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The Recipe · No.234 · Chicken Satay

Chicken Satay, and where to source it

Chicken Satay — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Chicken Satay Indonesian 5best2buy.com

Satay is about the marinade soaking in and the char on the grill, so give the chicken at least an hour in the turmeric and lemongrass. The peanut sauce should be thick enough to coat a spoon — thin it with coconut milk, not water.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep30 min
Cook15 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineIndonesian
Cost$$
Gluten-freeDairy-free
Contains  peanuts
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
Chicken thighs
Thigh meat stays juicy over the grill's high heat.
1.5 lb
Peanut butter
The base of the sauce; natural, unsweetened peanut butter gives the truest flavor.
1/2 cup
Kecap manis
Sweet soy in both the marinade and the sauce for depth and color.
3 tbsp
Sambal
A spoonful in the peanut sauce brings the heat.
1 tbsp
Lemongrass and turmeric
Fresh lemongrass and turmeric are the marinade's backbone.
2 stalks
Coconut milk
Loosens the peanut sauce to a pourable consistency.
1/2 cup

Using chicken thigh? It behaves the way it does for a reason — what this cut is for and how to cook it →

The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●● Squeaky clean
About as virtuous as dinner gets. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Air fryerGrillOne-pot
The Method
  1. MarinateBlend lemongrass, turmeric, garlic, and kecap manis; coat the chicken and chill at least 1 hour.
  2. SkewerThread onto soaked bamboo skewers, packing the meat tight.
  3. GrillGrill over high heat 3 to 4 minutes per side until charred at the edges and cooked through.
  4. Make the sauceSimmer peanut butter, kecap manis, sambal, and coconut milk until it coats a spoon.
The Toolkit

Grill · Bamboo skewers · Blender · Small saucepan · Tongs

Straight Answers
Can you make Chicken Satay in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.

Can you freeze Chicken Satay? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Chicken Satay ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Chicken Satay gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Chicken Satay vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

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