Chicken Satay (Authentic and the Best Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

Recipe IndexJump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my privacy policy.

Delicious chicken satay or grilled chicken skewers marinated with spices and served with peanut sauce. Easy, authentic and the best chicken satay recipe you'll find online!

Chicken Satay (Authentic and the Best Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (1)

Chicken Satay (Authentic and the Best Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (2)

Table of Contents

Satay

Satay or chicken satay conjures up a mental picture of perfectly grilled and nicely charred chicken skewers with mouthwatering peanut sauce.

Chicken satay is one of the most popular Asian appetizers and everyone loves them.

Now, how to make chicken satay at home?

It’s very easy and I have an authentic and the best chicken satay recipe for you, including the recipe for satay sauce!

My chicken satay recipe has been tried and tested by many readers. They are absolutely mouthwatering and delightful. Enjoy!

Chicken Satay (Authentic and the Best Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (3)

Other Recipes You Might Like

  • Peanut Sauce
  • Beef Satay
  • Pork Satay
Chicken Satay (Authentic and the Best Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (4)

Malaysian Chicken Satay Is the Best!

There are many versions of satay recipes from Asia, but let me assure you that the best satay in the world comes from Malaysia, my home country.

Called “Satay Ayam” in Malaysian language, any real foodies who have been to the entire Southeast Asia region will agree they are the best!

While Thai chicken sate are tasty, they are inferior to the scrumptious and rich flavors of Malaysian chicken satay.

Chicken Satay (Authentic and the Best Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (5)

Chicken Satay Marinade

The marinade is the most important part of the recipe. The best satay are marinated with lots of spices and ingredients, such as the following:

  • Lemongrass
  • Garlic
  • Shallots
  • Turmeric powder
  • Coriander powder
  • Chili powder
  • Salt and sugar

Traditionally, home cooks pound all the ingredients above with a mortar and pestle until it becomes a fine paste.

Mix the meat (either chicken, beef or mutton) with the marinade overnight to ensure that that every skewer is s bursting with robust flavors.

Chicken Satay (Authentic and the Best Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (6)

Peanut Satay Sauce

This dipping sauce is a must for satay. To make the sauce, please check out my peanut sauce recipe.

Chicken Satay (Authentic and the Best Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (7)

Cooking Tips

For the best and most authentic flavors, please follow my secrets and techniques below:

  • You can use a combination of chicken breasts, chicken thighs and legs. Cut each piece of the chicken meat into uniform pieces.
  • Marinate the chicken overnight with the marinade for deeper flavors.
  • Soak the bamboo skewers in water for at least two hours. This will prevent the bamboo skewers from burning on the grill.
  • Use a pair of scissors to snip off the over charred and burned bits on the satay.
Chicken Satay (Authentic and the Best Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (8)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicken Satay Healthy?

Yes, satay is very healthy as the spices used in the marinade have a lot of nutrients and health benefits, for example: turmeric.

Can You Bake in the Oven?

You can certainly bake satay in the oven, or pan-fried on a skillet. They will taste delicious.

Can I Pan Fry on Skillet?

Yes, you can. For the best result, use a cast-iron grill pan to pan fry and cook on the stove top.

Can I Freeze Uncooked Chicken Satay?

Yes, you can. Just wrap uncooked and raw skewers with a few sheets of aluminum foil tightly and freeze in the freezer.

Thaw them at room temperature before grilling.

Chicken Satay (Authentic and the Best Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (9)

How Many Calories per Serving?

This recipe serves six people and the calories are 263 per serving.

What to Serve with Chicken Satay Skewers?

They are best served with Peanut sauce, sliced cucumber and cut onions. The cucumber and onion clean the palate between each skewer.

In Malaysia and Indonesia, rice cakes or ketupat are common. The rice cakes are cut into bite-sized cubes for serving.

If you are having an outdoor grilling or BBQ party, I recommend the following recipes.

Peanut Sauce

Shrimp Kebab

Asian BBQ Wings

Grilled Corn on the Cob

For more great recipes like this, sign up for our newsletter. We’ll send daily recipes you’ll love!

Join

Sign up for our newsletter!

Chicken Satay (The Best Recipe!)

Deliciouschicken satayor grilled chicken skewers marinated with spices and served with peanut sauce. Easy, authentic and the bestchicken satay recipeyou'll find online!

4.55 from 355 votes

Print

By Bee Yinn Low

Yield 6 people

Prep 50 minutes mins

Cook 10 minutes mins

Total 1 hour hr

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs (1kg) boneless and skinless chicken thigh and leg meat
  • Bamboo skewers (soaked in cold water for 2 hours)
  • 1 cucumber (cut into small pieces)
  • 1 small onion (quartered)
  • oil (for basting)

Chicken Satay Marinade:

  • 3 tablespoons oil
  • 2 stalks lemongrass (white parts only)
  • 2 cloves garlic (peeled)
  • 6 small shallots or pearl onions (peeled)
  • 2 teaspoons turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon salt or more to taste
  • 2 tablespoons sugar or honey

Instructions

  • Cut the chicken meat into small cubes. Set aside.

  • Blend all the he Marinade ingredients in a food processor. Add a little water if needed.

  • For the chicken satay dipping sauce, please click here: Recipe

  • Combine the chicken and the Marinade together, stir to mix well. Marinate the chicken for 6 hours in the fridge, or best overnight. When ready, thread 3-4 pieces of the chicken meat onto the bamboo skewers.

  • Grill the chicken satay skewers for 2-3 minutes on each side until the meat is fully cooked, and the surface is nicely charred, on both sides. Baste and brush with some oil while grilling. Serve hot with peanut sauce, the fresh cucumber pieces and onions.

    Chicken Satay (Authentic and the Best Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (14)

Video

Notes

Watch the cooking video on this page for step-by-step guide.

