salad person, you can whip up some Teriyaki Glazed Chicken Salad minus the chicken, and serve it with the chicken satay.
Asian chicken recipes have become my go-to on weeknights, mostly because I find myself craving Asian takeout more often than I’d like. My Honey Chicken Stir Fry and Roasted Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs have both been absolute hits
Recipe FAQ’s
You absolutely can! Just make sure you preheat the Air Fryer and grease the basket before you add the chicken in. It should take just about 10 minutes (at 350 degrees) for the chicken to be completely cooked.
Store your leftover chicken satay in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and reheat in a pan or the microwave. You may need to top it with some more of that peanut sauce too!
You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken (it should be 165 degrees or more), or just slice through a piece to check if the juices run clear, and the chicken is no longer pink.
You might also like
Get a free eBook!
Subscribe to Cafe Delites FOR FREE and receive recipes straight into your inbox!
Easy Thai Satay Chicken
Ingredients
For The Chicken Marinade:
- 4 tablespoons coconut milk
- 1 1/2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/4 tablespoon light brown sugar packed, omit for keto
- 1 1/4 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon Kecap Manis sweet soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 pinch salt
- 4 skinless chicken thighs bone-in or out
- 2 teaspoons peanut oil for frying
For the Peanut Sauce:
- 1 1/3 cup coconut milk all remaining milk from the tin
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter all natural preferable
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon sweet soy sauce Kecap Manis
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar packed, omit for keto
- 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
- 1/2 tablespoon Tamarind puree optional
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1-2 tablespoons lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1 handful cilantro to garnish
- 3 lime wedges to garnish
- 1 red chillies sliced to garnish
Instructions
- For the chicken marinade, mix together the coconut milk, peanut butter, brown sugar, curry paste, sauces and salt in a large, shallow bowl until well combined and creamy. Add in the chicken, turning to coat completely with the marinade. Allow to marinade for at least 10 minutes to half an hour in the refrigerator (if time allows).
- Preheat oven to 400°F | 200°C.
- Heat oil in an oven-proof pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until browned on each side and fragrant (about 8-10 minutes each side). Transfer to the oven and continue cooking for a further 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (juices run clear and no longer pink inside).
- While the chicken is in the oven, combine all Peanut Sauce ingredients into a saucepan EXCEPT for the lime juice. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and allow to simmer until combined and thickened (about 5-6 minutes). Once thick, take off heat and stir in the lime juice (start with 1 tablespoon and adjust accordingly to suit your tastes).
- Serve the chicken with the peanut sauce: either pour it all into the pan with the chicken OR serve separately.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves, lime wedges and red chillies.
Notes
- Boneless chicken breasts can be replaced. Adjust cook times accordingly.
- Replace Fish Sauce with Soy Sauce
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
May I ask what brand Thai Paste you use? Thanks!
Sooooo good!! I added a splash of sriracha to it and OMG AMAZING!!! ??
oh good haha, that’s exactly what I’ve just done : D
your recipes never disappoint… and this was no exception. delicious!!! i’m curious what peanut butter you use. i had skippy on hand and it’s a bit salty. i realize now i forgot to add the lime juice, so maybe that helps? i’m thinking it’s just a salty peanut butter. still lick the plate good, but i know my feet are going to swell up like little pork chops. if you have suggestions of a good one to use, i’d love to hear it. thanks!
I made this tonight, using rabbit instead of chicken, as I raise meat rabbits. A girl is staying here, recently arrived from Thailand. She said it is the best Satay she has ever had! Better than what she has had in her country!!! Very high compliment , and it was easy to make! Oh, I also used crunch peanut butter. The extra texture was very good in it. Over all, GREAT recipe!
My husband is allergic to coconut- what else can I use? Evaporated milk? Thanks!
Happened on the recipe while looking for the satay you skewer and such. What a gift!! Doubled the recipe, served with coconut rice and green beans. Could DRINK the sauce. Will definitely make again. All three of my middle school boys kept hugging me telling me it was so good!
I can’t wait to make this BUT one piece of chicken thigh per person won’t work in my house. My son has eat 4. I’ll have to triple the recipe. What is a good side dish??? I’ve nevrt made Thai food.
Rice is always a great go-to or noodles. Totally understand boys eating a little more! Enjoy! Hope you all love it! Let me know how it turns out! XO
I recently discovered zucchini noodles. I sautéed them in olive oil and a little sesame oil, then added a splash of soy sauce part way through. DIVINE. Amazing side dish, and low carb!!
The taste is amazing. Will definitely be adding to my favourite meals to make. So easy and quick. I made it with chicken strips and udon noodles….YUM! The whole family loved it!
Really loved this. I see you can freeze the sauce. Can I freeze the cooked chicken too and serve the whole dish at a later time.I’m looking for meals to freeze for our son. Any other suggestions appreciated.
Yes, that is a great idea! Most my meals can be frozen for a later time especially the casseroles and meats. Thanks so much for following along with me! XO
Holy Moly! I made this last night, but had to zip out to a meeting before it was finished. Well my husband texted “Wow!! This is fantastic!” “It’s a keeper!” “Sorry babe I ate it all!!!” LOL. This was easy to make, and it smelled heavenly. Next time, I’ll double the recipe!
Holy moly… I’ve always loathed satays, but this is utterly amazing!!! It’s so fresh and light and a very welcome change from the claggy, cloying, gross satays that have been my experience to date.
I only tried this because my husband enjoys satays, so I thought I’d give this one a try
So glad I did. This is a total game-changer and one of my new favourite dishes. Absolutely worth 5 stars!
Might be a silly question, but is the Thai red curry paste very spicy? My husband can’t handle spicy food so I want to make sure before I try it .
It has a little spice in it but curry is an unusual taste and sometimes an acquired taste. It is very delicious and in most Asian meals. Hope that helps!