Peanut Butter Sriracha Chicken Satay is a delicious fusion of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors that are sure to impress your guests. The chicken is marinated in a tangy and creamy sauce made with peanut butter, hoisin, sriracha, and soy sauce, making for a flavor-packed dish. It can be served as a quick and easy dinner or as a party appetizer, with the sauce also acting as a perfect dipping sauce. Whether you serve it with rice or on skewers, this dish is bound to be a hit!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts

For the Sauce:

• 3 cloves minced garlic

• 2 tbsp peanut oil (or canola oil)

• ½ cup peanut butter

• 2 tbsp Sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)

• ¼ cup hoisin sauce

• ¼ cup water

• 4 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium preferred)

• 2 tsp toasted sesame oil

• 4 tbsp rice vinegar

• 2 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger root

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

• ¼ cup roasted peanuts for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into long strips, about ¼ inch wide. Weave the chicken strips onto skewers and refrigerate until ready to cook.

2. Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan, heat the peanut oil over medium-low heat and sauté the garlic for 1 minute, being careful not to brown it. Add the peanut butter, sriracha, hoisin sauce, water, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens. If it gets too thick, add a little more water to adjust the consistency. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice.

3. Coat the Chicken: Brush half of the sauce onto the prepared chicken skewers. Set the remaining sauce aside to use as a dipping sauce.

4. Grill the Chicken: Preheat the grill and cook the chicken skewers for 3 minutes per side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and golden brown.

5. Serve: Garnish the chicken satay with roasted peanuts if desired. Serve immediately with the reserved sauce as a dip.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 212 kcal

• Fat: 13 g

• Saturated Fat: 2 g

• Carbohydrates: 9 g

• Fiber: 1 g

• Sugar: 5 g

• Protein: 16 g

• Sodium: 543 mg

Why Peanut Butter and Sriracha Work So Well Together

The combination of peanut butter and sriracha might sound unexpected, but it works beautifully. Peanut butter adds a creamy, rich base that perfectly balances the spicy heat from the sriracha. Sriracha, with its tangy and spicy kick, cuts through the sweetness of the peanut butter, creating a harmonious contrast that excites the taste buds. The addition of hoisin sauce gives the sauce a depth of sweetness and umami, while soy sauce adds the necessary saltiness to round out the flavors.

The toasted sesame oil in the sauce contributes a nutty aroma and a deep, savory element, making the sauce even more complex. Rice vinegar and brown sugar offer the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, and freshly grated ginger adds a zingy, aromatic freshness. The combination of all these ingredients makes for a sauce that is bold, flavorful, and irresistible. When drizzled over grilled chicken or served as a dipping sauce, it creates a flavorful experience that is both comforting and exciting.

Preparing the Chicken for Satay

The first step in preparing Peanut Butter Sriracha Chicken Satay is to slice the chicken breasts into long strips, about ¼ inch wide. These strips are perfect for grilling, as they cook quickly and allow the marinade to infuse the chicken more evenly. Once the chicken is sliced, weave the strips onto skewers. Using skewers helps to hold the chicken in place while grilling and makes it easier to flip the chicken without worrying about the strips falling apart.

After preparing the skewers, refrigerate them until you’re ready to cook. This step helps the chicken absorb the marinade more effectively, ensuring that each bite is packed with flavor. The marinated chicken strips on skewers are not only easy to cook but also visually appealing when presented to your guests.

Making the Flavor-Packed Sauce

The sauce is what elevates this dish from simple grilled chicken to something extraordinary. In a small saucepan, begin by heating peanut oil over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for about 1 minute, being careful not to let it brown. Garlic is aromatic and savory, and sautéing it in oil infuses the oil with its rich flavor, which will enhance the sauce.

Once the garlic is fragrant, add peanut butter, sriracha, hoisin sauce, water, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, and black pepper. Stir the mixture well and allow it to simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure it doesn’t stick or burn. As the sauce simmers, it will thicken and intensify in flavor. The key here is to allow the sauce to develop a smooth, creamy consistency that will coat the chicken perfectly. If it gets too thick during this time, simply add a little more water to adjust the consistency to your liking.

The final touch is to stir in the lemon juice at the end of cooking. Lemon juice brightens up the entire sauce, providing a fresh, citrusy zing that cuts through the richness of the peanut butter and balances the heat from the sriracha.

Grilling the Satay to Perfection

Now that the chicken is marinated and the sauce is prepared, it’s time to grill. Preheat the grill and place the skewered chicken strips onto the grill. Grill the chicken for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a golden, crispy exterior. The skewers allow the chicken to cook evenly, while the grill gives it that irresistible smoky flavor and slightly charred edges that complement the richness of the sauce.

Grilling the chicken ensures that it remains juicy inside while developing a flavorful, caramelized exterior. The sizzle of the chicken on the grill is the first sign that you’re about to enjoy a truly delicious dish.

Serving the Peanut Butter Sriracha Chicken Satay

Once the chicken is perfectly grilled, it’s time to serve. Place the skewers on a serving platter, and drizzle with any leftover sauce for extra flavor. For an added crunch and texture, garnish the chicken with roasted peanuts. These peanuts provide a lovely contrast to the creamy, spicy chicken, enhancing the dish with a crunchy bite and a nutty flavor that complements the peanut butter in the sauce.

For the dipping sauce, serve the reserved sauce alongside the chicken satay. The dipping sauce is just as flavorful as the marinade, and it’s the perfect accompaniment for each bite of chicken. You can also serve this dish with steamed jasmine rice, a light salad, or grilled vegetables to complete the meal.

Optional Customizations and Variations

While this recipe is delicious as is, there are numerous ways to customize it to suit your tastes. If you prefer a sweeter dish, you can drizzle a little honey or maple syrup over the chicken before grilling. This will add a touch of sweetness that complements the spicy sriracha and creamy peanut butter.

For a different twist, you can add extra seasonings to the marinade, such as chili flakes, turmeric, or cumin. This will give the dish additional layers of flavor and complexity. You could also stuff the chicken with cream cheese or fresh herbs before grilling for an extra surprise inside.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Peanut Butter Sriracha Chicken Satay contains approximately 212 calories, making it a satisfying yet relatively light meal or appetizer. The chicken provides 16 grams of protein, making it a great source of lean protein. The 13 grams of fat, including 2 grams of saturated fat, come from the peanut butter, peanut oil, and sesame oil, contributing to the dish’s creamy texture and rich flavor.

With 9 grams of carbohydrates, including 1 gram of fiber and 5 grams of sugar, this dish is relatively low in carbs, making it suitable for low-carb diets. The sodium content is 543 mg, primarily from the soy sauce and hoisin sauce, so it’s best enjoyed in moderation for those watching their sodium intake.

Conclusion

Peanut Butter Sriracha Chicken Satay is a delightful fusion of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors that are sure to excite your taste buds. The combination of creamy peanut butter, fiery sriracha, and savory soy sauce creates a bold and well-rounded marinade, while grilling the chicken adds a smoky, charred finish. Whether you’re serving this dish as a quick dinner or as an appetizer at your next gathering, it’s bound to be a crowd-pleaser. The dipping sauce enhances the flavor even further, and the roasted peanuts add a crunchy, nutty touch that completes the dish. This recipe is a fantastic option for anyone who loves bold, exciting flavors and wants to impress with minimal effort.