If you prefer white meat, you can use 2 lbs. or 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts for this recipe.

Click for Peanut Sauce recipe.

Course: Malaysian Recipes

Cuisine: Chicken

Keywords: Chicken Satay

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Chicken Satay (The Best Recipe!)

Amount Per Serving (6 people)

Calories 263Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Cholesterol 144mg48%

Sodium 727mg32%

Carbohydrates 13g4%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 31g62%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

Chicken Satay (Authentic and the Best Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between satay and Malaysian satay? ›

The Malaysian version is sweeter than the Indonesian version and the recipes seems to have more spices and heavier use of lemongrass and fresh turmeric. Our peanut satay sauce is thicker and richer than that in Thailand or Indonesia.

Is satay Malaysian traditional food? ›

Origin and history. Although both Thailand and Malaysia claim it as their own, its Southeast Asian origin was in Java, Indonesia. There satay was developed from the Indian kebab brought by the Muslim traders. Even India cannot claim its origin, for there it was a legacy of Middle Eastern influence.

What is the difference between Chinese and Thai satay? ›

The Chinese take out version of Chicken in Satay Sauce is quite different from Malaysian, Thai and Indonesian Satay Sauce. It's less coconut-y and less peanut-y (are they real words??), doesn't have bits of crushed peanuts in the sauce, and has a stronger flavour from satay seasoning.

Which country is famous for satay? ›

Sate (or more commonly known as Satay) is undoubtedly one of Indonesia's most famous dishes. It is also one of those dishes that most South East Asian countries claim as their own.

Why does satay taste so good? ›

The key ingredient is peanuts which together with kecap (soy sauce) gives it a salty and mildly spicy taste. Many different recipes for making peanut sauces exist, which means that all these satay sauces taste differently.

What is the most famous Malaysian dish? ›

1. Nasi Lemak. Nasi Lemak Nasi Lemak (literally, “rice and coconut”) is a popular Malaysian dish consisting of steamed rice and grated fresh coconut, served on banana leaves. The hearty dish is often served for breakfast or lunch.

What is Malaysia's national dish? ›

Although versions of nasi lemak can be found across South-East Asia, Malaysia claims this beloved street food classic as its own. It's clear why nasi lemak is Malaysia's (unofficial) national dish. Ask any Malaysian why they love nasi lemak (“rich rice”), and you'll instantly get a variety of responses.

What is the staple food in Malaysia? ›

Rice (Malay: nasi) is the most important staple food in Malaysia. According to Indonesian-born food and cookery writer Sri Owen, there is some evidence for rice cultivation found in the state of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo dated 2300 BC, and about 900 years of history for the state of Kelantan in West Malaysia.

Is satay served with peanut sauce or soy sauce? ›

Satays are commonly served with peanut sauce. However, satay does not actually mean peanut sauce – Southeast Asia's favourite street food snack is a dish of skewered, grilled meat with infinite variations.

Which is healthier, Chinese or Thai food? ›

Thai food is often healthier than Chinese food. Thai food puts a focus on balance and variety. They are often light and the aromas are just as important as the taste of the food. Thai food uses less heavy sauces and oils than Chinese food uses that are healthier for you, if any oil at all.

Does chicken satay taste like peanuts? ›

Satay is not spicy, but more on the salty, savory, tangy, sweet side with a rich peanut flavor. However, it does have a gentle kiss of heat thanks to the Asian chili sauce in the marinade.

Is chicken satay good for you? ›

Healthy and delicious: Grilled chicken satay is a delicious and healthy meal option that is high in protein and low in fat, making it a great choice for anyone looking to eat healthier.

What is the Chinese name for satay sauce? ›

沙爹 : satay (sauce)... : shā diē | Definition | Mandarin Chinese Pinyin English Dictionary | Yabla Chinese.

Is satay sauce Indian or Chinese? ›

Satay sauce, also known as Peanut Sauce, Bumbu Kacang or Sambal Kacang is an Indonesian sauce made from ground roasted or fried peanuts, widely used in cuisines worldwide.

What is the difference between Thai and Indonesian satay? ›

Satay came to Thailand from Indonesia, and originally it arrived as beef satay. But in Thailand, pork is the more common meat; so eventually pork satay became the most popular and basically the only kind of satay we eat.

Why is the difference between satay Padang and normal satay? ›

Sate Padang

You can see the difference of the three by looking at the sauce. Sate Padang has spicy flavor because the sauce is made from peanut sauce and chilies. Sate Padang Panjang tastes not too spicy and the sauce has yellow in color, while the sauce of Sate Padang Pariaman has spicier flavor and the color is red.

What is the difference between satay and sate? ›

Satay is the English spelling, and also the modern Malaysian spelling, though it's sate in Indonesia. It's thought the dish originated there, in Java, as a local take on the skewered kebab introduced by Muslim traders who came in search of spices.

What is Japanese satay called? ›

Yakitori is a dish of grilled, bite-sized pieces of chicken on bamboo skewers. The chicken is grilled with a soy-based glaze containing sugar and mirin cooking saké or with salt. It is similar to the lamb shish kebab of the Middle East, or the chicken (or goat) satay of Indonesia.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Fredrick Kertzmann

Last Updated:

Views: 6447

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fredrick Kertzmann

Birthday: 2000-04-29

Address: Apt. 203 613 Huels Gateway, Ralphtown, LA 40204

Phone: +2135150832870

Job: Regional Design Producer

Hobby: Nordic skating, Lacemaking, Mountain biking, Rowing, Gardening, Water sports, role-playing games

Introduction: My name is Fredrick Kertzmann, I am a gleaming, encouraging, inexpensive, thankful, tender, quaint, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.