Grilled Chicken Skewers That’ll Have Them Begging for More

Have you ever wondered how to make those delectable chicken satay skewers you’ve been drooling over at your favorite Thai restaurant? Well, wonder no more! Today, I’m going to let you in on the secrets to creating the most crowd-pleasing, finger-licking good chicken satay at home.

Let me set the scene for you. It’s a warm summer evening, and you’ve invited all your friends over for a backyard barbecue. The grill is fired up, the tunes are playing, and the smell of sizzling chicken and rich peanut sauce wafts through the air. As you start to bring out the skewers, your guests’ eyes light up with anticipation. They can hardly wait to sink their teeth into these flavor-packed chicken bites.

One by one, they reach for a skewer, dip it into the creamy peanut sauce, and take that first glorious bite. Suddenly, the backyard erupts in a chorus of “Mmms” and “Ahhs.” Your friend Jen even does a little happy dance as the taste buds on her tongue do a celebration of their own. And you, my friend, bask in the glory of having pulled off the most delicious chicken satay skewers ever.

Marinating for Maximum Flavor

The key to truly outstanding chicken satay starts with the marinade. Now, I know what you’re thinking – how hard can marinating chicken be? But trust me, there’s an art to it.

I start by pounding the chicken breasts to an even 1/2-inch thickness. This not only tenderizes the meat but also ensures even cooking. Then, I whisk together a flavor-packed marinade of low-sodium soy sauce, fish sauce, fresh lime juice, honey, sriracha, ground ginger, and garlic.

The folks over at Well Plated recommend marinating the chicken for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours. This allows the flavors to really permeate the meat, resulting in a juicy, incredibly flavorful final product.

Grilling to Perfection

Once the chicken has had its time to soak up all those delicious marinade flavors, it’s time to fire up the grill. I like to use a sturdy metal or bamboo skewer to thread the marinated chicken onto, but you can also use wooden skewers that have been soaked in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.

Donal Skehan’s video on Facebook demonstrates the perfect grilling technique. I start by lightly oiling the grill grates to prevent sticking, then I grill the chicken skewers for about 5 minutes per side over high heat, or until they’re cooked through and have those coveted char marks.

The Pièce de Résistance: Peanut Sauce

Now, let’s talk about the real star of the show – the peanut sauce. This creamy, flavor-packed dipping sauce is what truly sets chicken satay apart from other grilled chicken dishes.

As Erin from Well Plated puts it, the peanut sauce is “sweet, spicy, nutty, and absolutely delicious.” I start by simmering coconut milk, peanut butter, honey, soy sauce, and Thai red curry paste until the flavors meld together into a rich, velvety sauce.

Just before serving, I finish it off with a squeeze of fresh lime juice, which adds a bright, tangy note to balance out the richness. Trust me, your guests will be scraping the bowl clean and asking for seconds (or thirds) of this addictive sauce.

Bringing it All Together

Now that you’ve got the perfect marinated chicken and the irresistible peanut sauce, it’s time to put it all together. Arrange the grilled chicken satay skewers on a platter, and place the peanut sauce in a serving bowl alongside.

Encourage your guests to get hands-on and dip the chicken into the sauce, savoring every bite. You can also serve it alongside a fresh, crunchy salad or some fragrant coconut-lime rice to round out the meal.

Home Cooking Rocks is the perfect place to find all the recipes and inspiration you need to create this crowd-pleasing chicken satay dish. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, a casual dinner party, or just looking for a delicious weeknight meal, these chicken satay skewers are sure to be a hit.

So fire up that grill, whip up a batch of peanut sauce, and get ready to bask in the glory of being the master of chicken satay. Your friends and family will be begging you to make it again and again.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

Although the classic chicken satay is hard to beat, you can certainly get creative with the protein. Once Upon a Chef suggests that beef or pork would also be delicious in this recipe. Simply substitute the protein and adjust the marinade as needed.

If you don’t have access to a grill, don’t worry. The folks at Well Plated have you covered with oven-baked instructions. You can also use an indoor grill pan or even a panini press to get that irresistible char on the chicken.

And the best part? Leftover chicken satay skewers are equally delicious. Enjoy them over a bed of greens, tossed into a colorful noodle salad, or simply on their own as a quick and easy lunch or snack.

So what are you waiting for? Grab those skewers and get grilling! Your taste buds (and your guests) are about to be blown away.